Digital Communications Specialist

In order for your application to be considered, please attach a cover letter and resume to your employment application.

The Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics at the University of Southern California is seeking a Digital Communications Specialist to join the Center’s Communication team. This is a full-time, 2-year (renewable) fixed term position. Hybrid work arrangement.

At the Schaeffer Center, we develop and effectively communicate evidence-based policy solutions that measurably improve lives and drive innovation in healthcare. The Schaeffer Center’s Public Affairs team strategically engages with public and private sector stakeholders to provide them with an evidence-base for policy solutions.

The Digital Communications Specialist is a pivotal role within communications. Working with the Director of Communications and Data Visualization Specialist, they will translate Center research and findings into engaging content for multiple audiences and platforms. The Digital Communications Specialist will primarily be responsible for the Center’s social media presence, newsletters and e-blasts. They will also provide support on press releases, blogs and updating the website.

This position requires a high degree of organization, ability to successfully manage multiple concurrent priorities, and skill in coordinating workflows and tasks among contributors and staff to progress projects. Ideal candidates should have an understanding of health policy and healthcare research or a strong interest and willingness to learn. This position is an integral part of the Center communications and helps with the development of an overall strategy, tracking and analyzing metrics, and planning the Center’s editorial calendar. This full-time position offers growth potential for the ideal candidate.

Job Duties:

• Develops a sophisticated digital engagement strategy, including social media, blogs, video and e-blasts to further the outreach of Center work

• Creates digital event invitations, digital newsletters and other e-blasts

• Supports the Center website updates, ensuring accuracy and timeliness of postings, and creation of engaging outputs to portray Center research

• Leads social media strategy, including developing creative and engaging content across platforms, reacting to metrics, and maintaining Center brand, tone, and professionalism

• Writes occasional press releases, news stories and blog posts

• Works with Communications Director to develop relevant metrics and stories of impact that resulted from successfully disseminating Center research

• Evaluates and follows procedures and USC Policy in accordance with communications and branding best practices to ensure quality control and efficiency

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

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s Degree

Preferred Education:

Master's Degree

Minimum Experience:

4 years progressive experience translating healthcare research and health policy into engaging visual content for multiple audiences/platforms and leading social media efforts

Preferred Experience:

6 Years [Combined experience/education as substitute for experience.]

Minimum Fields of Expertise:

Excellence in organizational and project management skills

Excellence in social media

Excellence in written and oral communications

Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop)

Proficiency in WordPress

Proficiency in designing Presentations (MS PowerPoint)

Understanding of health policy or healthcare research

Preferred Expertise:

Expertise in digital communications, including social media, e-blasts and websites

Expertise in translating data into engaging, user-friendly content

Experience with health policy or related fields

Compensation

Competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Position is 100% FTE on a 2-year (renewable) fixed term.

The hourly rate range for this position is $36.17 - $38.50. 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.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: Please attach your cover letter, resume, and samples of your work

About the Schaeffer Center:

The Schaeffer Center measurably improves value in health through evidence based policy solutions, research excellence, and private and public sector engagement. The Center is a unique collaboration of the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy and the USC School of Pharmacy. To learn more, please visit us on the web at healthpolicy.usc.edu, on Twitter @schaeffercenter, and on Facebook at facebook.com/SchaefferUSC.

The University of Southern California values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity in employment.

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.