Assistant Director of Advancement Communications

Assistant Director of Advancement Communications

Department: USC Communications, Advancement

Application Requirements

Resume and cover letter are required, and please indicate in your cover letter your preference(s) for the positions you are applying for. Three writing samples are also required, including at least one solicitation or one-pager (for Annual Giving position and/or Planned Giving position) or one profile or impact story (for Donor Relations position). Please ensure your application includes your resume, cover letter, and three writing samples, as incomplete applications will not be considered.

Overview

As an employee of USC, you will be a part of a world-class research university and a member of the "Trojan Family," which comprises the faculty, students, and staff that make the university a prime place to learn, grow, and succeed.

USC Communications seeks to recruit three talented and experienced communications professionals for the position of Assistant Director of Advancement Communications. These positions report to a Senior Director of Communications and will support one of the following: Annual Giving, Donor Relations, and Planned Giving. 

The Communications team sets the strategic communications vision and marketing strategies that promote the campus community’s innovative accomplishments, builds a strong brand identity, and nurtures the University’s reputation among its vast constituencies. The Assistant Director inspires, promotes, and acknowledges gifts to USC through strategic content.

The ideal candidates thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and succeed through collaboration, attention to detail, high quality communication, and a commitment to excellence for self and others.

Assistant Director of Advancement Communications (Annual Giving) Job Responsibilities:

• Inspires, promotes, and acknowledges annual gifts to USC through strategic content.

• Provides strategic direction and direct creative support for the Annual Giving team, particularly for major solicitation campaigns and special events.

• Coordinates, develops, writes, and edits clear, compelling, persuasive, and brand compliant copy for solicitations, marketing campaigns, stewardship and other communications supporting annual giving.

• Oversees review and approval processes and delivers final products on established timelines.

• Conducts independent research and partners with subject matter experts and prospect managers to develop programmatic and storytelling content.

• Develops and maintains current knowledge of university priorities, brand, style, and stories.

• Supports a variety of University Advancement communications projects and goals by providing general writing and editing support for impact reports, marketing collateral, and other materials that support fundraising and stewardship.     

• Other duties as assigned.

Assistant Director of Advancement Communications (Donor Relations) Job Responsibilities:

• Acknowledges and celebrates gifts to USC through strategic content.

• Provides strategic direction and direct creative support for the Stewardship and Donor Relations team.

• Coordinates, develops, writes and edits clear, compelling, persuasive, and brand compliant copy for multi-channel stewardship materials including impact reports, donor stories, stewardship videos, social media posts, holiday messages, magazines, and newsletters.

• Oversees review and approval processes and delivers final products on established timelines.

• Conducts independent research and partners with prospect managers to develop storytelling and stewardship content.

• Develops and maintains current knowledge of university priorities, brand, style and stories. Partners with fundraisers in University Advancement, schools and units to develop high-quality stewardship deliverables.

• Supports a variety of University Advancement communications projects and goals by providing general writing and editing support for marketing collateral and other materials that support fundraising and stewardship.   

• Other duties as assigned.

Assistant Director of Advancement Communications (Planned Giving) Job Responsibilities:

• Inspires, promotes, and acknowledges planned gifts to USC through strategic content.

• Coordinates, develops, writes and edits clear, compelling, persuasive, and brand compliant copy for donor stories, marketing campaigns, stewardship, and other communications supporting planned and estate giving.

• Manages partnership with planned-giving marketing vendors.

• Oversees review and approval processes and delivers final products on established timelines.

• Conducts independent research and partners with subject matter experts and prospect managers to develop technical, programmatic, and storytelling content.

• Develops and maintains current knowledge of university priorities, brand, style, and stories.

• Supports a variety of University Advancement communications projects and goals by providing general writing and editing support for impact reports, marketing collateral, and other materials that support fundraising and stewardship.   

• Other duties as assigned.

These are hybrid positions under our current work arrangement plan, with the expectation of on-site presence in our offices in the USC Tower located adjacent to campus in downtown Los Angeles.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree.

• 3 years’ experience in marketing.

• Combined experience/education can substitute for minimum education and minimum experience

• Thorough knowledge of marketing and business management.

• Knowledge of the principles, practices, concepts, and methodology of marketing.

• Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills.

In addition, the successful candidates must also demonstrate, through ideas, words, and actions, a strong commitment to USC’s Unifying Values.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree.

Salary and Benefits

The budgeted salary range for these positions is $85,089.00 - $107,000.00. When determining an offer, the University of Southern California considers factors such as the scope and responsibilities of the role, the candidate’s experience, education, training, key skills, internal peer alignment, applicable laws, contractual requirements, grant funding, and market conditions.

USC has excellent benefits, including health benefits for staff & their family with access to the renowned university medical network; eligibility for retirement plans with employer contributions once you meet Program's eligibility; tuition benefits for staff & their family; free professional development online courses; central Los Angeles location with easy access to commuter trains, buses & free tram pick up services; discounts to football, basketball & other campus events.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 3 years, Combined education/experience as substitute for minimum experience Minimum Field of Expertise: Thorough knowledge of marketing and business management. Knowledge of the principles, practices, concepts and methodology of marketing. Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills.