Communications Lead

The mission of the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work is to champion social justice for the well-being of individuals, families, and communities through innovative teaching of evidence-based practice and practice-based skills, pioneering transformative research, and cultivating leadership for social change throughout Southern California, the nation and the world. Our mission is achieved through value-driven, scholarly and creative social work education, research, and professional leadership.

The USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work is seeking a Communications Lead to provide advanced-level communications support for the school, with a specific focus on developing and executing content creation and development strategies. The ideal candidate will steer departmental public relations efforts while maintaining customer-experience continuity and consistency for school’s brand.

Reporting to the Dean of the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, this position collaborates with a diverse community of faculty, staff, and students, as well as university leadership, central administration, members of the Board of Councilors, alumni, donors, and community partners. 

Responsibilities will include:

• Sets strategies for content creation and development, overseeing and reviewing content overall and ensuring clear, engaging communications are disseminated to staff and a broad range of customers, partners and stakeholders. Empowers team to develop material for publications and presentations (e.g., websites, newsletters, leadership talking points).

• Supervises a team that generates various written materials in collaboration with creative counterparts. Guides structural leadership on objectives, strategies and plans by implementing the review and approval process for internal/external communications. Collaborates with the organizational engagement team, aligning messaging and supporting needs for change and transition initiatives. Maintains currency with university projects, steering and advisory committees, campus-wide initiatives, and technology events and councils to sustain and further build comprehensive understanding of key constituent groups.

• Leads development efforts regarding documentation, intranet and social media presence. Reviews and manages changes and updates to antiquated or obsolete documentation. Oversees efforts to streamline messaging, providing consultation support to leaders, departments and project teams.

• Manages departmental public relations efforts (e.g., content for specific audiences, social media outreach), maintaining customer-experience continuity and consistency for a school or division’s brand, image, and voice. Assesses and utilizes impact analyses for different communication channels. Defines and shares/communicates updated communication and distribution policies and procedures with team. Reviews, edits and approves developed and refined staff distribution channels and style guides.

• Aids the cultivation of a culture of belonging, engagement, trust and transparency, sharing information broadly, openly and deliberately. Builds and maintains collaborative relationships with a variety of team members, peers and leaders. Actively fosters team culture by embodying values and behaviors (e.g., accountability, ethics, best-in-class customer service).

• Advises the communication team on priorities according to plans. Aligns messaging and supports communication needs for change and transition initiatives by collaborating with the organizational engagement team. Encourages a workplace culture where all employees are valued, value others and have the opportunity to contribute through their ideas, words and actions, in accordance with the USC Code of Ethics.

• Collaborates with team members and management, implementing effective communication, engagement, and culture solutions to support the department’s vision. Maintains currency with technology, standards, and best practices. Supports process improvement efforts within and across teams. Provides consistent, thoughtful and impactful mentorship to team members.

Education and Experience:

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education

Minimum Experience: 3 years, Combined education/experience as substitute for minimum experience

Minimum Field of Expertise: Thorough knowledge of marketing and business management.  Knowledge of the principles, practices, concepts and methodology of marketing.  Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills.

A strong candidate will be detail-oriented with a strong work ethic, comfortable working under minimal supervision and able to coordinate production of assigned projects independently and with a team, in a fast paced and high-volume work environment with deadline pressures. MUST include 2 – 3 writing samples with application.

We look forward to reviewing your application!

This is an exempt position with a hybrid work schedule. On-site work is expected at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work during normal operating hours, after hours, and on weekends as needed. Some travel for events, training, and conferences to maintain skills and knowledge is required.

This position's annual base salary range is up to $156,150 annually. 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, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, and external market and organizational considerations.

USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D( opens in new window) for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying. 

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying. 

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at [email protected]. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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