Director, Media Relations

USC is seeking a strategic and innovative communications leader to shape and elevate the university's national media presence. This role will lead proactive media strategy, build journalist relationships, and identify compelling stories that showcase USC's academic excellence, research, innovation, and institutional impact.

About the Role

The Director of Media Relations will establish and oversee a formal university news bureau, develop programs to prepare faculty and leaders for media engagement, and create opportunities to amplify USC's thought leadership and reputation. This role strengthens USC's reputation while fostering pride across the Trojan community.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead a proactive university news bureau that identifies, prioritizes, and promotes stories highlighting USC's academic excellence, research, faculty expertise, student success, philanthropy, and institutional impact.
• Identify and elevate timely stories that showcase the university's people, ideas, discoveries, and achievements to strengthen USC's reputation.
• Establish editorial priorities and oversee a strategic media content calendar aligned with university priorities and major news opportunities.
• Lead the creation and execution of integrated communications campaigns across websites, social media, digital publications, video, photography, and traditional media.
• Stay current on emerging communications trends, technologies, and best practices to enhance effectiveness.
• Develop and manage a university-wide faculty experts' program and speakers' bureau to connect journalists with USC subject matter experts.
• Serve as a trusted communications advisor to university leadership, providing strategic counsel on media opportunities, messaging, and reputational issues.
• Lead media preparedness initiatives, including training and coaching for university leadership, faculty, and subject matter experts.
• Develop proactive media strategies around major institutional initiatives and high-profile events, such as LA28 games.
• Partner with schools and academic units to identify newsworthy achievements and translate complex topics into compelling stories.
• Leverage media intelligence tools (e.g., Meltwater, Muck Rack) to identify opportunities, analyze trends, track coverage, and measure performance.
• Direct and mentor communications staff, including recruitment, performance management, and professional development.
• Manage departmental budgets and ensure effective resource allocation.
• Oversee vendor relationships and ensure projects meet quality, brand, and strategic objectives.
• Ensure compliance with university policies and applicable regulations.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in journalism, public relations, media relations, or strategic communications.
• Management experience leading communications, journalism, or public relations teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Seven or more years of communications leadership experience.
• Experience in higher education or other complex organizations.
• Experience developing strategic communications initiatives that strengthen organizational reputation.
• Experience building or leading proactive media relations programs, newsroom operations, or editorial content strategies.
• Experience developing executive communications, thought leadership, or faculty/expert visibility initiatives.
• Experience leading integrated communications strategies across earned media, digital, social, and multimedia platforms.
• Experience using media monitoring, database, and analytics platforms (e.g., Meltwater, Muck Rack, Cision).

Why USC

At USC, you'll join one of the world's leading private research universities, committed to innovation, academic excellence, and meaningful impact. You'll work alongside talented colleagues in a collaborative environment where your ideas help shape the stories that define the university.

Pay

The anticipated annual base salary for this position is up to $155,000. When extending an offer, USC considers factors such as scope and responsibilities, candidate experience, education, skills, internal alignment, laws, and external market considerations.

Benefits

USC provides benefits-eligible employees with a broad range of benefits and perks to support health, wealth, and future well-being for employees and their dependents.

Resume, cover letter, and a portfolio or examples of media campaigns and communications work are required for application.