The Ken Starr Institute for Faith, Law, and Public Service (Starr Institute) at the Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law seeks a dynamic leader and creative thinker to serve as the Starr Institute’s Managing Director. The Managing Director will be responsible for advancing the Starr Institute’s commitment to provide law students with a transformative educational experience, to support the Christian mission of the University, and to cultivate a community of scholars and practitioners dedicated to the pursuit of justice, upholding the rule of law, and serving the nation and the world with integrity and compassion through the lens of faith.

The Starr Institute’s Managing Director will be responsible for managing and leading the educational programming, operations, administration, and fundraising efforts of the Institute. This position reports to the Dean. The Managing Director will be an integral part of the law school community. The ideal candidate is a dynamic, energetic leader with a strong commitment to excellence in education, scholarship, and law practice. The candidate will have a strong interest in elevating scholarly discussion on faith and the law and initiating real-world opportunities to advocate for religious expression and the rights of religious believers from a broad spectrum of faith traditions in public life.

Duties

• Develop and execute a comprehensive strategic plan, as well as business and marketing plans, that enhance the Starr Institute's influence and reputation on a national and global scale including, but not limited to, our campuses in Switzerland and Washington D.C. Lead the Starr Institute's advancement efforts, including fundraising, donor relations, and strategic partnerships, to secure financial support for its mission and programs. Develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies, including grant writing, major gift cultivation, and stewardship initiatives.
• Collaborate with faculty, students, project directors, and other stakeholders to design, produce, and implement the Starr Institute's innovative educational and practice programs across its core areas of education, scholarship, and practical impact. Sustain and further develop the Starr Institute's identity as a global leader in religious liberty.
• Lead the Starr Institute's professional staff, including by working with them to assess their needs, conducting staff evaluations, facilitating staff meetings and trainings, receiving feedback from staff, and building community. Promote and enhance the Starr Institute's relations with others in the law school and university (student groups, faculty, centers, alumni) and across the country and globally, representing the Institute at Pepperdine, nationally, and internationally. Oversee the Starr Institute's communications strategy to promote a robust online presence through press releases, newsletters, website updates, and social media engagement. Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Starr Institute, ensuring efficient and cost-effective project management.
• Manage the Starr Institute's finances, including researching funding opportunities; preparation of grant proposals and budgets and financial reports; tracking expenditures and meeting appropriate deadlines; collaborating on the annual budget for the Institute; processing invoices; reconciling expenses; overseeing Institute spending.
• 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 and Juris Doctor degree.
• Minimum of 3 years of related work experience.
• Excellent interpersonal, administrative, and organizational skills, and a commitment to a collaborative work style.
• Ability to function independently and to exercise discretion and judgment in sensitive matters.
• Ability to identify and respond to the needs of the organization, initiate work and follow through with minimal supervision, be part of a collegial team, adapt to changing priorities, balance competing assignments, and maintain a deep personal commitment and ability to work in mutually empowering partnerships.

Preferred:

• Demonstrated commitment to and participation in legal practice, especially in the areas of law and religion.
• 5 or more years of work experience in a related legal field
• Experience in and aptitude for an entrepreneurial approach to leadership.
• Strong strategic planning, operational, and financial management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities, with a track record of building collaborative relationships.
  
  

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. 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, Exempt, 40 hour per week position.

Expected Pay Range: $110,000 - $125,000 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.