Director of Development Communications

USC Athletics is looking to hire a Director of Development Communications to join our staff and student community of 600+ individuals.  This role is responsible for developing and coordinating all communications for the USC Athletics Development office. This position will write content for solicitations, campaigns, along with websites and other media. The Director of Development Communications will serve as a key member of the annual giving team supporting all external fundraising campaigns and giving initiatives.

Reporting directly to Parker Poliakoff, Associate Athletic Director, the Director of Development Communications will work in collaboration with the athletics development office, membership services team, the athletics marketing office, the central advancement annual giving team, and individual sport programs. The ideal candidate will have experience in fundraising communications with strong writing skills. They are goal oriented with a strong attention to detail. The ideal candidate will also have a collaborative mindset, a high level of creativity, and proficiency in Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Cloud. Knowledge of and experience working in higher education preferred. Understanding of the unique culture and needs of college athletes preferred.

This position serves a diverse student and staff population, must demonstrate a commitment to improving outcomes for historically under-served populations, and is expected to contribute to the program’s diversity, inclusion, and equity efforts. USC Athletics is committed to increasing diversity in its staff and welcomes applications from persons of all backgrounds, ethnicities, races, genders, and sexual orientations.

This is an exempt position with the expectation to work in the office five days a week.

Roles and responsibilities to include:

• Develop and coordinate all Athletics Development communications: includes solicitations, proposals, letters, brochures, advertisements, invitations, campaign collateral.

• Design, implement, and conduct annual solicitations.

• Assist with writing annual fundraising appeals.

• Collaborate with campus partners to execute various development initiatives.

• Utilize innovative strategies to discover new donors and increase philanthropic support.

• Manage Athletics Development communications with various constituent groups such as former student-athletes, student-athlete parents, and volunteer boards.

• Assist with the creation and execution of development specific advertisement and marketing campaigns.

• Promotes an environment that fosters inclusive relationships and creates unbiased opportunities for contributions through ideas, words, and actions that uphold principles of the USC Code of Ethics.

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

Qualifications

• The ideal candidate will possess a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of five years of experience (seven years preferred). Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education.

• Proficient with Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Cloud, and the ability to navigate CRM and marketing email systems.

• Valid driver’s license is required.

• Experience working in higher education and/or a sports related field ideal.

In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment to USC’s Unifying Values of integrity, excellence, diversity, equity and inclusion, well-being, open communication and accountability.

Salary Range:

The annual base salary range for this position is $78,000- $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.

To Apply:

All candidates must submit a resume with their application. Additional materials may be requested at a later date. All USC employees will undergo reference checking and background screening prior to hire.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

USC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. 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 D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.