Responsibilities

• Lead communications strategy for major university priorities, developing integrated strategies and initiatives that strengthen USC’s reputation and bring the university’s most important stories to life.
• Provide strategic communications leadership for USC’s engagement with a global mega event, identifying and activating opportunities to showcase USC’s people, expertise, impact and deep connection to Los Angeles before, during and following the event.
• Lead communications strategy for USC’s 150th anniversary, developing a compelling, university-wide narrative and integrated program that celebrates USC’s history and impact while building excitement for its future.
• Serve as a senior strategic advisor to the Interim Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer and university leaders on brand positioning, institutional priorities and high-profile communications opportunities.
• Lead complex, cross-university strategic initiatives from concept through execution, establishing clear objectives, strategies, workstreams, milestones and measures of success.
• Build alignment and collaboration across USC, partnering with schools, administrative units and communications teams to create cohesive strategies, messages and experiences across the university.
• Identify distinctive opportunities to elevate USC’s story and reputation, connecting the university’s academic excellence, research, innovation, student experience, athletics, arts and culture, alumni impact and relationship with Los Angeles.
• Provide leadership across strategic initiatives, setting clear direction, fostering accountability and collaboration, and continuously improving how strategic communications initiatives are planned and delivered.
• Performs other related duties as assigned. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communication, business administration, psychology or a related field.
• Six (6) years of experience in management and/or leadership roles.
• 12 years of experience in project management, business administration, business strategy, human resources and/or related areas.
• Experience developing and implementing strategic plans, programs or initiatives from concept through execution.
• Experience leading complex, cross-functional projects and aligning stakeholders and resources around organizational objectives.
• Experience developing project proposals, establishing and tracking measures of success, resolving implementation issues and presenting results and recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Proven success leading teams, with the ability to establish goals and objectives, coach, develop and create accountability.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and demonstrated experience leveraging project portfolio management tools.

Preferred

• Master’s degree in communication, business administration, psychology or a related field.
• Eight (8) or more years of experience in management and/or leadership roles.
• 15 or more years of professional experience, with experience in higher education and/or another large, complex, mission-driven organization.
• Experience developing and leading enterprise-wide strategies and strategic initiatives within complex organizations, including translating strategic vision into actionable plans, programs and day-to-day operations.
• Experience leading organizational change and complex project implementation, including establishing metrics, monitoring progress and pipelines, developing methodologies and systems, and using results to guide continuous improvement.
• Collaborative leadership and management style, with experience building effective partnerships across organizational functions, developing and supporting teams, navigating conflict, facilitating resolution and identifying and solving complex organizational challenges.
• CAPM, PMP or similar project/program management certification preferred.