Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives & Communications

About the role

The Office of USC Communications is seeking a Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives & Communications to lead high-impact communications initiatives that advance the University of Southern California’s reputation and bring the university’s most important institutional priorities to life. Reporting to the Interim Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer, the Senior Director will serve as a senior strategist and cross-functional leader responsible for developing and executing integrated communications strategies for major university initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead communications strategy for major university priorities, developing integrated strategies and initiatives that strengthen USC’s reputation and bring the university’s most important stories to life.
• Provide strategic communications leadership for USC’s engagement with a global mega event, identifying and activating opportunities to showcase USC’s people, expertise, impact and deep connection to Los Angeles before, during and following the event.
• Lead communications strategy for USC’s 150th anniversary, developing a compelling, university-wide narrative and integrated program that celebrates USC’s history and impact while building excitement for its future.
• Serve as a senior strategic advisor to the Interim Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer and university leaders on brand positioning, institutional priorities and high-profile communications opportunities.
• Lead complex, cross-university strategic initiatives from concept through execution, establishing clear objectives, strategies, workstreams, milestones and measures of success.
• Build alignment and collaboration across USC, partnering with schools, administrative units and communications teams to create cohesive strategies, messages and experiences across the university.
• Identify distinctive opportunities to elevate USC’s story and reputation, connecting the university’s academic excellence, research, innovation, student experience, athletics, arts and culture, alumni impact and relationship with Los Angeles.
• Provide leadership across strategic initiatives, setting clear direction, fostering accountability and collaboration, and continuously improving how strategic communications initiatives are planned and delivered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communication, business administration, psychology or a related field.
• Six (6) years of experience in management and/or leadership roles.
• Twelve (12) years of experience in project management, business administration, business strategy, human resources and/or related areas.
• Experience developing and implementing strategic plans, programs or initiatives from concept through execution.
• Experience leading complex, cross-functional projects and aligning stakeholders and resources around organizational objectives.
• Experience developing project proposals, establishing and tracking measures of success, resolving implementation issues and presenting results and recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Proven success leading teams, with the ability to establish goals and objectives, coach, develop and create accountability.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and demonstrated experience leveraging project portfolio management tools.