Director of Alumni Engagement, Caruso School of Law (CSOL) and School of Public Policy (SPP)

The Director of Alumni Engagement plays a crucial role in fostering enduring relationships with alumni, students, faculty, and staff at the Caruso School of Law (CSOL) and the School of Public Policy (SPP). This position is responsible for executing strategic initiatives to enhance alumni engagement, contributing to the development of a vibrant alumni community, and supporting the strategic goals of the Dean(s), the Advancement Strategic Plan, and the Ascend Together University Strategic Plan. Reporting directly to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Alumni Affairs, the Director oversees various aspects of alumni relations at the Caruso School of Law and School of Public Policy and contributes to the implementation of the Alumni Affairs Strategic Plan.

Duties

• Engagement: Execute strategies outlined in the Ascend Together 2030 Strategic Plan and the Advancement Alumni Strategic Plan to enhance alumni engagement through targeted programming and initiatives within the CSOL and SPP. Collaborate closely with the AVC for Alumni Affairs to assess, refine, and align the alumni engagement strategy with organizational strategic objectives. 
• Communications: Orchestrate all communication (verbal, printed, electronic) directed toward CSOL (including direct contributions to the Surf Report) and SPP alumni. Manage communication channels in collaboration with the Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) team, Dean’s Offices, and Advancement. Recommend alumni features for publications and for daily highlights, while promoting alumni benefits such as career resources, networking opportunities, and continuing education programs.
• Event Management: Manage events and work with appropriate parties to ensure effective planning and execution of alumni-related events. Supervise and facilitate all high-profile events aimed at engaging alumni and strengthening their connection with CSOL, including but not limited to alumni reunions, Palmer Center events, the annual U.S. Supreme Court Bar Swearing-In Ceremony, the December Swearing-In Ceremony, the June Swearing-In Ceremony, the annual School of Law Dinner, selection of recipients for annual alumni awards, and the national bar exam lunch program. Create and build out high-profile events to engage alumni and strengthen their connection with SPP. Continue to supervise and facilitate events as programming for SPP alumni affairs grows.
• Alumni Relationships: Develop, nurture, and initiate relationships with alumni through regular meetings and engagement activities at individual, local, and national levels. Help plan, attend, and facilitate high-level meetings of select alumni for SPP and CSOL, such as bi-annual meetings of CSOL’s Board of Advisors and the Dean’s Council. Work to create similar programming for SPP’s Board of Advisors. Facilitate alumni participation in voting campaigns in connection with national ranking reviews. 
• Campus Partners: Collaborate with the Career Development Office, Office of Admissions, the Associate Dean of Students, and student organizations to involve alumni in campus activities such as panel discussions, mock interview programs, networking events with students, and the alumni admissions ambassador program. Collaborate with CSOL’s Parris Institute for Professional Excellence to train and assign CSOL alumni as preceptors for first-year students under the Parris Institute’s Preceptor Program and arrange for alumni to speak at panel discussions at Launch Week and in CSOL’s mandatory professional development course (Law 644, Professional Formation). Connect alumni with CSOL’s Career Development Office who desire to hire CSOL students and/or alumni. 
• Partnership with Advancement: Partner with Advancement to identify new alumni prospects and leverage opportunities for financial cultivation and community building. Promote a culture of philanthropy within CSOL and SPP and engage with internal and external stakeholders to advance fundraising goals. 
• Meeting Involvement: Attend monthly Alumni Officers meetings to present updates and align strategies with the Deans’ vision, aiming to exceed alumni engagement targets.
• Data: Update and maintain alumni engagement data using Raiser’s Edge, Google Forms, Fonteva, etc. – Analyze data to derive insights and develop strategies for enhancing alumni engagement and participation. 
• 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 and 5+ years related work experience, preferably in higher education; excellent oral and written communication skills; exceptional attention to detail and follow-through, organization, and time management skills; experience in event planning or related work; ability to anticipate needs and foresee challenges; superior interpersonal skills; exceptional networking skills and professional demeanor; ability to work with the public in a professional manner and communicate clearly and accurately; ability to articulate the Pepperdine mission and incorporate it into daily work.

Preferred: J.D. or other advanced degree, preferably from the Caruso School of Law or Pepperdine School of Public Policy.

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 Range: $91,800 – $103,500 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.

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