Senior Communications Specialist

The USC Iovine and Young Academy is seeking a Senior Communications Specialist to join its Development and External Relations team.

Founded in 2013 through a visionary gift from Jimmy Iovine and Andre “Dr. Dre” Young, the USC Iovine and Young Academy offers an educational experience that brings together unprecedented combinations of knowledge, skills and premier professional opportunities. The Academy prepares the next generation of innovators, technology developers and creative strategists to lead with empathy and drive innovation for positive impact.

The Senior Communications Specialist develops and executes integrated communications strategies that advance the Academy’s priorities, reputation and visibility. Serving as a strategic partner to Academy leadership, this position creates audience-specific communications for students and families, faculty and staff, alumni, donors, industry and community partners, university leadership, media and the broader public.

The successful candidate will be an exceptional writer and strategic thinker who can translate complex and interdisciplinary work into clear, engaging communications across multiple platforms. The position will develop and execute executive communications, editorial and digital content, media relations, institutional and philanthropic storytelling, and communications supporting major initiatives and events.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute integrated communications strategies that advance Academy priorities, reputation and visibility.

• Serve as a strategic communications partner to the dean, Development and External Relations leadership and other Academy leaders.

• Develop communications plans and messaging for major initiatives, partnerships, program launches, announcements and events.

• Write and edit executive communications, including speeches, talking points, presentations, correspondence, announcements and briefing materials.

• Identify and develop compelling stories featuring Academy students, faculty, alumni, programs, research, ventures, partnerships and philanthropic impact.

• Create, write and edit content across newsletters, email campaigns, publications, donor communications and other digital and print platforms.

• Manage the Academy’s editorial calendar to ensure communications are coordinated, timely and aligned with strategic priorities.

• Lead public and media relations efforts, including developing press materials, pitching stories, responding to media inquiries, preparing individuals for interviews and identifying thought-leadership opportunities.

• Develop, write, edit, design and manage content for the Academy’s website, digital communications and social media channels, ensuring consistent messaging, voice and editorial quality.

• Partner with Development and External Relations leadership to develop and execute communications strategies and materials that support donor communications, stewardship, fundraising initiatives, alumni engagement and industry partnerships.

• Provide strategic communications guidance to the Director of Events in support of major Academy events.

• Develop and execute communications strategies and materials in support of the dean’s initiatives and other high-profile Academy activities.

• Manage multiple communications projects from concept through completion, including timelines, deliverables and review processes.

• Ensure communications align with USC and Academy brand, editorial, accessibility and visual identity standards.

• Monitor communications performance and use audience insights and analytics to refine strategies and improve engagement.

• Coordinate the work of photographers, videographers, designers, freelancers, agencies and other creative partners, as needed.

Work Location and Schedule

This is an in-person position that requires regular on-campus presence. The position may also require evening and weekend work based on Academy events, programs, communications needs and other business priorities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, English or a related field. Combined experience and education may substitute for the minimum education requirement.

• Five years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, public relations, marketing, journalism, higher education communications, nonprofit communications or a related field.

• Demonstrated experience developing communications strategies and creating content for multiple audiences and platforms.

• Exceptional writing, editing, proofreading and verbal communication skills.

• Experience developing executive communications and supporting senior leaders.

• Strong editorial judgment and storytelling ability.

• Experience with media relations, including press materials, media inquiries, story pitching and interview preparation.

• Experience developing and managing website, email, newsletter and social media content.

• Ability to manage multiple projects, competing priorities and complex review processes.

• Ability to translate complex, interdisciplinary, academic or technical subject matter into accessible and engaging content.

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build effective relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders.

• Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion and diplomacy when handling sensitive or reputationally significant information.

• Ability to work independently, take initiative and perform effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, higher education administration or a related field.

• Experience in higher education, advancement, nonprofit, technology, design, entrepreneurship, innovation, media or the creative industries.

• Experience developing donor communications, philanthropic impact stories, fundraising materials or stewardship communications.

• Experience with content management systems, email marketing platforms, social media management tools, project management systems and digital analytics platforms.

• Knowledge of search engine optimization, digital accessibility and web content best practices.

• Experience managing creative professionals, freelancers, agencies or external vendors.

• Experience supporting crisis communications, issues management or sensitive institutional announcements.

• Experience providing strategic direction or supervision to communications professionals, student employees or external partners.

In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment to USC’s Unifying Values. (https://culturejourney.usc.edu/explore/unifying-values/)

The salary range for this position is $100,000-$120,000. 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.

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Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 5 years Minimum Field of Expertise: Exemplary understanding of the nuanced messaging required for various audiences and distribution channels. Demonstrated experience managing public relations and developing social media presence for an organization, and solid grasp of professionally utilizing social media platforms. Experience with large and complex distribution lists. Ability to interpret, analyze, and apply pertinent policies, procedures, regulations, and requirements. Ability to build, develop, and manage positive working relationships and rapport with wide-ranging, high-performing teams. Proven ability to provide both detailed information as well as summaries to management.