The Research & Integration Analyst assists in driving the university toward operational excellence by researching new and emerging technologies with a focus on business process efficiencies and effective integration strategies. Seeks to leverage and share knowledge making it accessible to Client Services (CS) and Information Technology (IT).

Duties

• RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS: Continuously monitors, learns, and synthesizes advancements in emerging technologies including generative AI with a focus on higher education applications and best practices. Compiles regular data-driven reports, summaries, and recommendations on upcoming releases, trends, and industry developments. Tracks and monitors technology adoption impact using internal departmental data. Assesses the potential impact and applicability of these technologies across academic and administrative environments.
• INTEGRATION AND FRAMEWORKS: Works closely with CS managers and staff, as well as other stakeholders, to research, propose, and implement best practices and innovations that support the university's educational, research, and administrative goals. Responsible for partnering with colleagues and developing frameworks, guidelines, and recommendations for adoption of new technologies. Regularly interacts and communicates with colleagues and stakeholders to monitor progress and foster a culture of solution-focused thinking. Plays a vital role in addressing challenges, identifying opportunities, and guiding teams to leverage technology to improve effectiveness and productivity.
• COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS: Represents Pepperdine and IT in a professional manner when collaborating with internal and external stakeholders. Develops and maintains strong partnerships with colleagues to assure current and future operational success. Builds relationships with individual clients, including staff and executives. Identifies client service improvements and shares success stories with clients and team members. Coordinates strategic roadmap planning with department leaders.
• ADMINISTRATION: Reviews and submits regular, timely, and complete paperwork and processes, such as status reports, bi-weekly or monthly timesheets, assessments for mid-year and annual reviews, and other routine IT and University practices. Keeps personal and shared workspaces clean and organized.
• COLLABORATION: Provides backup support and assistance to other team members. Collaborates with co-workers and University colleagues on departmental, division-wide, and institutional projects. Shares process information and makes informal recommendations on how to improve processes and overall job execution within the team/department.
• PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Attends training sessions, vendor presentations, user group meetings, conferences, and seminars. Engages regularly in individual professional development-related activities to remain current with industry technology trends and work processes.
• COMMITTEES AND BEYOND JOB DUTIES: Volunteers to undertake tasks that stretch the employee's capabilities. Serves on various committees within the Information Technology division. Participates in external University committees. Performs other related duties as assigned.
• UNIVERSITY MISSION: Understands and supports the Christian mission of the University. Upholds the University mission through team, location, atmosphere, and 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 related technical/business areas or equivalent work experience.
• One (1) or more years in Information Technology or equivalent business experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills needed to work effectively with a wide variety of internal and external resources.
• Strong decision-making skills and ability to work under pressure and autonomously.

 Preferred

• Bachelor's Degree, preferably in Mathematics, Computer Science, Information Systems, Business, or related field.
• Two (2) or more years in Information Technology or equivalent business experience.
• Experience that includes technical knowledge in one or more areas of IT; small- and large-scale project management; budget management; presentations and training; organizational development and change management; business experience should include assignments in multiple business and technical processes and financial management.
• Leadership experience in managing cross-functional teams and influencing senior-level management and key stakeholders; demonstrated ability to assist in conceptualizing, launching, and delivering of a portfolio of services that meet business demands on time and within budget.
• Technical skills in Information Technology and data analysis; some knowledge of data science, generative AI applications, and formal research.
• Experience in following emerging trends in both technology and project management practices; some use of major project management and collaboration software, including MS Project, Asana, MS Office, email, calendaring, emerging collaboration tools (wikis, Google Apps, web conferencing, etc.), and generative AI tools (ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude)

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: $68,640 - $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.