Director, Communications

Under the supervision of the Senior Director of Administration and based out of either the USC Shoah Foundation’s Los Angeles or Washington, DC offices, this role is responsible for executing all strategic communications across the Institute, developing bespoke communications plans for individual programs, crisis communications, overseeing digital platforms including social media, website and YouTube, managing the brand, fostering coverage of the Institute by external media outlets, and creating new strategies and modes of communication to reach additional audiences in the US and abroad.

Success in the position includes year-over-year increased engagement and traffic on the Institute's digital platforms; continual maintenance of an approved suite of communication documents, templates and guidelines that streamline workflow; create efficiencies, and create a coordinated and systematic implementation of communication strategies; increased placement of communication stories and increased coverage of the Institute's programmatic work by external media and digital outlets. 

This is a fixed-term position and a full-time role eligible for benefits, including medical, dental and vision plans.

Responsibilities and Duties :

• Develops and executes public communications goals and strategies for the USCSF and participates in long-range and short-term strategic planning, as assigned.

• Interfaces with USC Central Communications, USC Identity, news outlets, social media, and community channels in all matters of communication to define the USCSF message and vision.

• Designs and produces comprehensive media elements through current best practices, platform determination, benchmarking, messaging and audience. Directs the generation of content, rapid media response protocol, top line messaging and positioning, identifying priorities, themes and milestone moments, and creating Institute speaker’s guidelines.

• Oversee the development,  placement, and transformation of digital content for the Institute's online platforms, including its website, YouTube, and its social media channels. Oversee Institute’s social media and YouTube presence and integrate social media with other multimedia content strategy. Together with social media officer, strategize to increase social media engagement with external partners.

• Oversee editorial strategy, communication grids, tracking documents and planning calendars and generating story ideas for Institute channels (website, social, etc.) as well as external media.

• Work with the CEO to develop major media campaigns and position the organization in key outlets across multiple professional sectors.

• Update, create, codify, and socialize new strategic communication guidelines and workflows, in consultation with Department heads and Executive Office.

• Provide expertise and advice to programs and departments as it relates to communications opportunities and best practices and spearhead and oversee the development of tailored communications strategies for individual initiatives and launches, including media outreach plans and messaging documents. Advise on marketing and publicity strategy for initiatives.

• Act as point for all press inquiries and coverage of the Institute. Assesses and critically evaluate inquiries, coordinate coverage, manage flow of information and work with external PR consultants to help successfully execute the coverage.

• Manages a team of 3-5 staff and consultants, provides training and mentorship, and delivers performance reviews.

• Work with the office of Advancement to secure funding for media outreach and communications.

• Manages and allocates communications and marketing budget.

• Coordinate PR workflow among program leads, executive office, social, web, and external partners making sure internal and external communications and progress is maintained and that final reporting is completed.

• Provide editorial feedback on digital multimedia stories, and when needed, write articles, profiles and tributes, and other communication and information products.

• Plan for and oversee photo and video coverage of Institute events. 

• Develop communications guides and ensure brand compliance.

• Supervise in-house design of presentation decks and Institute promotional material.

• Enhance marketing and communications benefits of existing major Institute partnerships.
   

Qualifications:

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
 

Preferred Experience: 7 Years

Minimum Field of Expertise: Public relations, communications, non-profit, journalism or related field with supervisory experience.
 

Other Skills : Budget control. Budget development. Communication -- written and oral skills. Conceptualization and design. Creative writing and editing. Graphic design. Knowledge of applicable laws/policies/principles/etc. Negotiation. Networking. Organizational Planning. Problem identification and resolution. Project management. Public relations. Public speaking/presentations. Research. Supervisory Skills. Technologically savvy (Experience with Adobe Creative Suite, Google Analytics, Email & Social Media Marketing Platforms)

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.

• Notice of Non-discrimination
• Employment Equity
• Read USC’s Clery Act Annual Security Report
• USC is a smoke-free environment
• Digital Accessibility

If you are a current USC employee, please apply to this  USC job posting in Workday by copying and pasting this link into your browser: