Reporting to the director of marketing and communications (CSOL) within Integrated Marketing Communications, the Marketing Communications Manager provides day-to-day marketing and communications leadership and support for the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution and related programs and initiatives. The position is responsible for planning, developing, coordinating, and executing marketing and communications activities that promote the Institute's programs, accomplishments, events, faculty, students, alumni, and areas of expertise to internal and external audiences.

The position serves as a primary marketing communications contact for the Straus Institute and works closely with Institute leadership, faculty, and staff to identify communications needs, develop appropriate messaging, and coordinate projects from concept through completion. The position collaborates with Integrated Marketing Communications colleagues and other University partners to ensure communications are consistent with Pepperdine University's brand, messaging, and strategic priorities.

Responsibilities include content development, website and digital communications, email marketing, social media, print and digital collateral, event promotion, and coordination of marketing projects. The position also works with University partners and external vendors, as appropriate, to execute communications initiatives and ensure projects are delivered accurately, efficiently, and on schedule.

The Marketing Communications Manager exercises independent judgment within established University and IMC guidelines and provides recommendations to improve the effectiveness, consistency, and reach of Straus Institute communications. Significant strategic, budgetary, policy, or reputational decisions are made in consultation with the appropriate IMC and Institute leadership.

Duties

• Marketing Communications & Content Strategy:
  • Develop, plan, and execute comprehensive marketing and communications content tailored to Straus Institute initiatives.
  • Write and edit high-quality content across diverse mediums, including high-impact blog writing, long-form stories, articles, and newsletters such as Common Ground.
  • Exercise strong editorial judgment, discretion, and tone alignment.
  • Market analysis capabilities required to assess competitive trends, identify key audiences, and build targeted marketing plans.
• Digital, Email Systems & Web Content Management
  • Manage website updates, page edits, and online content freshness via web CMS.
  • Oversee digital communication distributions using institutional email systems (Salesforce / Marketing Cloud), applying email best practices for template design, list segmenting, and deliverability.
  • Act as the primary team liaison for Cvent event registration platforms. Maintain technical proficiency and hands-on operational knowledge ("hard skills") in modern AI tools and technology to optimize workflows.
• Social Media & Audience Engagement
  • Direct operational management of dedicated channels including the Straus Institute LinkedIn page.
  • Collaborate closely with central communications teams for cross-promotion and representation on the primary Law School Instagram account and other university social profiles.
  • Conduct basic analytics monitoring to measure audience reach and strategy success.
• Events & Program Marketing
  • Develop and coordinate marketing and communications support for Straus Institute events, conferences, programs, and special initiatives.
  • Create promotional plans and materials, coordinate event communications, and work with event and program stakeholders to ensure communications needs are identified and addressed in a timely manner.
  • Provide in-person marketing and communications support at select events and programs, including event setup, on-site coordination, photography/content needs, and other communications-related activities.
  • Travel as needed to support Straus Institute events, conferences, and programs at locations beyond the primary campus.
• Social Media & External Communications
  • Coordinate social media content and other external communications that highlight the work, expertise, programs, faculty, students, and accomplishments of the Straus Institute.
  • Work with University Marketing and Communications colleagues, as appropriate, on media opportunities, public-facing content, and communications initiatives.
• Research, Analytics & Continuous Improvement
  • Monitor and evaluate marketing and communications activity using available data, analytics, and audience feedback.
  • Conduct research and make recommendations to improve communications effectiveness, audience engagement, and the visibility of Straus Institute programs and initiatives.
• 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 required, preferably in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, business, or a related field.
• Three or more years of related marketing, communications, content development, or higher education experience required or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Writing, Editorial & Content Strategy
  • Editorial Excellence: Superior writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with demonstrated discretion when handling sensitive institutional communications.
  • Multi-Channel Publishing: Proven ability to create clear, engaging content across mediums, including high-impact blog posts, long-form feature writing, and newsletter production (e.g., Common Ground).
  • Market Planning: Ability to analyze market position, evaluate target audience segments, translate organizational goals into messaging, and construct actionable marketing plans.
• Digital, Technical & Media Skills
  • Email & Digital Systems: Strong operational knowledge of email marketing best practices (Salesforce/Marketing Cloud), web content management systems, and event management platforms (serving as Cvent liaison).
  • AI & Emerging Technologies: Practical, applied working knowledge ("hard skills") of modern AI platforms and digital tools to streamline workflows and enhance asset creation.
  • On-Set Media Production: Hands-on experience directing shots, coordinating creative execution, and managing logistics on photo and video production sets
• Project Leadership & Operational Execution
  • Project & Time Management: Exceptional organizational skills with a proven ability to independently manage competing priorities, complex projects, and tight deadlines with strong attention to detail.
  • Collaboration & Stakeholder Relations: Highly collaborative approach with strong interpersonal skills to work effectively with faculty, university leadership, campus partners, and external vendors.
  • Judgment & Institutional Alignment: Exercises sound judgment and discretion within established university policies, procedures, and brand standards, maintaining a strong commitment to Pepperdine University's mission, values, and Christian heritage.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, web content management systems, email marketing platforms, project management software, and other University systems (Salesforce, Marketing Cloud or similar email system, PeopleSoft, OmniUpdate, Mac). 
  
  

Preferred:

• Experience managing marketing and communications projects in a higher education, nonprofit, professional services, or similar environment.
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders, managing competing priorities, and coordinating projects from concept through completion.
• Experience in higher education marketing and communications.
• Experience developing communications plans or content strategies.
• Familiarity with integrated marketing communications practices and University brand standards.
• Experience coordinating vendors or external creative partners.
• Knowledge of marketing analytics and audience engagement measurement.
• Experience supporting enrollment, advancement, academic, or professional program marketing.
• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Cloud or similar creative software.
• Proficiency with Adobe Suite (e.g. Photoshop, Illustrator}, survey software.

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

Expected Pay Range: $32.69 - $34.61 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.