The Director of Student Ministries supports the Vice President for Spiritual Life in creating dynamic, consistent worship and spiritual engagement opportunities for students. This role plays a key part in advancing the university’s spiritual life objectives by offering pastoral care and coordinating various programs, including retreats, training, leadership development, worship services, small groups, Bible studies, memorials, and other spiritual life initiatives. The Director serves as a Christian role model, actively participating in the campus community and a local church.

Duties

• Supervise and provide ongoing mentorship to the Student Ministries Team, consisting of four staff members, fostering their growth and aligning their efforts with the University's spiritual mission. Build a healthy staff Discipleship Team including clear job descriptions, OKRs, and accountability to achieve world-class excellence in discipleship ministry. Train, mentor, and manage all discipleship leaders. Hold regular Discipleship Team meetings as needed to build a kingdom culture and excellence.
• Lead the production and scheduling of spiritual life events, including "The Well" (a weekly worship service) and other campus-wide activities. Supervise event logistics, speaker selection, and ensure cohesive communication through announcements and program materials.
• Positively contribute to the Hub and larger Pepperdine community. Model and demand a kingdom culture of deep abiding personal relationship with Jesus, loyalty, honor, joy, encouragement, and work ethic on the Discipleship Team and the Hub Team at large.
• Oversee all aspects of discipleship and student ministries across all Pepperdine schools and campuses. Initiate conversations with the spiritual life lead at each graduate school to cast the University's vision for discipleship ministry in each school and help develop a customized manifestation of discipleship opportunities at each graduate school. Implement a discipleship ministry at each graduate school in collaboration with that school. Lead at least one student discipleship group weekly throughout the academic year, either students or discipleship leaders.
• Work in partnership with various teams, including Worship, Community Engagement, and Service, to foster a unified approach to spiritual life programming and engagement. Ensure integration of spiritual initiatives across all university schools and departments.
• Work closely with the Vice President of Spiritual Life in shaping the vision and direction for discipleship initiatives through the Hub for Spiritual Life. Contribute to the development of strategies that support and expand spiritual life programs across all five schools within the university.
• 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:

• 4+ years experience in college student development, ministry, or ministry leadership and management.
• 2+ years professional experience in a university, non-profit organization, or education field.
• Previous supervisory experience.
• Active involvement in a local church.
• Demonstrated support for the Christian mission of the university.
• Ability to integrate Christian faith with student development theories and practice.
• Ease and ability in working professionally with students, staff, faculty, community members.
• Ability to manage and supervise students.
• Excellent interpersonal, public relations, written communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to develop and execute marketing plans and/or marketing strategy.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
• Strong communication, problem-solving and conflict management skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access), Google Suite (Docs, Drive, Sheets, Forms, etc.).

Preferred:

• Active Member of the Churches of Christ.
• Master's level theological education preferred, 2+ years experience working in spiritual formation.
• Demonstrated experience working with volunteers or college student development.
• Demonstrated ability to write and produce non-accredited curriculum.
• Experience teaching and preaching, leading Bible studies and providing pastoral care.
• Familiarity with OU Campus, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube and Design software like Adobe Creative Suite.

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

Expected Pay Range: $90,000 - $100,000 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.