Pepperdine Graziadio Business School seeks an accomplished leader to serve as Executive Director of Enrollment Management.

Founded in 1969, the Graziadio Business School is anchored in the core values of integrity and innovation, and is dedicated to shaping leaders that drive meaningful, positive change in their global organizations and communities. Graziadio offers a comprehensive portfolio of programs—including full-time, part-time, and executive MBA options, as well as doctoral, master’s, bachelor’s, joint degrees, and professional development courses. Programs are delivered across four California graduate campuses, online, and in flexible hybrid formats. As one of the largest graduate business schools in the US, backed by more than 50,000 alumni, the school's impact spans industries, communities, and continents—from Silicon Beach to Southeast Asia. The Graziadio School continues to rise among the nation’s top business programs, earning accolades across prestigious rankings that highlight its commitment to academic excellence and meaningful impact including the #7 Best Online Master's in Business Analytics (Fortune); the #8 Greatest Resource for Minority Students (The Princeton Review); the #14 Part-Time MBA (Fortune); and the #22 Online MBA (The Princeton Review).

Pepperdine University is a private research university founded in 1937 and affiliated with the Churches of Christ. Nestled on a picturesque 830-acre campus overlooking the Pacific Ocean near Malibu, California, it combines rigorous academics with a faith-driven mission to foster lives of purpose, service, and leadership. The university comprises Seaver College (its undergraduate liberal arts division), Caruso School of Law, Graziadio Business School, Graduate School of Education and Psychology, School of Public Policy, and College of Health Science. Nationally, Pepperdine ranks among the top 100 U.S. universities (#84 in U.S.?News), and its students benefit from high-quality teaching, strong retention and graduation rates, and a vibrant NCAA Division I athletics program—all set within one of the most acclaimed and beautiful campuses in higher education.

Reporting to Dean Deborah Crown, this pivotal role drives the development and execution of high-impact strategies that fuel demand, strengthen conversion, and deliver exceptional enrollment outcomes across a diverse portfolio of graduate business programs. Working closely with senior leadership and key stakeholders, the Executive Director ensures that all initiatives reflect Pepperdine’s core commitments to academic excellence, transformational learning, and ethical leadership.

The Graziadio School seeks an experienced enrollment leader with an advanced degree in higher education administration, business, marketing, or a related field. The ideal candidate will bring progressive experience in higher education recruitment and admissions, ideally within graduate business programs, including a strong record of management experience. The next Executive Director will have a proven track record in driving enrollment growth, managing cross-functional teams, and leveraging data and CRM systems to optimize recruitment strategies. Strong strategic planning, analytical skills, and operational efficiency are essential, along with the ability to implement modern enrollment techniques and innovative solutions. Candidates must demonstrate sales orientation, collaborative leadership, and high integrity, with the ability to navigate complex organizational environments and engage diverse stakeholders effectively. Preferred qualifications include MBA, MS/MA, or doctorate in higher education administration, business, sales, marketing, or a related field. The successful candidate will embrace Pepperdine's values as an institution that is welcome to all and rooted in its mission as a Christian university committed to the highest standards of academic excellence and Christian values.

All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume, and a letter of interest that addresses the themes outlined in the leadership profile as well as why they would want to work at Pepperdine and how they personally identify with and intend to further Pepperdine’s Christian values and academic excellence.

WittKieffer is assisting the Pepperdine Graziadio Business School in this search, which will remain open until an appointment is made. For fullest consideration, applicants are encouraged to submit their materials as soon as possible.

Applications, nominations and inquiries can be directed to:

Amy Crutchfield, Shelley Arakawa, J.D., and Natalie Song at

Bschool-Pepperdine@wittkieffer.com

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

Expected Pay Range: $153,000 – $180,000 per year – may be negotiable.

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.