Manager, Business Services

Pepperdine University; Malibu (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Pepperdine University seeks a Manager of Business Services to oversee daily operations across Dining, Bookstores, Vending, Licensing, and executive center activities. You will lead cross-functional teams, coordinate with partners, and ensure efficient processes and exceptional service.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree and 3 years of related experience, with strong communication, organization, and confidentiality. Regular collaboration with the COO division and external vendors is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Three years of professional or educational experience in related fields or faith-based higher education.
• Commitment to Pepperdine University’s mission, vision, values, and goals.
• Commitment to ethical standards with integrity and discretion.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Direct daily Business Services operations across multiple functional areas.
• Lead event logistics, including quarterly Board of Regents meetings.
• Coordinate with internal partners and vendors to ensure compliance and efficiency.
• Develop and update SOPs, onboarding materials, and business continuity plans.
• Represent the department professionally with internal and external stakeholders.
• Support emergency planning and business continuity efforts.

Skills

Excellent oral communication

Superior written communication

Organizational skills

Time management

Customer service

Problem solving

Team coordination

Initiative

Confidentiality

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

Google Suite

Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Job description

The Manager of Business Services supports the strategic operations and administration of the University’s Business Services department and provides cross-functional operational leadership to the Office of the Chief Operating Officer area.

Bringing excellence to all aspects of work and providing exceptional service, this position oversees and leads multiple areas within the Business Services department, including Dining Services, Campus Bookstores, Vending, Bookstore, Licensing, and the Villa Graziadio Executive Center. Serving as a primary leader of the Business Services department, the Manager, Business Services employs professional and timely communication, initiative, hospitality, organization, and efficiency, and is overall responsible for directing routine processes. This position ensures seamless operations and a professional environment, conducive to excellent service and high achievement.

As a member of the Chief Operating Officer’s central operational team, the Manager position supports the entire division and ensures departmental goals and priorities are achieved through consistent execution and collaboration. This position works directly with colleagues and vendors to establish priorities, coordinate operations, review communications and reports, lead critical projects, oversee high-level events, and direct team activities.

This position embodies and helps establish a model workplace culture that promotes Pepperdine’s mission, vision, and strategic plan; pursues excellence in every aspect of its work; promotes collaboration and unity; attracts, engages, and retains the best employees; and honors each individual team member, among others.

Duties

• Operations & Management:
  • Direct daily and routine Business Services operations, ensuring high standards of excellence across all functional areas, including:
  • Meet regularly with business and campus partners to develop positive and collaborative working relationships with key stakeholders;
  • Ensure Business Services spaces are hospitable, neat, and meet departmental priorities; identify areas for improvement and place work orders, as needed; implement measures to ensure completion of work orders and projects; Ensure business partners' operations are in compliance with all City and County health and safety requirements;
  • Oversee effective contract administration and ensure business partners strictly comply with contractual obligations;
  • Oversee and track department audits;
  • Provide timely communications with business partners and colleagues on pertinent operational information impacting their areas;
  • Continually update processes and departmental documents for accuracy and effectiveness, including onboarding, standard operating procedures, and business continuity plans;
  • Lead emergency operational planning and ensure the effectiveness of business continuity and emergency plans with business partners;
  • Direct event logistics, including quarterly Board of Regents meetings, ensuring flawless execution and high-level success;
  • Manage Equipment Replacement Report and develop an annual strategic plan of funding priority items, in collaboration with colleagues and business partners.
• Operational Administration:
  • Maintain, prioritize, and administer a high-level task management system to track tasks, projects, and initiatives to successful completion;
  • Communicate priorities to team members and business partners in a timely and efficient manner;
  • Meet assigned deadlines;
  • Execute and support operational initiatives in alignment with the division's overall goals.
• Representative:
  • Serve as a representative of the Business Services department, including:
  • Communicate on behalf of the University professionally regarding business partner or colleague inquiries, including direct inquiries to the appropriate party promptly and efficiently;
  • Compose professional correspondence and presentations;
  • Meet with internal and external stakeholders regarding business services matters; make presentations, as needed;
  • Assist the University during emergencies;
  • Host events and well represent the division at various events;
  • Professionally interact with positions at all levels, etc.
• Operational Leadership:
  • Provide operational leadership across the Chief Operating Officer Division, including:
  • Direct projects, key reports, policy documents, communications, and strategic initiatives;
  • Develop, review, and edit presentations;
  • Benchmark and research data;
  • Serve as operational liaison to the Emergency Operations Committee;
  • Lead business continuity and emergency responses in coordination with business partners and leadership;
  • Provide Living Pepperdine daily line-up messages, etc.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Uphold the University mission through all 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
• Three years of professional or educational experience in related fields or faith-based higher education
• Passionate commitment to Pepperdine University and its mission, vision, values, and goals
• Commitment to the highest ethical standards, with personal and professional character and integrity beyond reproach
• Collaborative approach to work with a demonstrated ability to build relationships with a variety of personalities and work styles
• Excellent oral communication skills
• Superior written communication
• Superior discretion and confidentiality
• Superior attention to detail
• Exceptional organization, planning, and time management skills
• Exceptional aptitude for customer service
• Appropriate sense of urgency and responsiveness
• Ability to meet deadlines and manage competing priorities
• Ability to quickly learn new processes and procedures and adapt to assignment changes
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Creative and solutions-oriented approach to problem solving
• High levels of initiative and a proactive approach to work
• Commitment to excellence in every aspect of work
• Joyful and optimistic demeanor
• Familiarity and knowledge of Google Suite
• Familiarity and knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• General office familiarity with printers, scanners, copiers, phone systems, fax machines, etc.

Preferred:

• Familiarity with Pepperdine University
• Experience or background in faith-based higher education

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

Expected Pay Range: $31.25 - $33.65 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.