Director of Development Communications, Athletics

The University of Southern California (USC) is one of the world’s leading private research universities. An anchor institution in Los Angeles and a global center for arts, technology, and international business, USC is also one of the largest private employers in the City of Los Angeles.  We are searching for exceptional individuals to help us fulfill our mission: developing individuals and society as a whole through the cultivation and enrichment of the human mind and spirit. As an employee of USC, you will be 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.

USC Athletics aims to inspire champions in competition and in the classroom. We exist to enrich the lives of students to positively impact our community and world for generations to come. Operating with the four core values of Competitive Spirit , Togetherness , Passionate Pride for USC , and Our Courage to Blaze the Trail , the Trojans choose to lead by example. With over 600 student-athletes competing throughout USC’s 23 sports programs, USC Athletics is committed to serving as the unmatched, unquestioned top destination for talented student-athletes to reach their fullest potential in all that they do and offering student-athletes the ability to compete for NCAA and Big Ten championships while working toward a degree from one of the world’s leading universities.

Job Description:

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 the 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.

The University of Southern California (USC) is one of the world’s leading private research universities. An anchor institution in Los Angeles and a global center for arts, technology, and international business, USC is also one of the largest private employers in the City of Los Angeles.  We are searching for exceptional individuals to help us fulfill our mission: developing individuals and society as a whole through the cultivation and enrichment of the human mind and spirit. As an employee of USC, you will be 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.

USC Athletics aims to inspire champions in competition and in the classroom. We exist to enrich the lives of students to positively impact our community and world for generations to come. Operating with the four core values of Competitive Spirit , Togetherness , Passionate Pride for USC , and Our Courage to Blaze the Trail , the Trojans choose to lead by example. With over 600 student-athletes competing throughout USC’s 23 sports programs, USC Athletics is committed to serving as the unmatched, unquestioned top destination for talented student-athletes to reach their fullest potential in all that they do and offering student-athletes the ability to compete for NCAA and Big Ten championships while working toward a degree from one of the world’s leading universities.

Job Description:

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 the 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 $70,000- $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.

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.

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 will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring ordinance. 

-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.

USC is a smoke-free environment

_ 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 con _sider 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. 

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.

• Read USC’s Clery Act Annual Security Report
• Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Plan
• Pay Transparency Non-Discrimination
• USC is an E-Verify Employer
• Digital Accessibility

If you are a current USC employee, please apply to this  USC job posting in Workday by copying and pasting this link into your browser:

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