Associate Vice President, Strategic Communications

The University of Southern California (USC) is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking professional to lead and execute strategic communications, marketing and employee engagement as the AssociateVice President, Strategic Communications. The AVP Strategic Communications will be responsible for creating and implementing integrated, comprehensive, multi-media employee communications, marketing and branding programs, campaigns and visions, by coordinating across each of the HR division’s Centers of Excellence (COEs). This key role will focus primarily on internal HR and employee communications, but also extend to include potential candidates, retirees and other populations as necessary, providing insight on all USC has to offer, enhancing the employee experience and the University’s mission.

Reporting directly to the Senior Vice President of Human Resources, this role will serve alongside senior leadership, ensuring that division goals and priorities are met by employing timely and effective marketing and communication strategies across the HR Division and the employee community. The AVP Strategic Communications will plan, develop and implement all HR and HR Partner communications and marketing strategies reaching across, and extending beyond the USC community. Overseeing the development and implementation of relevant supporting branding assets, materials and services, the AVP will direct their staff’s efforts by partnering strategically and tactically with other divisional units. The AVP will be responsible for providing leadership, oversight, and technical direction for all HR communications and marketing efforts in support of the division’s core objectives, in-line with institutional brand and marketing guidelines of the University Communications Office.

Specific/Additional Accountabilities

• Creates, guides, implements and measures the success of a comprehensive, multi-media communications and marketing program for university human resources that facilitates effective, strategic internal and external communications

• Provides editorial direction and design for, and produces and distributes, all university human resources communications and marketing materials

• Develops overall communication strategies and identifies relevant objectives and appropriate communications platforms

• Reviews and approves communications content, assures effective and timely delivery to selected audiences, and collects and analyzes metrics

• Serves as the chief leader and architect for the division’s communication and marketing platforms (e.g., social media, print publications, website)

• Responsible for executive communications (e.g., mass emails, speeches, PowerPoint presentations) of the HR senior vice president and other senior leadership, as appropriate

• Works collaboratively with HR leadership and subject-matter experts (SMEs), promoting the division’s mission, brand, programs, and services via current and emerging communication channels

• Oversees the marketing, communication and branding of employee engagement initiatives (e.g., employee pulse surveys, mentorship programs), including advising on professional development, influencing strategic learning and development initiatives across the organization from a communications and marketing perspective

• Leads and supervises HR communications and marketing staff, reviews and monitors staff performance, and addresses identified performance issues and staff development needs

• Establishes the team’s short- and long-term goals, and building processes and procedures to assure work assignments are both appropriately balanced among staff and achievable within deadlines and delivery structures

• Works closely with other university leaders and offices to assure HR communications are appropriately coordinated with broader university-wide themes and strategies, aiding with responses to media inquiries as appropriate

• Ensures all communications platforms are ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant. Leads and/or participates in special projects as assigned by the HR senior vice president.

Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

The Ideal Candidate

• Master’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing, public affairs, higher education, or other relevant fields
• Over 15 years of demonstrated experience in brand strategy and workforce communications, creating and executing comprehensive communication plans within complex, multi-stakeholder environments, such as those found in higher education, nonprofit/public sectors, or other large decentralized environments
• Strategic acumen and demonstrated communications leadership across previous roles
• A keen awareness of cultural complexities and a high degree of cultural sensitivity
• Adept at translating complex information into relevant and understandable communications for multiple audiences
• Awareness of broad communication conception, audiences, timing and sequencing
• Excellent graphic design, video editing, and other multimedia skills
• Demonstrated experience with office management communication software and tools (e.g., Google Suite, Slack, Skype)

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Education:

• Master’s degree; Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education

Minimum Experience:

• 15 years; Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education

Minimum Field of Expertise:

• Bachelor’s degree and professional experience in communications, journalism, marketing, or other relevant fields
• Exceptional business orientation, strategic leadership experience, and competency and knowledge related to multi-media communication, marketing and branding modalities (in-person and virtual)
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple projects and budgets, with proven organizational savvy and a record of meeting concurrent deadlines
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with strong, proven attention to detail
• Editing, graphic design, and/or content production and management experience, able to professionally and efficiently partner with design professionals and produce high-quality deliverables within budget
• Excellent, demonstrated leadership skills, with experience setting strategy, exercising judgement, and guiding teams in complex environments
• Experience managing various stakeholder groups (e.g., vendors and enterprise, local, and executive stakeholders) and managing a high degree of change in fast-paced, complex, and demanding environments
• Extensive experience with large, complex systems, demonstrating versatility, resilience, and a self-starting ability to establish and maintain credibility with all levels of an enterprise
• Experience leading and guiding high-performing, inclusive teams of diverse individuals, fostering an environment of trust, collaboration, transparency, and accountability
• Knowledge of enterprise-wide web development and social media processes and policies, and all laws guiding strategic marketing efforts (e.g., advertising law, copyright/trademark regulations, libel, Freedom of Information Act)

What We Offer

We pride ourselves on being a GREAT PLACE TOWORK, and that begins with our employees! We offer a wide variety of benefits and programs that support our staff and their families, including:

• 
  Benefits: Health, dental, and vision plans, tuition assistance for our employees and their families, paid time off, flexible spending accounts, 2:1 retirement plan contribution, child care centers, and up to $50,000 housing subsidy. And because we are a qualifying public service organization, you may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) for educational loans. Please visit usc.edu for additional information
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  Perks: Discounts to USC sporting events, USC Bookstores, wireless plans, travel, accommodations, and local entertainment
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  Career Growth: We are the largest private employer in Los Angeles, offering tremendous development opportunities in multiple fields and industries

Minimum Education: Master’s degree; Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 15 years Minimum Field of Expertise: Bachelor’s degree and professional experience in communications, journalism, marketing, or other relevant fields. Exceptional business orientation, strategic leadership experience, and competency and knowledge related to multi-media communication, marketing and branding modalities (in-person and virtual). Demonstrated experience managing multiple projects and budgets, with proven organizational savvy and a record of meeting concurrent deadlines. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with strong, proven attention to detail. Editing, graphic design, and/or content production and management experience, able to professionally and efficiently partner with design professionals and produce high-quality deliverables within budget. Excellent, demonstrated leadership skills, with experience setting strategy, exercising judgement, and guiding teams in complex environments. Experience managing various stakeholder groups (e.g., vendors, and enterprise, local, and executive stakeholders) and managing a high degree of change in fast-paced, complex, and demanding environments. Extensive experience with large, complex systems, demonstrating versatility, resilience, and a self-starting ability to establish and maintain credibility with all levels of an enterprise. Experience leading and guiding high-performing, inclusive teams of diverse individuals, fostering an environment of trust, collaboration, transparency, and accountability. Knowledge of enterprise-wide web development and social media processes and policies, and all laws guiding strategic marketing efforts (e.g., advertising law, copyright/trademark regulations, libel, Freedom of Information Act).