USC Employment – Executive Director of Communications

Executive Director of Communications

The Executive Director of Communications oversees all internal and external communications for the University of Southern California Rossier School of Education and ensures alignment within communications across USC Rossier, including in advancement and academic centers. In this capacity, the Executive Director supports the Dean and key faculty in serving as thought leaders who can positively influence the field of education.

The Executive Director manages the communications team responsible for the USC Rossier website content, social media channels, magazine, media relations, and other print and digital collateral. The director will also collaborate with USC University Communications.

The Executive Director reports to the Dean and is a member of the USC Rossier Senior Leadership Team.

Responsibilities

• Supervise USC Rossier’s three-person communications team, as well as outside consultants.
• Develop and execute a communications plan that delivers key messages to audiences including USC Rossier students, faculty, staff, alumni, educators, policymakers, foundations, the media, and the general public.
• Serve as a resource who can advise departments, programs, and centers on communication strategies, including content creation, social media, and media relations.
• Contribute content to the school website and other publications.
• Support the Dean and other school leaders with key correspondence, including talking points, messages, and letters.
• Oversee branding guidelines.
• Support USC Rossier community partnerships, professional development, and non-degree programing.
• Work with outside vendors across multiple disciplines, including media relations, graphic design, photography, and video production.
• Remain current on trends and developments in communications, higher education, and the education fields.
• Determines and manages communications budget. Approves/ disapproves expenditures.

Required Education

Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree preferred in journalism, English, Communications or related

field or five-to-seven years of experience in public relations.

Required Experience

• Five-to-seven years of progressively responsible experience in public relations, media relations or a related field is required, preferably in higher education.
• Demonstrated senior-level management and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and with a team, as well as an ability to work under pressure and deal with many competing interests.
• Demonstrated ability to conceive, implement, and evaluate creative, communication, brand, and institutional strategies.
• Outstanding writing, editing, and proofreading skills with high attention to detail.

Preferred Experience

• Experience overseeing web content and working in communications in higher education, K12 or in the education space is preferred.
• Direct experience in broadcast or print journalism is helpful.
• Experience with the Los Angeles media market is preferred.

The annual base salary range for this position is $180,000 – $200,000 . When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations .

Applications should be submitted via usccarreers.usc.edu and should include the following:

• Resume
• A cover letter ( Our system will allow you to add additional documentation by clicking the “upload” button in the same section where you attach your resume.)

Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 5 years, Combined education/experience as substitute for minimum experience Minimum Field of Expertise: Management experience in journalism and public relations.