Assistant Director for Events and Communications

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Entering its 25th Anniversary year, The Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy (The Center) is seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Assistant Director for Events and Communications to join its team. Reporting to the Senior Associate Director, the Assistant Director, The Center is seeking a skilled and experienced event manager.  This position is responsible for the conceptualization, planning and execution of major events including speaker series, conferences, receptions, board meetings, and social engagements to post event follow-up.. These events are highly curated – meaning guest lists are very thoughtfully compiled.  All The Center’s events and meetings are uniquely different and include highly curated guest lists. Invitees and speakers are high profile leaders in the philanthropic community.  As such, The Center is responsible for maintaining a high level of confidentiality, manage their press and public relations teams and occasionally their security teams who can support The Center in strategic event planning and skilled execution, from concept to post event follow-up.

With the Director and Senior Associate Director, the Assistant Director will also design and produce media elements to enhance the national awareness of The Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy and its events and convenings in all areas of media, including social media, to build meaningful connections and communicate The Center’s goals, messages, and impact.  Drafts informational and marketing materials for review for assigned programs.  Assists in developing support materials for specific fundraising activities.

The Assistant Director will also manage website and content channels to ensure that all media/multimedia content is fresh, up-to-date, compelling and accurately reflects the Center’s point of view and priorities.

This position manages student workers and volunteers involved with event production and communication efforts as needed. This is a full-time, one year fixed term, grant funded position, with a fully on-site work arrangement, located on the USC Los Angeles University Park Campus.

Job Accountabilities:

• Plans, implements and manages The Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy events (e.g.  contract and vendor negotiations, program development, timelines, briefings, day-of production).

• Acts as the department liaison with stakeholders by participating in regular program development meetings and providing event consultations and planning services.

• Develops and manages event budgets. Provides projections and reports for budget development and administration purposes.

• Screens, hires and oversees work of numerous outside vendors required to effectively complete assignments.

• Oversees event communications and collaborates on marketing across social media channels, events calendars and internal reservation systems. Creates and sends internal external events newsletters.

• Ensures all events adhere to event safety protocols and meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. Advises faculty, staff and students on university-wide events protocols.

• Supports the organization of internal staff and faculty gatherings to facilitate community building and internal engagement.

• Recruits, screens, hires and trains student staff. Plans assignments and delegates tasks to ensure event deadlines are met. Handles conflict and escalates issues as they arise. Approves timesheets and adjusts work schedules as required. Performs other duties as assigned or requested.

Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree.

Knowledge, Experience & Skills

• 5 years of event planning and scheduling experience preferred; combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education

• Proven success overseeing large-scale events

• Ability to coordinate with internal and external stakeholders

• Experience executing events that include high profile individuals and their staff/teams which may include publicists and private security details

• Knowledge of marketing, communications and social media

• Excellent interpersonal skills

• Ability to perform well under pressure individually and as part of a team

• Excellent written and oral communication skills

• Knowledge of relevant software and databases to support constituent-relationship management, marketing and communications, and social media efforts.

• Experience with budget development, implementation and reconciliation

• Familiarity with strategic planning and implementing department goals through event management

• Must be able to travel to/from the USC University Park Campus to various venues

• Integrity, accountability and diplomacy

Compensation:

The annual base salary range for this position is $87,797 - $105,617. 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 equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

About the Sol Price School of Public Policy

Founded in 1929, the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy provides education and conducts research focused on public policy, urban planning and real estate development. Ranked 4th nationwide among 269 schools of public affairs, the USC Price School advances society through better governance and institutional leadership, sustainable urban development and more effective social and health care policy. With a commitment to public service, its graduates become leaders in government, nonprofit agencies, and the private sector, while faculty shape policy through innovative, fact-based research.

USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix Dfor specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying. 

USC is an equal-opportunity educator and employer, proudly pluralistic and firmly committed to providing equal opportunity for outstanding persons of every race, gender, creed, and background. The university particularly encourages members of underrepresented groups, veterans and individuals with disabilities to apply. USC will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree Addtional Education Requirements Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 5 years with event planning and scheduling Minimum Skills: Proven success overseeing large scale events, coordinating with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders. Knowledge of relevant software and databases to support constituent-relationship management, marketing and communications, and social media efforts. Excellent interpersonal skills. Ability to perform well under pressure, individually and as part of a team. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Preferred Education: Bachelor's degree Preferred Skills: Experience with university events. Understanding of Los Angeles event market. In-depth experience with budget development and implementation. Familiarity with strategic planning and implementing department goals through event management. Knowledge of one or more foreign languages (e.g., Spanish).