Business Analyst, IT Administration

Pepperdine University; Malibu (CA); On-site; USD 449,000 - 4,105,000; Full time

Job summary

Pepperdine University is seeking a Business Analyst to support IT Administration and IT Communications. You will analyze and document internal processes, apply generative AI tools to streamline workflows, and help automate routine tasks across HR, finance, and communications.

You will assist in standardizing position descriptions, coordinating hiring processes, and supporting budgeting and procurement activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related technical or business area or equivalent work experience.
• 1 year of general work experience.
• Relevant internship or student employment experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Hands-on familiarity with generative AI tools (e.g., Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini).
• Basic data analysis and spreadsheet skills.

Responsibilities

• Supports analyzing, documenting, and improving IT Administration processes.
• Assists with position management documentation and hiring processes.
• Supports budgeting, procurement, requisition, and invoicing workflows.
• Assists IT Communications with emergency preparedness and templates.
• Tracks metrics and prepares routine reports for IT leadership.
• Represents Pepperdine professionally with internal and external stakeholders.
• Keeps records and processes organized and on time.
• Collaborates with teammates and other university units.
• Participates in professional development and committees as needed.

Skills

Generative AI tools

Data analysis

Communication

Organization

Confidential information handling

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Google Workspace

Microsoft Office

Google Apps Script

Zapier

Power Automate

Job description

Supports the operational excellence of the Information Technology division by analyzing, documenting, and improving the internal business processes of IT Administration and IT Communications. Under the direction of the Associate CIO, the Business Analyst applies AI and other emerging technologies to streamline workflows in human resources, finance, and communications functions and assists in developing automation solutions that improve efficiency, consistency, and preparedness across the division.

Duties

• PROCESS ANALYSIS AND AUTOMATION SUPPORT: Assists the Associate CIO and the Manager of IT Administration in analyzing, documenting, and improving the internal business processes of IT Administration. Collects, analyzes, and documents business requirements and workflows using a structured requirements process. Applies AI tools, such as generative AI assistants and reusable prompt libraries, to streamline routine work. Assists in developing, testing, and documenting workflow automations, including emerging agentic AI solutions, for adoption within IT Administration. Recommends process improvements and participates in their implementation.
• POSITION MANAGEMENT SUPPORT: Assists with the standardization and continual improvement of IT position descriptions. Coordinates documentation and supports hiring-related processes in partnership with the Manager of IT Administration.
• FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT SUPPORT: Supports budgeting, procurement, requisition, and invoicing processes within IT Administration. Assists with the collection, organization, and analysis of budget data, contract information, and vendor spend. Identifies opportunities to streamline or automate routine financial workflows and assists in implementing approved improvements. Prepares supporting documentation and routine financial summaries as requested.
• COMMUNICATIONS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS SUPPORT: Assists IT Communications with projects and routine deliverables as assigned by the Associate CIO. Supports the development and maintenance of the IT emergency handbook, participates in emergency drills and related preparedness activities, and assists in creating and maintaining a library of pre-staged emergency communications using generative AI tools. Helps audit, organize, and update communication templates for consistency and readiness.
• ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING: Assists in defining and tracking metrics that measure the efficiency and impact of process improvements and automation efforts. Prepares routine reports, summaries, and presentations for the Associate CIO and IT leadership. Analyzes data to identify trends, successes, and opportunities for improvement.
• COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS: Represents Pepperdine and IT in a professional manner when collaborating with internal and external stakeholders. Develops and maintains strong partnerships with campus personnel and departments, as well as with external vendors and service providers, to assure current and future operational success.
• 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 a related technical or business area or equivalent work experience.
• One (1) year of general work experience.
• Relevant internship or student employment experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion, such as personnel and financial data.
• Hands‑on familiarity with generative AI tools (e.g., Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini).
• Basic data analysis and spreadsheet skills.

Preferred:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Information Systems, Computer Science, Communications, or related field.
• Two (2) or more years of experience in Information Technology, business analysis, higher education administration, or equivalent.
• Experience with documenting business processes or requirements.
• Experience with applying generative AI tools to real work tasks.
• Experience with structured business analysis or process documentation methods.
• Experience with building reusable AI assistants (e.g., Gemini Gems, Custom GPTs, Claude Projects) or workflow automations (e.g., Google Apps Script, Zapier, Power Automate).
• Familiarity with data visualization or reporting tools.
• Knowledge of higher education HR, finance, or procurement processes.
• Experience with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office.

This is a Restricted, Nonexempt, 40 hour per week position.

Expected Pay Range: $26.82 - $29.80 per hour

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.