The Villa Graziadio Executive Center Manager of Hospitality & Operations serves as a key leader, partnering closely with the General Manager to oversee day-to-day operations of the University’s full-service guestroom and conference center. This role is responsible for leading event execution, supporting revenue-generating efforts, and ensuring operational excellence, reflective of Pepperdine University’s mission.

Bringing excellence to all aspects of work, this position plays a critical role in delivering a seamless, high-quality guest experience, while assisting in building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders. This role requires an operational leader with expertise in hospitality, event planning and execution, and customer service, with a strong focus on supporting revenue growth initiatives.

Duties

• Events and Hospitality:
  • Lead end-to-end planning and execution of all events, including intake, contracts, catering, A/V support, event set-up and breakdown, invoicing, and payments, ensuring a premium, polished, hospitality-driven guest experience.
  • Provide clear, proactive, and professional communication with clients, team members, stakeholders, and vendors, ensuring an organized, seamless, and high-quality experience.
  • Identify and resolve issues quickly with professionalism and attention to detail.
  • Serve as the primary escalation point for guest and client concerns, ensuring timely and thoughtful resolution.
  • Uphold the highest standards of hospitality, communication, presentation, professionalism, and responsiveness, across all interactions and events. 
• Operations:
  • Partner closely with the General Manager to oversee daily operations and ensure smooth, effective day-to-day operations.
  • Drive execution of operational priorities and service standards in alignment with leadership direction.
  • Act as on-site or on-call operational lead in the absence of, and as requested by, the General Manager.
  • Provide direct oversight and coaching to the Guest Services Coordinator.
  • Coordinate with Facilities, IT, and third-party vendors to maintain excellent guest services and facility standards.
  • Identify and resolve operational gaps with documentation, strong accountability, and follow-through.
  • Foster a collaborative, positive, mission-centered workplace culture.
  • Ensure compliance with University policies, local regulations, and health and safety standards.
• Revenue Generation & Business Development:
  • Support revenue growth through client engagement, relationship management, and business development opportunities.
  • Build and maintain a strong pipeline of corporate, university, and external clients.
  • Identify opportunities to increase occupancy and event bookings in partnership with the General Manager.
  • Partner with the General Manager to develop and execute pricing strategy, event packages, promotions, and revenue optimization.
  • Collaborate on and execute strategic marketing efforts, including social media, email campaigns, website optimization, and promotional materials, to increase and enhance visibility, attract new clients, and support revenue growth. 
• Emergency Response:
  • Serve as a primary point of contact during emergency situations, ensuring leadership responsiveness and presence.
  • Coordinate response efforts and actions with Business Services division and University partners, including Public Safety and Facilities. Support emergency protocols and communication to ensure the safety and well-being of guests and staff. 
• Perform other duties as assigned. 
• Uphold the University mission through all 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.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience or education in hospitality, event management, or a related field.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills.
• Strong organizational abilities and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Availability to work various shifts, including overnight, weekends, and holidays.
• High level of discretion, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Proficiency with event management software and Google systems.
• Positive, solution-oriented, and service-oriented demeanor.
• Commitment to the highest ethical standards and excellence in every aspect of work.
• Passionate commitment to Pepperdine University’s mission, vision, values, and goals.

Preferred:

• Professional hospitality experience.
• Familiarity with Pepperdine University.
• Experience or background in faith-based higher education.

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

Expected Pay Range: $70,304 - $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.