Pepperdine University

The Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution (Straus Institute) at the Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law seeks a dynamic leader and creative thinker to serve as the Judge Danny Weinstein Managing Director of the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution. The Judge Danny Weinstein Managing Director of the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution will be responsible for advancing the Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law’s commitment to academic excellence and the Christian faith through strategic planning, program development, staff leadership, and operational oversight of the Straus Institute, which promotes justice and dispute resolution through academic and professional training programs in mediation, arbitration, conflict resolution, and related fields.

The internationally recognized Straus Institute has led the nation in law-school-based conflict resolution specialization, and, for over a decade, it has been ranked among the nation’s best programs by U.S. News and World Report. Through the Straus Institute, students, lawyers and professionals in other fields can learn about topics in alternative dispute resolution and conflict theory, as well as the practical and professional skills to manage and resolve conflict in a variety of settings.

The Judge Danny Weinstein Managing Director of the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution will be responsible for leading and managing the Straus Institute, including the growth and development of academic and professional training programs in mediation, arbitration, negotiation, conflict resolution, and related fields, as well as providing oversight of its operations, administration, and fundraising efforts. This position reports to the Faculty Director for the Straus Institute.

The Judge Danny Weinstein Managing Director of the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution will be an integral part of the leadership of the law school and the law school community. The ideal candidate is a dynamic, energetic leader with a strong commitment to academic and professional excellence, as well as Pepperdine University’s Christian mission.

Duties

• Strategic Leadership & Vision:
• Develop and execute a comprehensive strategic plan for the Straus Institute, as well as business and marketing plans, that enhance the influence and reputation of Pepperdine University, the Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, and the Straus Institute on a national and global scale, including, but not limited to, our campuses in Switzerland and Washington D.C.
• Lead advancement efforts, including fundraising, donor relations, and strategic partnerships, to secure financial support for the Straus Institute's mission, including its academic and professional training in conflict resolution programs.
• Develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies, including grant writing, major gift cultivation, and stewardship initiatives.
• Collaborate with faculty, project directors, and other stakeholders to design, produce, and implement the Straus Institute's innovative professional training programs across its core areas in dispute and conflict resolution.
• Sustain and further develop the Straus Institute's identity as a global leader in dispute and conflict resolution by promoting thought leadership and developing international programming.
• Operational Oversight:
• Lead professional staff, including by working with them to assess their needs, conducting staff evaluations, facilitating staff meetings and trainings, receiving feedback from staff, and building community.
• Promote and enhance relations with others in the law school and university (student groups, faculty, centers, institutes, alumni) and across the country and globally, representing the Straus Institute at Pepperdine, nationally, and internationally.
• Oversee the Straus Institute's communications strategy to promote a robust online presence through press releases, newsletters, website updates, and social media engagement.
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Straus Institute's myriad academic and professional training programs, ensuring efficient and cost-effective project management.
• Fiscal Management:
• Manage the Straus Institute's finances, including researching funding opportunities; preparation of grant proposals and budgets and financial reports; tracking expenditures and meeting appropriate deadlines; collaborating on the annual budget for the Institute; processing invoices; reconciling expenses; overseeing Institute spending.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Uphold University 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:

• Bachelor’s and Juris Doctor degree.
• A minimum of 5 years of leadership and managerial experience.
• Proven leadership experience in academic or professional settings, ideally within a legal or dispute resolution context.
• Demonstrated commitment to and participation in dispute and conflict resolution, especially in the areas of alternative dispute resolution.
• Strong strategic planning, operational, and financial management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities, with a track record of building collaborative relationships.
• Ability to function independently and to exercise discretion and judgment in sensitive matters.
• Ability to identify and respond to the needs of the organization, initiate work and follow through with minimal supervision, be part of a collegial team, adapt to changing priorities, balance competing assignments, and maintain a deep personal commitment and ability to work in mutually empowering partnerships.
• Experience with financial management, budget management, planning and control, as well as basic accounting.

Preferred:

• Experience in fundraising and administering grants.
• Experience in and aptitude for an entrepreneurial approach to professional training development and revenue generation.
• Experience in external relations and public communication, with an aptitude for enhancing institutional reputation and impact.
• Excellent interpersonal, administrative, and organizational skills, and a commitment to a collaborative work style.

Qualified individuals should be able to articulate a strong commitment to diversity, 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. Qualified individuals with criminal histories will be considered for employment in compliance with applicable laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance.

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

Expected Pay Range: $120,000 - $160,000 per year

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.