The Manager of Community Engagement and Service is responsible for developing, growing, and administering the university’s community partnership and volunteer relationships with a broad variety of nonprofit organizations, churches, and community-serving agencies.

In collaboration with the Director of Community Engagement and Service, this position is responsible for executing the Director’s strategic vision for service that engages the Pepperdine community with the university’s priority of loving God and loving neighbor. This position exists to support the work of Community Engagement and Service in providing programs that engage students, faculty, and staff in vibrant, consistent experiences of spiritual life and service. The Manager works to develop, create, and maintain a meaningful environment that fosters the university community’s awareness of service, stewardship, justice and sustainable change. This role also identifies and develops avenues for university employees to engage in community impact work.

Bringing excellence to all aspects of work and providing exceptional service, this position works directly with multiple areas within the university. Serving as a central representative of Community Engagement and Service, the Manager employs professional and timely communication, initiative, hospitality, organization, and efficiency, and is directly responsible for timely administering events, programs, and routine processes.

This role supports Community Engagement and Service by developing and meeting departmental goals and priorities through collaboration, initiative, and follow-through. This position works directly with university departments, nonprofit partners, community groups, and vendors to communicate priorities, develop partnerships, write communications and reports, collaborate and complete projects, host events, and otherwise assist as needed. As a staff member in the Hub for Spiritual Life, they will collaborate with the Hub on programs including retreats, student training programs, leadership development, and crisis response. This person serves as a Christian role model and is an active member of a local church.

Duties

• In collaboration with the Director, execute the strategic vision for service engaging the Pepperdine community with the University's priority of loving God and loving neighbor with purpose, service, and leadership. Develop, plan, implement, and improve service programs that foster students' stewardship, justice, community engagement, and sustainable change skills. This will include collaboration with Graduate Schools and the Seaver College Dean's Office and faculty in support of volunteer projects, community based research, and service-learning activities. Develop, plan, and implement service programs that provide University employees with opportunities to explore, strengthen, and grow in their faith and application of the University's mission.
• Meet regularly with nonprofit and campus partners to develop positive and collaborative working relationships with key stakeholders. Provide timely communications with nonprofit partners and colleagues on pertinent information impacting their areas. Explore and develop new partnerships to deliver on the University's priorities of community impact as part of each school's curriculum and co-curriculum. Oversee the daily and routine processes for Community Engagement and Service, to ensure expectations are met at the highest standard of excellence, including: Support the Director of Community Engagement and Service to manage a team of approximately 20 student staff; Hire, supervise, train, and evaluate student workers. Mentor student leaders to engage their peers in service. Promote student and volunteer morale to increase participation in community service work among Pepperdine students and employees. Design and execute high-quality events, including: trainings, informational workshops, appreciation events, and celebrations.
• Manage office inquiries by phone and email; General administrative support to the Office.
• Maintain, prioritize, and administer high-level project and task management to monitor partnerships and initiatives to successful completion; Co-develop priorities and goals of Community Engagement and Service, and communicate priorities to department, university stakeholders, and community partners in a timely and efficient manner; Meet assigned deadlines; Plan for growth in Community Engagement and Service, and manage strategic initiatives in alignment with the area's overall goals. Initiate methods for data collection to determine program impact; Record and prepare data for annual reviews and to identify areas for improvement; Support the Director in the development and implementation of assessment and evaluation plans; incorporate assessment data into the development of ongoing strategic goals, objectives, and key results.
• Serve as a representative of Community Engagement and Service and the Hub for Spiritual Life within and outside of the university, including: communicate on behalf of the university professionally regarding nonprofit, partnership, or volunteer inquiries, including identifying and directing collaboration requests to the appropriate party/parties promptly and efficiently; Compose professional correspondence and presentations; Meet with internal and external stakeholders regarding service-learning, volunteer, research, and community impact opportunities; Assist during community emergencies and crises; Host events and well represent the division at various events; Professionally interact with positions at all levels, etc.
• Provide assistance to the Director of Community Engagement and Service, including: implementation of events, projects, reports, and communications; Benchmark and research best practices for continuous improvement; Serve as a first point of contact to assist nonprofit partners, university schools and divisions, students, and faculty to develop projects, partnerships, and research with nonprofit partners; Develop, edit, review, and provide informative and persuasive presentations to all levels of university stakeholders. Willingness to work on weekends and evenings and travel locally using personal vehicle when necessary to attend spiritual life programing events.
• 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 professional or educational experience with one year of experience in the nonprofit sector, faith-based higher education, or a related field. Passionate commitment to Pepperdine University and its mission, vision, values, and goals. Commitment to the highest ethical standards, with personal and professional character and integrity beyond reproach. Exceptional aptitude for customer service. Appropriate sense of urgency and responsiveness. Ability to meet deadlines and manage competing priorities. Collaborative approach to work with a demonstrated ability to build relationships with a variety of personalities and work styles. Exceptional project management, organization, planning, and time management skills. Excellent oral communication skills. Superior written communication. Superior attention to detail. Ability to quickly learn new processes and procedures and adapt to assignment changes. Ability to work both independently and as part of a team. Creative and solutions-oriented approach to problem-solving. High levels of initiative and a proactive approach to work. Commitment to excellence in every aspect of work. Joyful and optimistic demeanor. Familiarity and knowledge of Google suite. Familiarity and knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint). General office familiarity with printers, scanners, copiers, phone systems, fax machines, etc.

Preferred: Three years of professional or educational experience in student development, nonprofit leadership, or a related field. Familiarity with Pepperdine University. Experience or background in faith-based higher education.

Qualified individuals should be able to articulate a strong commitment to diversity, 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. Qualified individuals with criminal histories will be considered for employment in compliance with applicable laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance.

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

Expected Pay Range: $29.80 - $31.73 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.