The Assistant Director of Career Services will execute the primary functions of the Office of Student Services related to the tasks associated with career services, professional development, and alumni affairs, providing full-service professional development coaching, career services, and alumni affairs for enrolled degree-seeking School of Public Policy students in on-ground and online programs and School of Public Policy program alumni.

Duties

• CAREER SERVICES AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Develop networks with professional organizations and employers to generate placement opportunities and promote the reputation of the institution; develop and direct internship, career, professional development (i.e. resume, cover letter coaching, mock interviewing, brand development, etc.) activities, such as one-on-one and small group coaching, professional development workshops, employer information sessions, and alumni-student mentoring and interactions. Coordinate with other University career services offices and attend the NASPAA Career Directors annual conference and build relationships with other policy graduate school career advisors. Supervise the MPP 699 and MPP 608 program requirements and maintain employment and internship data for School of Public Policy use, providing regular reporting on percentage employed, career fields, and related metrics. Coordinate and approve events and activities for Professional Development points. Work with the director of online programs to provide systems, events, and training for students. Append student biographies to expand student interests and internships for scholarship reporting; conduct career surveys for graduating students and alumni; answer the SPP Career Services email inbox; perform other career services as needed.
• ADMISSIONS: As delegated by the senior director of student services, director of online programs, and/or the director of recruitment and program relations, assist in development and promotion of the School of Public Policy's image through targeted strategies including discussion career pathways for on-ground and online students; build relationships with those who influence prospective student decisions (mentors, employers, professors); meet with prospective students during campus visits or meetings to build relationships and answer questions about career trajectories; participate in website development discussions and design career, internship, and recruitment-related web strategies to build program awareness in support of student development and recruitment; perform other recruitment- and admissions-related duties as assigned and needed.
• ALUMNI AFFAIRS: Conduct regular correspondence with School of Public Policy alumni through email, phone, and newsletters; coordinate with University Alumni Affairs Office for communication send date approvals; maintain School of Public Policy alumni directory and database with current contact information and employment experience; use Mentor Collective, LinkedIn, PeppConnect, and related systems to engage alumni community, provide updates, and learn about alumni professional and personal updates; develop innovative methods to maintain engagement with existing alumni in contact with the School of Public Policy and to re-engage those not currently in contact with the School; provide excellent alumni career support; serve as contact for internal Pepperdine University alumni affairs and attend University alumni affairs meetings; coordinate with director of development, regarding advancement matters pertaining to the alumni community, such as fellowship support for internships; enhance alumni mentorship and engagement through Ask-An-Alumni events; answer the SPP Alumni Affairs email inbox; perform other alumni affairs duties as needed.
• ENROLLED STUDENTS: Plan, organize, and execute career services events including trainings, workshops, and webinars; participate in new student orientation and other orientation onboarding for new students; manage all career and internships communications with prospective students, applicants, and admitted students; ensure all newly admitted and enrolled students are aware of and trained on career-related systems and job boards and are ready for matriculation and enrollment for a smooth transition into the Professional Development course; regularly report information back to the senior director on all of these responsibilities.
• ACADEMIC ADVISING: As directed by the senior director and in conjunction with the admissions and office manager, manage all aspects of academic advising (for all students, including joint degree students) including running degree audits, advising students on course selections and program requirements, processing specialization matriculations, advising students on academic probation (i.e. tracking progress, identifying resources for improvement), and communicating any relevant academic information to students. Attend various University committee meetings related to academic advising tasks. Perform other academic advising tasks as needed.
• ADMINISTRATIVE: Develop and maintain files; reconcile and substantiate career services credit card; answering phones, maintaining career appointment calendar and planning travel (as necessary); maintain career event calendar; ensure student resource room has relevant career-related materials; provide a welcoming reception to students at all times; perform other administrative office management duties as necessary.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Uphold the mission of the University 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. Skill and diplomacy in interacting with students, prospective students, alumni, donors, employers, and other internal and external constituents; exemplary communication skills, including proofreading and editing, written and oral communication; proven track record of making independent decisions. Superior interpersonal skills and the ability to work as a team member; demonstrated professional record of taking initiative, providing counsel, and being a quick learner. Exceptional organizational skills and the ability to multitask. Candidates should have some familiarity with the admissions and advising process. Experience in developing employment strategies within an academic/policy environment and working with others to achieve challenging goals. Ability to analyze broadly defined policies/activities and formulate plans for implementation of career placement strategies and student services issues; ability to initiate and take independent action; knowledge and understanding of marketing and communication techniques, public policy analysis, and professional development coaching. Knowledge of internet and software for career placement, mentorship, and job boards; experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google Education suite (Gmail, Drive, Calendar, Docs, Hangout, Sites).

Preferred: Master’s degree in management, marketing, or related field to the School of Public Policy (i.e., public administration, public policy, history, political science, economics, statistics, most social sciences). Work experience in the public policy or academic arena of at minimum three to five years. Experience working in the policy environment; experience working in an academic environment. Knowledge of Pepperdine University, the School of Public Policy, academic policies, and understanding of public policy and policy analysis industries. Established network of nonprofit, government, policy employers. Preference is given to those with broad experience in software used in the position:
• Career/Alumni/Relationship Development: Handshake and Raiser’s Edge
• Mentorship Systems: Mentor Collective
• Academic Systems: Salesforce CRM, Marketing Cloud, Oracle/PeopleSoft, Etrieve, Zoom

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. Qualified individuals with criminal histories will be considered for employment in compliance with applicable laws.

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

Expected Pay Rate: $64,480 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.