Director of Marketing

University of Southern California • Los Angeles, CA

1d • $110,000 - $118,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The University of Southern California (USC) seeks a strategic, collaborative, and creative marketing leader to serve as Director of Marketing for the USC Alumni Association (USCAA). The USCAA, within the Division of University Advancement, strengthens lifelong connections between the university and over 500,000 alumni worldwide. The Director will lead marketing strategy and operations to reach, engage, and inspire USC's diverse alumni community, developing integrated, audience-centered approaches to increase awareness and participation, strengthen alumni connections, and elevate programs and opportunities. This role involves translating organizational priorities into effective marketing strategies, overseeing planning and execution, using data to strengthen results, and leading and developing assigned staff.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or combined experience/education as a substitute for the minimum education.
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in marketing or a related field.
• Thorough knowledge of marketing principles, practices, methodologies and techniques.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing marketing strategies, plans and campaigns.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and creative judgment.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to build productive relationships and collaborate effectively across teams and organizational levels.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree.
• Experience leading marketing strategy and operations within a complex, mission-driven organization.
• Experience supervising and developing staff and leading teams through both strategic planning and hands-on execution.
• Experience developing integrated, multi-channel marketing campaigns across digital, email, web, social and other audience engagement channels.
• Demonstrated ability to use audience segmentation, performance data and insights to optimize marketing strategies and strengthen engagement.
• Experience with CRM, marketing automation, email marketing and other digital marketing platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to build alignment, influence stakeholders and successfully navigate a complex, highly collaborative organization.
• Experience managing marketing budgets, vendors and creative or production partners.
• Experience using AI and other emerging technologies to enhance marketing strategy, content development, audience insights or operational effectiveness, with sound judgment regarding accuracy, privacy and appropriate use.
• Experience working within higher education, alumni engagement, membership, nonprofit or another relationship-based environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day marketing operations and develop short- and long-range strategies that advance the Alumni Association priorities and alumni engagement goals.
• Partner with leadership and key stakeholders to establish marketing goals, identify target audiences and translate organizational priorities into actionable plans.
• Supervise and develop assigned staff, establishing clear priorities and workflows while fostering collaboration and professional growth.
• Thoughtfully leverage emerging technologies, including AI-enabled tools, to enhance marketing strategy, audience engagement, content development and operational effectiveness while maintaining appropriate standards for accuracy, privacy, quality and human judgment.
• Plan and execute integrated marketing initiatives that promote alumni programs, events, services and engagement opportunities across appropriate channels.
• Develop and manage the Alumni Association's marketing calendar, coordinating priorities, schedules and deadlines across multiple initiatives.
• Oversee the development and distribution of marketing and promotional materials and ensure alignment with USC brand standards.
• Collaborate across teams to deliver coordinated, audience-centered marketing and communications.
• Use marketing data, reporting, research and audience feedback to evaluate performance, identify trends and inform strategy.
• Leverage audience insights and segmentation to strengthen targeting, engagement and marketing effectiveness.
• Translate findings into actionable recommendations and continuously optimize marketing approaches based on results.
• Stay current on evolving marketing practices, technologies and audience engagement strategies.
• Build strong, collaborative relationships across the USC Alumni Association, University Advancement and the broader university, as well as with relevant external partners and professional networks.
• Manage assigned marketing budgets and oversee vendors and external partners supporting marketing initiatives.
• Provide oversight to ensure consistent and appropriate use of USC brand elements.
• Represent the USC Alumni Association and university at meetings, events and professional activities, as appropriate.
• Perform other related duties as assigned or requested and fulfill applicable university responsibilities associated with the position.

Benefits

• health benefits for staff & their family with access to the renowned university medical network
• eligibility for retirement plans with employer contributions once you meet Program's eligibility
• tuition benefits for staff & their family
• free professional development online courses
• central Los Angeles location with easy access to commuter trains, buses & free tram pick up services
• discounts to football, basketball & other campus events

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director