The Employee Recruitment Manager plays a vital role in advancing Pepperdine University’s mission by attracting, engaging, and hiring exceptional individuals who embody the University’s values and commitment to service. This position leads strategic recruitment initiatives, builds strong partnerships with leaders and HR business partners, and develops innovative sourcing strategies to cultivate a mission-centered workforce that supports Pepperdine’s academic excellence and Christ-centered mission.

Serving as both a strategic subject matter expert and relationship-builder, the Employee Recruitment Manager enhances Pepperdine’s employer brand, fosters meaningful connections with prospective employees and campus partners, and ensures an equitable, engaging, and values-driven hiring experience.

Duties

• Recruitment & Talent Strategy: Develop and implement talent acquisition strategies aligned with the University's mission, values, and long-term goals. Collaborate with HR business partners and department heads to understand staffing needs and provide recruitment solutions. Drive process improvements in recruitment practices to ensure consistency, equity, and a positive candidate experience. Support the development of policies and practices that promote inclusive, mission-centric hiring.
• Candidate Sourcing & Screening: Source and attract the best employees for Pepperdine by proactively engaging with higher education networks, professional associations, community organizations, and digital platforms to build diverse and mission-aligned candidate pipelines that meet the University's current and future staffing needs. Evaluate candidates for alignment with required qualifications and Pepperdine's mission. Conduct informational interviews with prospective applicants to build long-term relationships and assess potential alignment with future opportunities. Oversee and continuously improve the employee and alumni referral program to strengthen internal networks and attract high-quality candidates.
• Employer Branding & Outreach: Enhance the University's employer brand by promoting Pepperdine's compelling employee value proposition. Build and maintain relationships with Pepperdine's career development offices, higher education networks, and professional associations. Represent the University at career fairs, networking events, and industry conferences. Partner with the Alumni Affairs Office to recruit Pepperdine graduates and build a talent pipeline across all six schools. Develop recruitment marketing materials in partnership with Pepperdine Integrated Marketing Communications department.
• Temporary Pool Oversight: Manage the University's temporary talent pool. Review and vet applicants. Make recommendations to hiring managers based on hiring managers' needs and temporary pool members' qualifications.
• Compliance & Best Practices: Stay updated on trends and best practices in talent acquisition, higher education employment, and targeted recruitment strategies. Monitor hiring metrics and provide data-driven recommendations for process improvements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• 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:

• Bachelor's degree.
• 2-3 years' experience in recruitment, talent acquisition, or sourcing, preferably within higher education organization or a related sector.
• Proficiency in recruitment marketing tools and software.
• Ability to manage multiple searches and projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills; Strong customer service and interpersonal skills; Strong attention to detail; Strong critical thinking and analytical skills; Ability to use discretion when handling sensitive and confidential issues, ability to organize and prioritize changing workload, ability to work harmoniously, professionally, and effectively with co-workers and supervisors.
• Supportive of the University’s Christian mission; Ability to integrate the University's Christian mission with HR practice.
• Proficient in MS Word, PowerPoint, and Excel; Proficient in Google Workspace.
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with employees.
• Ability to anticipate and identify problems and use sound judgment and fact-based analysis to develop effective and efficient solutions.
• Demonstrated application of judgment based on experience and knowledge.

Preferred:

• Previous experience in higher education.
• Previous affiliation with Pepperdine University.
• Experience with PageUp ATS, Clinch, PeopleSoft, and/or LinkedIn Recruiter.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor and train staff.

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

Expected Pay Range: $68,640 - $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.