Chief Communications Officer

University of Southern California•Los Angeles, CA

1d•$143,500 - $165,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The University of Southern California (USC) Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, a world-renowned institution dedicated to the science of aging, is seeking an innovative, strategic, and entrepreneurial Chief Communications Officer (CCO). This role is a key advisor to the Dean and senior leadership, responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive communications and reputation strategy. The goal is to advance the school's mission, enhance global visibility, boost enrollment, cultivate philanthropic support, elevate research impact, and establish USC Leonard Davis as the authoritative voice on aging and longevity. This position offers a unique opportunity to shape the narrative around aging, transforming public understanding and amplifying the school's leadership in research, education, policy, and innovation. The CCO will serve as the school's senior communications executive and chief storyteller, overseeing strategic communications, marketing, media relations, executive communications, digital strategy, content development, thought leadership, crisis communications, and stakeholder engagement. Collaboration with academic leadership, faculty, development, admissions, alumni relations, USC central communications, and external partners is essential to build awareness and strengthen the school's reputation among various stakeholders.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, public affairs, or a related field.
Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible communications leadership experience.
Demonstrated success leading communications strategy for a complex organization.
Significant experience in media relations and executive communications.
Outstanding writing, editing, storytelling, and presentation skills.
Experience managing teams, budgets, and external partners.
Strong understanding of digital communications, audience development, and analytics.
Ability to translate complex research and technical concepts into compelling narratives.
Excellent verbal and interpersonal communication skills to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, students, and external partners.
A creative mindset to develop engaging content, campaigns, and strategies that resonate with the audience.
Ability to adapt to evolving priorities, deadlines, and challenges while maintaining high-quality work.
Strong problem-solving skills to address unexpected challenges in communications and event promotion.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree.
Experience in higher education, healthcare, research institutions, foundations, or mission-driven organizations.
Experience supporting fundraising and advancement communications.
Familiarity with science, health, public policy, aging, or longevity-related fields.
Experience serving as a member of a senior leadership team.
Established national media relationships.

Responsibilities

Serve as a trusted advisor to the Dean and is a member of the Executive Team.
Develop and execute a comprehensive communications strategy aligned with institutional priorities.
Establish communications goals, performance metrics, and annual reporting processes.
Build and lead a high-performing communications function and culture.
Manage communications budgets, vendors, agencies, and production resources.
Provide leadership for reputation management and crisis communications planning.
Lead development and stewardship of the school's brand narrative and positioning.
Position USC Leonard Davis as the leading voice on aging, longevity, and gerontology.
Translate complex research and academic expertise into compelling public-facing stories.
Create messaging frameworks that resonate with diverse audiences, including students, donors, media, policymakers, and industry leaders.
Identify opportunities to elevate faculty and leadership as national thought leaders.
Develop and maintain relationships with national, international, healthcare, science, education, business, and public policy media.
Lead proactive media outreach and earned media campaigns.
Secure high-impact media placements, interviews, op-eds, and thought leadership opportunities.
Prepare faculty and leadership for media appearances and public speaking engagements.
Monitor emerging issues and develop rapid-response communications strategies.
Partner with admissions and enrollment leadership to strengthen recruitment efforts.
Develop campaigns supporting master's, doctoral, executive, and online programs.
Create compelling student, alumni, and career outcome storytelling.
Oversee digital marketing, content marketing, and audience engagement strategies.
Ensure communications efforts contribute directly to enrollment growth objectives.
Partner closely with our Development Office and the Dean to support fundraising priorities.
Helps develop donor-focused communications strategies.
Helps create impactful case statements, campaign narratives, and donor engagement materials.
Helps position aging and longevity as compelling philanthropic investment opportunities.
Elevate visibility of faculty research, centers, institutes, and grant-funded initiatives.
Develop research impact reports, policy briefs, and executive summaries.
Promote faculty awards, discoveries, publications, and external recognition.
Support communications efforts related to federal agencies, foundations, and research sponsors.
Increase awareness of the school's contributions to public policy and societal impact.
Oversee website strategy, digital experience, analytics, and Search Engine Optimization.
Lead development of integrated content platforms and editorial calendars.
Direct social media strategy across institutional channels.
Ensure all communications channels operate as a coordinated ecosystem.
Use analytics and audience insights to continuously improve performance.
Draft speeches, presentations, remarks, opinion pieces, and strategic communications for the Dean.
Support executive visibility and leadership positioning.
Manage communications related to major announcements, initiatives, partnerships, and milestones.