Communications Lead

University of Southern California•Los Angeles, CA

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work is seeking a Communications Lead to provide advanced-level communications support for the school. This role focuses on developing and executing content creation and development strategies, steering departmental public relations efforts, and maintaining brand consistency. The position collaborates with faculty, staff, students, university leadership, alumni, donors, and community partners.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education
3 years of experience, Combined education/experience as substitute for minimum experience
Thorough knowledge of marketing and business management.
Knowledge of the principles, practices, concepts and methodology of marketing.
Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills.
Detail-oriented with a strong work ethic.
Comfortable working under minimal supervision.
Able to coordinate production of assigned projects independently and with a team.
Ability to work in a fast-paced and high-volume work environment with deadline pressures.
MUST include 2 – 3 writing samples with application.

Responsibilities

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.