Marketing Communications Specialist Jobs in California

INTRODUCTION

The Marketing Communications Specialist serves as a member of the Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) team and reports to the Associate Director of Alumni Marketing and Communications.

In collaboration with the Associate Director and key university stakeholders, this role supports the Center for the Arts, the Weisman Museum, and the Fine Arts Division of Seaver College.

The specialist executes campaigns and produces marketing materials across digital, email, print, web, and social media platforms.

Using qualitative and quantitative data, the specialist evaluates the effectiveness of outreach efforts and supports continuous improvement in messaging, content, and engagement tactics.

Through these efforts, the specialist deepens alumni engagement through the arts, represents Pepperdine to arts-minded audiences, and cultivates sustained support for the University.

Duties

• Marketing & Communications:
• Plan, develop, and execute integrated marketing communications campaigns across email, print, web, and digital channels in support of the Center for the Arts, the Weisman Museum, and the Fine Arts Division.
• Draft and refine messaging in collaboration with stakeholders, and build targeted email journeys using Marketing Cloud.

• Coordinate the production and distribution of marketing materials, ensuring alignment with University brand standards and campaign goals.

• Digital Content & Web Management:

• Maintain and update websites supporting CFA, the museum, and Fine Arts. Develop and publish content including event pages, calendar listings, alumni features, lifelong learning content, and program information.

• Ensure accuracy, consistency, and timely updates in coordination with campus partners.

• Event Marketing & Engagement:

• Support marketing and communication strategies for events, including registration setup, audience targeting, guest communications, and post-event follow-up.

• Partner with internal stakeholders to enhance attendance, engagement, and overall event effectiveness.

• Audience Development & Alumni Engagement:

• Contribute to strategies that grow and engage alumni and arts-interested audiences.

• Support initiatives that increase participation, deepen connection to the University, and expand visibility of arts programs and offerings.

• Analytics & Performance Reporting:

• Collect, analyze, and interpret data across email, web, social, and event platforms.

• Prepare regular reports to evaluate campaign performance and inform ongoing optimization of messaging and outreach strategies.

• Student Support & Coordination:

• Assist with onboarding, training, and coordination of student workers or interns, as applicable.

• Provide guidance on project tasks and ensure alignment with team workflows and standards.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Uphold the university's 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:

• A bachelor's degree.
• One year of experience in marketing, communications, or a related field (internships may be considered).
• Commitment to the University’s values, mission, and strategic goals.
• Able to serve as a visible, passionate advocate for the arts as part of Pepperdine University.
• Understanding of how alumni engagement contributes to or correlates with donor cultivation and successful fundraising for the University.
• Full awareness of the positive impact that good public relations has on the cultivation process of current and prospective donors for Pepperdine University. The future financial stability and growth of Pepperdine is in the hands of our generous donors, many of whom are alumni.
• Strong public speaking skills.
• Is personable and has service-driven guest service skills such as: warmly greeting office visitors, demonstrating polite, friendly, professional, and helpful telephone etiquette, and energetically engaging constituents at events.
• Is a self-starter who takes initiative to further the mission.
• Able to prioritize a myriad of assignments such that deadlines are ultimately met without constant supervision.
• Must be comfortable with coordinating volunteers and a team of interns, student employees, and full-time staff to coach and lead them to success as they support various alumni engagement efforts.
• Willingness to work evenings and weekends.
• Able to work effectively with individuals from different backgrounds.
• Able and willing to load/unload/carry/set up event supplies up to 50 lbs. with or without a reasonable accommodation.
• Able to demonstrate expertise with Apple and PC usage, Microsoft Office tools, Google Apps (Google Docs/Sheets/Calendars/etc).
• Ability to adapt quickly to new tools, systems, and processes.
• Familiarity with popular social media networks (i.e., Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, YouTube) for optimizing our ability to connect the public with the University and one another.

Preferred:

• Three or more years of experience (post-undergraduate graduation) in full-time roles related to key functions/duties of this position (marketing/communication; event/project management; administrative marketing support).
• Experience working with student and alumni volunteers on behalf of a college or university.
• Knowledge of Pepperdine University software/tools such as The Raiser's Edge, OmniUpdate (website editing/management), Trumba, and/or Salesforce.

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

Expected Pay Range: $27.25 - $30.28 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.