The Event Manager for Student Engagement maintains and facilitates large-scale, campus-wide traditions and events that contribute to the vibrant and engaged Pepperdine community. This position is responsible for the strategic planning, implementation, and seamless logistics of Student Activities weekend and weeknight events. These events help foster a lively and thriving campus culture where students look forward to and participate in, and eventually become loyal alumni through the efforts of this staff member. As a staff member in Student Affairs who works closely with students, this position serves as a Christian role model and promotes a biblical worldview to students.

Duties

• Event Planning: Plan late-night programming twice a week, reaching approximately 200 - 600 students per event, while ensuring high-quality and engaging weekend events. Market and promote Late Night Lineup on all social media and relevant university platforms. Coordinate large-scale campus traditions (fall and spring New Student Orientation (NSO), Waves Weekend (family and alumni weekend), Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, Dance in Flight, and Late Night Breakfast) through collaborative partnerships with various campus departments. Collaborate with campus partners (e.g., Bon Appetit, Campus Recreation, Public Safety, Facilities, Student Employment, etc.) to ensure fully realized, well-coordinated, and mission-aligned events. Responsible for all phases of assigned events, including communications, logistics, delegation, and pre/post-event follow-up.
• Implementation and Execution: Execute high-quality and engaging events that nurture ongoing relationships with various external event vendors, internal departments, and volunteer groups, promoting a harmonious and collaborative spirit. Facilitate events on behalf of the Student Activities department and the division of Student Affairs. Manage innovative events and activities that are centered around hospitality and community engagement. Serve as an on-site presence, ensuring a seamless execution of the event while fostering a sense of belonging. Provide clear communication so all parties are informed about deadlines and schedules, including floor plan submissions, insurance requirements, permitting, and other relevant event details. Be available and willing to work nights and weekends.
• Student Development: Supervise student leaders and collaborate with part-time staff and graduate assistants who execute and promote the weekend programming. Supervise and mentor students in leadership roles such as Orientation Coordinators and Leaders, Dance in Flight company members, and department interns. Empower, train, and lead students to execute high-quality, large-scale events that connect their peers to each other while strengthening their own connection to the university. Facilitate and implement ongoing student feedback to improve events and tailor programs to meet students' needs. Participate in ongoing assessment projects with Student Activities staff. Assist with data collection, assessment meetings, and writing program reports, as well as pertinent sections of the Student Activities annual report.
• Budget Management: Manage and oversee the budget for late-night programming, ensuring that events are lively and engaging, while being a good steward of funds. Track and organize transactions for the multiple campus tradition budgets, and report accurate estimates for future expenses. Make purposeful decisions in event expenses to meet revenue goals and program expectations.
• Support Student Activities: Attend weekly staff meetings and serve as staff support at other Student Activities groups and programs such as Fraternity & Sorority Life (FSL), Inter-club Council (ICC), Student Government Association (SGA), Student Programming Board (the Board), and transfers and commuters. Act as support staff for department and division events.
• Support the Hub for Spiritual Life by participating in various spiritual life programs, including Seaver 200.
• 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.
• Two years of event planning experience.
• Experience in fast paced office environment.
• Ability to integrate Christian faith with student development theories and practice.
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills; excellent administrative, organizational, event management and planning skills; strong analytical skills, ability to work collaboratively as a team member; ability to interact effectively with staff and students.
• Personal faith in Jesus Christ; active involvement in a local church; demonstrated support for the Christian mission of the University.
• Must be able to work nights and weekends.
• Experience with Google Mail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Microsoft Word, Excel, various social media platforms.

Preferred:

• Experience producing dance or theater productions.
• Experience mentoring and training others.
• Experience working in a University setting planning and implementing large programs (such as orientation, family weekend, and student events).
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects and deadlines; ability to maintain a professional demeanor and uphold confidentiality; ability to problem solve and manage conflict; ability to effectively manage University resources; ability to create inclusive and accessible student learning and development experiences and to build thriving intercultural communities.
• Proficiency with Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Photoshop and Illustrator, and Campus Groups.

This is a Regular, 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 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.