Program Administrator

The USC School of Cinematic Arts’ International Programs office is at the forefront of global film and media training.  Since 2005, the USC School of Cinematic Arts (SCA) has successfully developed and offered customized international consulting and on-site training for international film schools, global media companies, and government agencies as they invest in emerging media markets around the world. Past consulting and training programs have spanned the cinematic arts landscape, and services have included curriculum development, facilities and equipment design, recruiting and assessing prospective faculty, student and program evaluations, as well as targeted in-person and virtual training programs for students, professionals, and educators.  

SCA is currently consulting on special training projects in Africa, Saudi Arabia, and China, in addition to celebrating our eleventh year producing the American Film Showcase, a cultural diplomacy program with the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.  Each year, SCA sends American documentary filmmakers and experts to more than 60 countries for multiday workshops, special screenings, and presentations.  Past and current SCA partnerships have included Shanghai Tech University, Globo Brazil, Tencent, Netflix, Walt Disney Studios, and NEOM University (Saudi Arabia), as well as with several U.S. institutions.

Job Description:

The position of Program Administrator is responsible for coordinating the logistical, management, and budgetary components of SCA’s international partnerships, working closely with the School of Cinematic Arts Associate Dean for International Programs, and reporting to the SCA Program Manager of the ongoing Netflix Grow Creative programs.  This person will interface with SCA’s international partners, USC faculty, SCA staff, USC’s General Counsel office and SCA’s business office and Operations, among others. Our scope is dynamic as new projects emerge and existing partnerships evolve.  However, this position will primarily focus on our current Netflix Grow Creative programs, which include in-person and virtual workshops designed to upskill mid-career to advanced film and television producers, writers and directors in territories including Europe, Turkey, Indonesia, India, Thailand, South Africa, and Middle East. The qualified candidate should possess excellent management and coordination experience, personal initiative, writing and in-person communications skills, and an interest in global film education.

The position may require occasional international travel to plan and coordinate in-person training workshops in collaboration with Netflix Grow Creative and Content teams, workshop instructors, and local partners. 

This is a full-time fixed-term in-person position based at the USC School of Cinematic Arts in Los Angeles. 

Job Responsibilities:

• Assist the Program Manager and SCA international staff in planning and preparing logistics, content, and administrative components for the special Netflix Grow Creative training workshops, and other SCA international programs.   
• Serve as liaison between SCA and external international partners, and when requested, communicate university policies and operating procedures to the partners and clients.
• Accompany the SCA Associate Dean, Netflix Program Manager or workshop instructors at assigned international workshops to organize, set up and coordinate with Netflix staff and local partners in these countries for two to four-day in-person intensive workshops.    
• Work closely with the designated SCA program administrator who oversees the various international project budgets, accounting and costs, including travel-related operations, oversight and follow-up.
• Support the Associate Dean and SCA Program Manager in developing budgets and narratives for proposed new international consulting services.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree, preferred in film, television or related media programming work experience;  combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education
• 5 years of work experience and responsibilities in related field
• Exceptional writing and oral communication skills
• Working within a small collaborative staff environment
• Experience with budget organization and management
• Technical expertise in setting up, maintaining and troubleshooting in-person and virtual international workshops
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to oversee multiple projects daily
• Adaptable, resourceful, and calm in the face of unexpected problems.
• Outstanding people skills to work with many types of individuals in diverse international cultural settings
• Sensitivity and adherence to issues of university and client protocols and policies

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree
• 5 - 7 years work experience in a related field
• Familiarity with international cultural affairs
• Familiarity with USC management and financial systems
• International work or educational experience
• Fluency in a second language

The salary range for this position is $82,792-$90,000. 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 equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

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 what it is.  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 Minimum Field of Expertise: Directly related professional experience in area of program specialization.