Pepperdine University seeks a dynamic and visionary Associate Provost for University Career Services to provide strategic leadership for career development across the institution. This role will expand career development services by building cohesion across the career centers in the university’s six schools and serving as a key partner to the Provost, academic deans, Alumni Affairs, and other departments engaged in these efforts.

This role will expand employer and corporate relations and strengthen alumni career engagement. By fostering meaningful connections among students, alumni, and employers, this position will ensure graduates are well-prepared to achieve successful and fulfilling careers while advancing the university’s commitment to student success and professional readiness.

Duties

This role provides strategic leadership and coordination as the university-level liaison for the schools’ career centers, establishing a comprehensive, institution-wide career services function. Reporting to the Provost, the Associate Provost will be responsible for:

• Strategic Leadership & Vision: Develops and implements a forward-looking strategic plan for career services that aligns with the University’s mission, anticipates workforce trends, and positions the institution as a leader in career development. In partnership with school-level leadership, analyze career outcomes data to inform strategic decisions, demonstrate impact, and drive continuous improvement through robust assessment of student engagement, employer partnerships, and post-graduation success. On a practical level, this role will liaise with various university departments to elevate the career services offices and ensure effective partnerships.
• External Partnerships & Pipeline Development: Proactively builds and stewards relationships with a diverse range of employers and industry leaders to create robust internship, job, and experiential learning opportunities. This position develops and manages employer pipelines, collaborating with our corporate partnerships team in Integrated Marketing and Communications, to meet industry talent needs and champions the integration of experiential learning into the student experience. Partners with Advancement and Alumni Affairs to cultivate strong alumni relationships, leveraging their expertise to create mentorship opportunities and identify career pathways for current students.
• Career Center Coordination & Collaboration: Establish and lead a committee composed of the school career centers to foster collaboration, share best practices, and coordinate employer relations. This role collaborates closely with academic deans, department chairs, and faculty to integrate career development into the curriculum.
• Communication & Marketing: In collaboration with the Integrated Marketing Communications team, creates and executes comprehensive communication strategies to promote career services resources and opportunities to students, faculty, staff, alumni, and employers.
• Benchmarking & Best Practices: Continuously researches and benchmarks against best practices in higher education and the evolving labor market to ensure the University remains at the forefront of career opportunities and mobility for students and graduates. This role will be charged with increasing Pepperdine’s national reputation as a leading university in career outcomes.
• Budget & Technology Management: Manages the University-level career services budget with strong financial acumen, including forecasting and resource allocation. The Associate Provost will also oversee the strategic exploration and implementation of best-in-class technology platforms (e.g., Handshake, CRM systems) to enhance student and employer engagement and streamline operations.

The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Skills and Qualifications

• Master’s degree required; Ph.D. or Ed.D. preferred, in a relevant field such as Higher Education Administration, Counseling, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• 7+ years of progressive leadership experience in career services within a university setting, with demonstrated experience overseeing multiple teams or centers.
• Proven expertise in strategic planning, program development, and outcomes assessment in career services.
• Active or a leader in national career industry organizations with an excellent understanding of current career development theories, best practices, and labor market trends.
• Demonstrated success in building and maintaining strong relationships with employers, alumni, and other external partners.
• Experience with data management, analysis, and reporting for career services.
• A demonstrated commitment to and ability to advance the Christian Mission of Pepperdine, along with the ability to communicate the importance of spiritual development alongside professional development throughout one’s lifetime.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively engage diverse stakeholders. Exceptional ability to create a compelling vision for career services to diverse stakeholders, including senior leadership, deans, faculty, alumni, and employers.
• Strong leadership and management skills, with a track record of building and motivating high-performing teams. Proven ability to effectively lead and manage organizational change in a complex higher education environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a complex, decentralized university environment.
• Advanced technological fluency, with a comprehensive understanding of career services management systems, data analytics tools, and virtual engagement platforms.
• An entrepreneurial spirit with the ability to identify and capitalize on new opportunities for growth and partnership.
• Expert knowledge of career development theories and coaching methodologies to effectively guide both students and career services staff.
• Knowledge of relevant federal, state, and university policies and regulations related to student employment, internships, and data privacy (e.g., FERPA).

This is a Regular, Exempt, 40 hour per week position.

Expected Pay Range: $160,000-$180,000 per year

The above pay range reflects what Pepperdine University reasonably expects to pay for this position at time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on relevant factors such as work experience, market conditions, education/training, and skill level. In addition to base pay, Pepperdine offers a robust and highly competitive benefits package.

Although applications will be accepted until the time that a new Associate Provost is appointed, candidates should submit application materials consisting of a CV/resume and a letter of interest addressed to the Associate Provost Search Committee by November 21, 2025, for most favorable consideration. In the letter of interest, candidates should specifically address their experiences and qualities that would be valuable in this role at Pepperdine, as well as thoughtfully respond to the University’s Christian Mission.

Nominations, expressions of interest, and applications should be submitted to PepperdineAP@carterbaldwin.com. Confidential inquiries and questions concerning this search may be directed to:

Bill Peterson
Partner
678.448.0013
bpeterson@carterbaldwin.com

Stephanie Steele, PhD
Consultant
678.894.1200
ssteele@carterbaldwin.com

Pepperdine is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Pepperdine is committed to providing a work environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment. Engaging in unlawful discrimination or harassment will result in appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the University.

Pepperdine is religiously affiliated with the Churches of Christ. It is the purpose of Pepperdine to pursue the very highest employment and academic standards within a context that celebrates and extends the spiritual and ethical ideals of the Christian faith. While students, faculty, and staff represent many religious backgrounds, Pepperdine is permitted under applicable law and reserves the right to seek, hire, and promote persons who support the goals and mission of the institution, including the right to prefer co-religionists who support Pepperdine's Christian mission.

Qualified individuals should be able to show respect for workplace differences, and have the ability to work effectively with individuals from different backgrounds.

Offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal, education, and employment screening. The University conducts such screenings in compliance with applicable laws and with the objectives of evaluating risk and supporting a safe environment for students, faculty, staff, and guests; safeguarding key University assets including people, property, information, and the University’s reputation; and providing comprehensive job-related information to University leaders to enable them to make prudent hiring decisions. Individuals will be required to disclose any criminal convictions on a designated form after receiving a conditional offer of employment; failure to disclose accurate information may result in withdrawal of the offer or termination of employment. Qualified individuals with criminal histories will be considered for employment in compliance with applicable laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance.