The Program Manager provides high-level administrative leadership, planning, and operational oversight for the Pepperdine University School of Public Policy Master of Middle East Policy Studies (MMEPS) program. This position is responsible for managing core academic, student, faculty, operational functions that are essential to the integrity and compliance of the program.

Duties

• ACADEMIC PROCESS ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORT: Provide comprehensive support and guidance for the academic program across the full academic process. Oversight of each term's academic needs and requirements, including book orders; ensuring courses (and faculty) are fully supported during the term; administer proctored examinations and grading deadlines. Manage processes for student records and enrollment including registration, petitions, and academic standing changes. Maintain the course catalog to ensure program compliance with jurisdictional, accreditor, and federal requirements and build the course schedule.
• STUDENT SERVICES/ACADEMIC ADVISING: Support prospective and current students through their admission or academic journey. Counsel and provide support options for students on academic probation. Oversee and process all student requests for additional support, leaves, and petitions. Manage degree audit reports, tracing student progress to ensure satisfactory completion of all academic requirements. Responsible for developing and implementing student retention strategies.
• FACULTY SUPPORT AND MANAGEMENT: Organize and plan course schedules each term. Coordinate and support faculty onboarding and prepare faculty contracts in coordination with university processes. Ensure faculty have access to the materials and resources necessary to support their teaching and research including class roster preparation. Process and verify faculty payments and reimbursements. Prepare, oversee, and administer course evaluations. Support and train faculty on technical systems.
• ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT: Oversee operations of the MMEPS program, including all administrative aspects of office management. Preparing and managing business correspondence and maintaining office calendars. Process purchase orders, expense reports; and vendor payments. Prepare budgetary reallocations and substantiations for faculty, the Vice Chancellor and Managing Director, and operations staff. Plan program events, including coordinating event logistics and resources, and serving as the on-site staff.
• TECHNOLOGY: Develop and execute technology initiatives including classroom software, website updates, and content operations. Administer course evaluations using the university platform. Conduct data validation and regression testing; build tables, reports, and queries for CRM and ERP systems; manage space scheduling reservations; and develop business processes and best practices for technology operations.
• 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 in the areas of business, communications, liberal arts, or related fields, with a strong emphasis in English and language arts.
• Highly motivated, efficient team member with at least 1-2 years experience as an office administrator; with a proven track record of making independent decisions.
• 1-2 years strategic planning and project management experience with results in assessment, budget management, and technology implementation.
• Ability to analyze broadly define policies/activities and formulate plans for implementation.
• Effective communication skills, oral and written, including editing and writing ability.
• Knowledge and experience in administration and institutional management; strong interpersonal and public relations skills; ability to initiate and take independent action; planning and organizing both short-range and long-range goals and objectives.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office, Adobe, and Google suite products including spreadsheet programs, and email systems.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree or 2 or more years in a comparable position.
• 2 years of managerial experience; experience in public relations and marketing.
• Experience with software for admissions and recruitment a plus, including CRM databases and on-line admission applications; ERP student and finance systems; LMS course delivery programs; and web content management systems.

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

Expected Pay Range: $68,640 - $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.