Serves as an advocate for and connector to artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies at Pepperdine University. Under the direction of the Associate CIO, researches AI tools and best practices, promotes successful technology adoption through stories, use cases, events, and recognition programs; and partners with faculty, staff, and students to encourage the effective and responsible use of emerging technologies in support of the University's mission and strategic plan.

Duties

• EVANGELISM, PROMOTION, AND STORYTELLING: Promotes the awareness, adoption, and effective use of AI and other emerging technologies across the University. Captures and shares stories, use cases, and successes of technology adoption at Pepperdine and other institutions through multiple media formats, such as articles, videos, presentations, newsletters, and campus events. Develops and leads staff-focused showcase events, potentially in partnership with the annual Technology and Learning conference. Conducts outreach to departments, teams, and individuals to build awareness, encourage responsible experimentation, and connect community members with appropriate tools, resources, and colleagues. Fosters a culture of solution-focused thinking and continual learning around emerging technologies.
• RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS: Continuously monitors, learns, and synthesizes advancements in AI and other emerging technologies with a focus on higher education applications and best practices. Compiles regular data-driven reports, summaries, and recommendations on upcoming releases, trends, and industry developments for the Associate CIO, IT leadership, and other stakeholders. Reviews programs and practices at other institutions, such as technology grant or stipend initiatives, showcases, and adoption campaigns, and recommends adaptations for Pepperdine. 
• ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING: Develops, tracks, and reports metrics that measure the adoption and impact of AI and other emerging technologies across academic and administrative environments. Collects and analyzes internal departmental data to evaluate the outcomes of technology pilots, grant-funded projects, and adoption initiatives. Creates summaries, reports, and presentations for the Associate CIO, IT leadership, and stakeholders to evaluate successes and identify opportunities for improvement. 
• GRANTS AND RECOGNITION PROGRAMS: Manages and promotes programs that encourage and celebrate the creative use of emerging technologies by staff, such as grants, stipends, and recognition initiatives. Develops program guidelines and participant expectations in coordination with the Associate CIO. Reviews applications and recommends recipients to leadership. Partners with program participants throughout their projects and follows up on expected deliverables, such as papers, presentations, or videos. Showcases program outcomes to the University community.
• STUDENT OUTREACH AND EDUCATION: Develops and delivers educational opportunities that help students build AI and digital literacy skills, such as workshops, training sessions, videos, and self-service learning resources. Partners with student-facing departments and student organizations to identify needs and promote offerings. Captures and shares student success stories related to emerging technologies.
• COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS: Represents Pepperdine and IT in a professional manner when collaborating with internal and external stakeholders. Develops and maintains strong partnerships with campus personnel and departments, as well as with external vendors and service providers, to assure current and future operational success. Builds relationships with faculty champions, staff innovators, and student groups to promote best practices and encourage peer-to-peer mentorship. 
• ADMINISTRATION: Reviews and submits regular, timely, and complete paperwork and processes, such as status reports, bi-weekly or monthly timesheets, assessments for mid-year and annual reviews, and other routine IT and University practices. Keeps personal and shared workspaces clean and organized. 
• COLLABORATION: Provides backup support and assistance to other team members. Collaborates with co-workers and University colleagues on departmental, division-wide, and institutional projects. Shares process information and makes informal recommendations on how to improve processes and overall job execution within the team/department.
• PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Attends training sessions, vendor presentations, user group meetings, conferences, and seminars. Engages regularly in individual professional development-related activities to remain current with industry technology trends and work processes. 
• COMMITTEES AND BEYOND JOB DUTIES: Volunteers to undertake tasks that stretch the employee's capabilities. Serves on various committees within the Information Technology division. Participates in external University committees. Performs other related duties as assigned. 
• UNIVERSITY MISSION: Understands and supports the Christian mission of the University. Upholds the University mission through team, location, atmosphere, and 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:

• Bachelor's degree in a related technical, business, or communications area or equivalent work experience.
• One (1) year of work experience. 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including storytelling and presentation skills.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills needed to work effectively with a wide variety of internal and external constituents.
• Strong decision-making skills and the ability to work under pressure and autonomously.
• Familiarity with generative AI tools and emerging technology trends. 

Preferred:

• Master's Degree, preferably in Communications, Marketing, Computer Science, Information Systems, Business, or related field.
• Three (3) or more years in Information Technology, higher education, communications, or equivalent experience.
• Experience with presentations, training, event coordination, and content creation.
• Experience partnering with stakeholders across multiple business and technical processes.
• Technical skills in Information Technology and data analysis.
• Experience creating multimedia content (e.g., video, graphics, web, or social media).
• Experience planning events, workshops, or training programs.
• Some knowledge of data science, generative AI applications, and formal research.
• Some use of major project management and collaboration software, including MS Office, email, calendaring, emerging collaboration tools (wikis, Google Apps, web conferencing, etc.), and generative AI tools (ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude). 

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

Expected Pay Rate: $70,304 per year

The above pay range reflects what Pepperdine University reasonably expects to pay for this position at the 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.