The Marketing Communications Specialist serves as a member of the Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) team and reports to the Associate Director of Alumni Marketing and Communications. In collaboration with the Associate Director and key university stakeholders, this role supports the University’s marketing and communications efforts by implementing initiatives that engage alumni across all six schools of Pepperdine University.

The Specialist assists with the research, development, drafting, coordination, delivery, and reporting of alumni marketing and communications initiatives. This includes executing campaigns and producing communications across digital, email, web, and social media platforms that inform, connect, and inspire alumni.

Using qualitative and quantitative data, the Marketing Communications Specialist helps evaluate the effectiveness of outreach efforts and supports continuous improvement in messaging, content, and engagement tactics. Through thoughtful execution of communications and the effective use of marketing tools and analytics, this role contributes to strengthening the alumni community and fostering enduring alumni loyalty to Pepperdine University, encouraging alumni support through their time, talents, and financial gifts.

Duties

• Marketing and Communications:
  • Research, draft, coordinate, implement, and support alumni marketing communications activities and campaigns across email, print, and digital channels.
  • Support messaging development and assist with email journeys using Marketing Cloud.
  • Conduct A/B testing and assist in reviewing performance data for reporting.
  • Coordinate production of newsletters, emails, flyers, brochures, and event communications in collaboration with IMC partners. 
• Digital Content and Social Media:
  • Create and draft content for social media, webpages, and digital platforms that are in alignment with the University's values, mission, style, and brand identity standards.
  • Contribute to social media content calendar. Collaborate with Editorial, Media Production, Social Media, PR teams to maximize storytelling opportunities and reach.
  • Assist with still and video production and coordination. 
• Data Analytics and Performance Monitoring:
  • Assist in collecting, organizing, and analyzing engagement data from Marketing Cloud, Sprout Social, and other analytics platforms.
  • Support preparation of performance reports for email, web, and social media channels.
  • Contribute insights that support ongoing improvement of alumni engagement efforts.
• Website Content Management:
  • Maintain and update university websites, including drafting and coordinating content such as alumni spotlights, event pages, resource updates, lifelong learning content, and calendar listings.
  • Ensure accuracy and timely updates in coordination with internal stakeholders. 
• Event Marketing:
  • Support event-related marketing and logistics efforts in collaboration with Alumni Affairs and event partners.
  • Use Cvent for event registration setup and management, including customized registration forms, guest communication, and data collection. 
• Student Worker Coordination
  • Assist in training and coordination of student intern or student worker (budget allowing) as needed. 
• Other duties as assigned
• Uphold the university's mission through work performed. 

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

Required:

• A bachelor's degree.
• 1-3 years of experience in marketing, communications, or related field (internships may be considered).
• Understanding of how alumni engagement contributes to or correlates with donor cultivation and successful fundraising for the University. The individual should have full awareness of the positive impact that good public relations has on the cultivation process of current and prospective donors for Pepperdine University. The future financial stability and growth of Pepperdine lies in the hands of our generous donors, many of whom are alumni.
• Commitment to the University mission and goals.
• Robust communication skill set for leading student and alumni volunteers locally and regionally.
• Strong public speaking skills.
• Personable, service-driven guest service skills: warmly greeting office visitors; demonstrating polite, friendly, professional, and helpful telephone etiquette; energetically engaging constituents at events.
• Should also be a self-starter who takes initiative to further the goals of the department by continually conceptualizing, coordinating, and implementing new and innovative offerings for our students and alumni.
• Able to prioritize a myriad of assignments such that deadlines are ultimately met without constant supervision.
• Comfortable with coordinating volunteers and a team of interns, student employees, and full-time staff to coach and lead them to success as they support various alumni engagement efforts.
• Willingness to work evenings and weekends.
• Ability and willingness to load/unload/carry/set up event supplies up to 50 lbs. with or without a reasonable accommodation.
• Able to demonstrate expertise with PC usage, Microsoft Office tools, Google Apps (Google Docs/Sheets/Calendars/etc).
• Ability to adapt quickly to new tools, systems, and processes.
• Familiarity with popular social media networks (i.e., Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X) for optimizing our ability to connect alumni with the University and one another.

Preferred:

• (3-5) years experience (post-undergraduate graduation) in full-time roles related to key functions/duties of this position (marketing/communication; event/project management; administrative marketing support).
• Experience working with student and alumni volunteers on behalf of a college or university
• Knowledge of Pepperdine University software/tools such as The Raiser's Edge, OmniUpdate (website editing/management), Trumba, and/or Salesforce.

This is a Regular, Nonexempt, 40 hour per week position that may be considered for hybrid or remote work in accordance with the University Policy Manual.

Expected Pay Range: $27.25 - $30.28 per hour 

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.

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.