Director of Recruitment and Program Relations

Grow and maintain the School of Public Policy student body, including the Master of Public Policy degree to 100-120 students, the Washington DC Summer Scholars Program, and any newly developed academic programs through innovative recruitment strategies in a manner consistent with the mission and values of Pepperdine University and the School of Public Policy; collaborate with the dean and senior director to create strategies to grow programs; update and implement a multi-year strategic plan to guarantee sustainable enrollment. The director will develop and execute an innovative recruitment plan that takes advantage of in-person recruitment events, digital recruitment, presentations to prospective student audiences and faculty via online info sessions and in-person events at host institutions, and targeted sponsorship advertising.Conduct the majority of recruitment travel to like-minded institutions where presentations to classrooms and events with prospective student audiences are prevalent; and conduct prospective student graduate workshops.The director will serve as a voting member of the admissions committee and provide analytics to aid decision-making. In conjunction with the director of marketing and communications, develop and implement a marketing and advertising strategy; including print collateral, digital assets, website copy, and digital recruitment strategies that drive top-of-funnel prospective student traffic with cost-effective, lead-generation tactics.Oversee and manage prospective student journey communications in CRM Salesforce, including editing email communications and assets, leading meetings, updating Salesforce, and reporting metrics at each funnel stage. Market the program, including the overall development and promotion of the School of Public Policy’s image through mission-aligned strategies including: recruitment events and relationship-building with those who directly influence prospective student decisions (i.e., professors, policy leaders). Create and maintain a recruiting calendar for graduate fairs and other recruitment events; schedule school visits and campus tours for interested candidates with the recruitment and admissions assistant director. Build program awareness through travel to local and national markets to support student recruitment.  

The director of recruitment and program relations will serve as the primary point of contact for existing and newly developed educational and program partners through the Pepperdine Policy Partners Program (P4). In collaboration with the dean, the director of recruitment will update and implement a program relations strategic plan that will leverage relationships across academia—both internally within Pepperdine University, such as at Seaver College and externally among other like-minded and mission-aligned institutions (Church of Christ sister schools, other Christian universities, and colleges—particularly member institutions of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities - CCCU). These partnerships shall focus on increasing prospective student inquiries and applications from other policy and academic institutions, whether from political, policy or public affairs communities. These relationships will serve to support career service opportunities for current students and alumni. In this ambassadorial capacity, the director of recruitment will further strengthen existing P4 relationships. Director will identify, develop, and secure new MOUs through these relationships. Coordinate with the senior director of student services and the assistant director of recruitment and admissions to identify recruitment locations and broader strategies.

The Director will ensure that all program relations efforts are strategically aligned with recruitment goals, using data-driven insights to continuously refine tactics. Their work will focus on fostering strong partnerships that enhance the school’s visibility and increase enrollment in the MPP program, ensuring that every outreach and engagement activity directly supports the recruitment pipeline and strengthens the school’s standing among prospective students and external partners. Represent the School of Public Policy at on- and off-campus recruitment/admissions events, at Pepperdine University committee meetings, and other community and program relations functions.

The position will be evaluated by the performance of:

1. Growing lead generation and inquiries at the School of Public Policy 
2. Building and maintaining student enrollment in the degree(s) and summer programs based on University targets;
3. Elevating the School of Public Policy brand among the broader policy, academic, and political communities (gauged by advancement of P4 partnership opportunities in the interest of recruitment and student enrollment)

The director of recruitment will perform other related duties as assigned.

RECRUITMENT (50%):  Develop and execute an innovative recruitment plan that takes advantage of in-person recruitment events, digital recruitment with IMC, targeted advertising, and program relationships. Serve as a voting member of the School of Public Policy Admissions Committee. As it relates to the advancement of recruitment/admissions/enrollment, student services, and alumni engagement, serve as point of contact for educational and program partners; represent the School of Public Policy at all relevant admissions Pepperdine University committees such as the Recruitment and Admissions and CRM Salesforce Core Team; develop on-ground recruitment campaign that may consist of recruitment graduate fairs, open house events, online workshops, presentations to classrooms and faculty; travel to and table at graduate workshops and fairs (PPIA, Model UN, Idealist). Write, edit, and implement  prospective student journey communications in CRM; regularly meet with the University CRM team, build reports, analyze data, and be accountable for metrics at each stage of the funnel; provide analytics on recruitment strategies and their effectiveness; and be able to report on the frequency of partnership relationship building (events, meetings) to aid in decision making. Market the program, including writing all program materials to elevate the overall development and promotion of the School of Public Policy’s image through targeted strategies including: recruitment events, presentations to faculty and students at targeted institutions, and regular relationship-building with those who influence prospective student decisions (i.e., professors, policy leaders). Create a recruiting calendar for graduate fairs with the assistant director of recruitment and admissions; set up school visits and campus tours for interested candidates; recruit students to SPP’s growing presence in Washington, DC, and any other academic and professional programs created. Build program awareness by traveling to local and national markets in support of student recruitment.

PROGRAM RELATIONS (25%):  Revise and implement strategies and plans to strengthen existing educational and program partnerships and build new relationships for the School of Public Policy, its flagship programs, and other academic and professional programming to promote enrollment and professional development. These relationships should be across academia—both internally at Pepperdine University and externally with other like-minded and appropriately targeted institutions—and the political, policy, public affairs, and mission-aligned communities. These partnerships should primarily focus on increasing prospective students/applicants. Grow the Pepperdine Partner Policy Program (P4) network through additional MOUs and nurture existing relationships.

MARKETING (15%): Develop and implement a marketing and advertising strategy for the School of Public Policy’s programs, including promoting the school's image regarding recruitment and enrollment growth. Strategies will include developing print collateral materials, digital assets, website copy, and digital recruitment strategies (display ads, Google search, YouTube marketing, paid social media, and related channels in collaboration with the Integrated Marketing and Communications team). Develop content that drives top-of-funnel prospective student traffic with cost-effective, lead-generation tactics. Collaborate with the director of marketing and communication and various University departments to develop prospective student marketing content. Oversee and write prospective student journey communications in CRM Salesforce, including editing email communications and assets, leading meetings, updating CRM content, and reporting metrics at each funnel stage.

SUPERVISORY AND OFFICE MANAGEMENT (5%):   Review all recruitment-related expenses, including externally funded activities. Supervise between one and three graduate assistants who will serve as school ambassadors, providing training and a script on best practices to communicate the uniqueness of the school or program to prospective students.

OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED (5%).