Senior Communications and Development Specialist

The University of Southern California (USC), founded in 1880, is located in the heart of downtown L.A. and is the largest private employer in the City of Los Angeles. As an employee of USC, you will be a part of a world‑class research university and a member of the "Trojan Family," which is comprised of the faculty, students and staff that make the university a great place to work.

The USC Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences is seeking a Senior Communications Specialist in the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies. The largest and oldest of the USC schools, USC Dornsife functions as the academic core of the university, offering courses and advancing knowledge across the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences.

The Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies (IACS) is a national and global research center at the University of Southern California. Our work focuses on bringing the Catholic intellectual tradition to bear on the key challenges facing modern society, including contributing to the ongoing development of Catholic theology and ethics for today's society. But our mission is also much broader, encompassing Catholicism's dialogue with science and technology, the social sciences, the humanities, and the legal and medical professions.

IACS also promotes collaboration with secular thinkers and other religions. We ask hard questions and explore new answers in light of the Catholic tradition and emerging new research.

The Senior Communications Specialist will support the organizational development of the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies at USC.

• Overseeing and reviewing development efforts and related content creation, ensuring clear, engaging communications.
• Managing leadership objectives, strategies and plans for organizational development, aligning messaging and supporting organizational change initiatives.
• Leading development efforts including documentation, database stewardship, and social media presence. Works with IACS president to develop and implement a written annual and long‑term strategic fundraising plan aligned with the Institute's academic goals and mission.
• Managing public communications efforts, maintaining the continuity and consistency of IACS supporters' experience.
• Aiding the cultivation of a culture of belonging, trust and transparency, sharing information broadly, openly and deliberately in support of IACS' mission.
• Building and maintaining collaborative relationships with IACS supporters and a wide variety of team peers and leaders.
• Actively embodying core USC, Dornsife, and IACS values and behaviors (e.g., accountability, ethics, best‑in‑class professional service).

• A deep understanding of the mission of higher education and the Catholic intellectual tradition.
• Exceptional interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills, with the ability to understand and articulate IACS' mission, the role of Catholic ideas in that mission, and the Institute's specific vision.
• Proficiency in database management (e.g., Air Table, Raiser's Edge, Salesforce, or similar).
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse constituencies across California communities, including scholars, clergy, and laypersons from the Catholic and other traditions.
• Spanish or other 2nd language proficiency.
• Ability to travel occasionally for donor meetings and work some evenings/weekends.

The annual base salary range for this position is $97,000-$110,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer alignment, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

• Minimum Education:
  
  Bachelor's degree.
• Preferred Education:
  
  Bachelor's degree in Communication, Marketing, or a related field.
• Minimum Experience:
  
  5 years in communications, marketing, higher education or related fields.
• Preferred Experience:
  
  Working in higher education administration or governmental administration (e.g., federal, state or local legislative or executive administration).
• Minimum
  
  Skills:
  
  Excellent written and oral communication skills, proven copy editing experience, nuanced messaging for varied audiences, experience managing public relations and developing social media presence, managing large distribution lists, interpreting policies and regulations, building positive working relationships, providing detailed information and summaries to management-level individuals, and presenting technical topics to non-technical audiences.