The Pepperdine Caruso School of Law’s Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution and Graduate Law Programs seeks a student-focused, team-centered professional to serve as Assistant Director of Student Success. Operating as the primary point of contact for student advising, this role delivers data-driven academic guidance to both online and on-ground students pursuing a degree or certificate.
The ideal candidate is a dynamic individual who can inspire a diverse student body—including mid-career professionals and international students—as they navigate academic requirements and professional goals. This role provides strategic, one-on-one coaching to help maximize the student experience and satisfaction. Due to the global nature of the student body, this position requires scheduling flexibility to accommodate students operating across various time zones. Additionally, this role participates in the logistics, planning, and execution of New Student Orientation, registration, and graduation processes.
This position will work closely with several Directors in the office and will report to the Judge Danny Weinstein Managing Director of the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution.

Duties

• Serve as the primary point of contact for academic advising, student success initiatives, and general student inquiries across graduate law programs:
  • Conduct advising sessions to guide students through degree requirements and completion timelines by analyzing Degree Audit Reports (DAR) and establishing individual study templates.
  • Evaluate student course enrollment choices to ensure they align directly with their long-term professional development goals.
• Analyze student academic and engagement data to deliver proactive guidance, track trends, and implement timely interventions. Oversee the registration and course enrollment processes each semester for both online and on-ground graduate law students. Conduct mandatory advising meetings with students during their initial term and final semester to confirm graduation readiness. Maintain a flexible schedule that accommodates a diverse student body living across various US and global time zones.
• Assist with the logistics, planning, and execution for major student milestones including New Student Orientation, registration windows, and graduation events. Facilitate arrival logistics, welcome initiatives, and specialized onboarding support tailored to specific student populations.
• Revise student handbooks annually and educate students regarding institutional policies, academic deadlines, and university resources.
• Execute proactive outreach to struggling, unresponsive, or inactive students to resolve academic challenges or re-engage them in their studies.
• Oversee and actively respond to incoming communications through the strausstudentinfo@pepperdine.edu and graduatelaw@pepperdine.edu service inboxes.
• Perform other related duties and special projects as assigned by department leadership.
• Uphold University 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:

• Master’s degree in a related field and 3 years of experience in academic advising, student affairs, or higher education administration, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Exceptional active listening skills coupled with a strong ability to empathize with students managing a rigorous legal curriculum.
• Proven capability to effectively support and engage with a diverse population of non-traditional, adult learners.
• High level of comfort utilizing web-conferencing platforms (such as Zoom), Google Suite, and various educational technologies.

Preferred:

• 5+ years of professional experience in academic advising, student affairs, or higher education administration.
• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. 
• Prior experience or familiarity working within the field of law or dispute resolution is strongly preferred.

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

Expected Pay Range: $70,500 - $75,000 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.

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.