Career Center

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 comprises the faculty, students, and staff that make the university what it is.

University Advancement is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture in which all advancement staff and our stakeholders have the opportunity to connect, belong, and grow while supporting the University of Southern California’s mission, values, and goals.

USC Associates – a department of USC’s Division of University Advancement – is seeking an experienced professional for the position of Assistant Director to support event production. This position has a formal business title of Assistant Director of USC Associates. This position focuses on event planning, marketing, and communications and supports the university’s stewardship and cultivation for the premier academic donor society – USC Associates.

The Assistant Director is responsible for the day-to-day management of assigned events (or assigned portions of larger events) from conception to completion in the USC Associates portfolio, including but not limited to: Football Picnics, Cross-Campus Collaborative Programming, Scholarship Reception, Faculty Salons, Provost Luncheon, and Chair-level Dinner.

The Assistant Director manages and facilitates the event data, including registration systems (ERS and Salesforce) and reporting. They act as a liaison for the department to manage issues in the registration system by creating, testing, and providing solutions to the functionality of the platforms. 

The Assistant Director must be independently creative, able to produce, manage and support the USC Associates events and flawlessly execute them. Related skills include event planning, budgeting, marketing, and fundraising.

The position reports to the Senior Associate Director and regularly collaborates with the broad USC Associates staff and the University community to coordinate logistical, financial, communications, and marketing aspects of USC Associates events and other communications.  This also includes guiding and supervising assigned staff, student workers, and alumni volunteers. The job requires regular evening and weekend work.

Job Accountabilities:

• Plans, manages, and implements specific events, activities, projects, and/or programs to enhance USC Associates members and the public's awareness of the university, or students, faculty, staff, and/or alumni of the university

• Participates in the development of event goals, plans, and strategies. Plans, writes, edits, produces and presents or distributes event-related materials. Schedules, assigns and prioritizes workloads

• Manages and facilitates the ERS and Salesforce event databases, listing, and registration system

• Supports program, project and/or event budget(s)

• Generates event-related reports for university and/or department use

• Negotiates licenses and/or vendor contracts, as assigned

• Coordinates appropriate use of University and/or department logos, emblems, and indicia

• Coordinate and copywrite media highlighting members and student scholars

• Administer all e-communications and social media channels

• Assist in writing correspondences, video messages, and printed materials.

• Serve as liaison with the central advancement communication office to ensure a dynamic website and materials for the USC Associates program; and stewarding members.

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

Required Qualifications:

• An experienced professional event planner

• A strong copywriter to write and compile e-newsletters, professional correspondences, speeches, and all mass e-communications, invitations, and brochures

• Excellent computer skills, specifically Microsoft Office and Salesforce, with the ability to prepare multifaceted spreadsheets and lists with exceptional accuracy

• Social media and electronic marketing experience

• Superior customer service demeanor, ability to engage and steward members, and high-level phone and relationship-building skills

• Strong organizational skills with the foresight to prioritize, plan deadlines, and ability to multitask.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment with speed, efficiency, and extreme attention to detail

• Excellent people skills with the personality to engage and collaborate with all university colleagues and external organizations, providing VIP programming and stewardship for USC Associate members

• Ability to proofread and ensure the accuracy of all documents, including but not limited to invitations, articles, contracts, emails, spreadsheets, and reports

• Ability to liaise with the Central Advancement communication office to ensure high-end marketing materials

• Positive disposition to support USC Associates’ member requests and office needs

• Ability to take the initiative and find solutions as issues arise

• Willingness to perform other duties as assigned or requested

• Available to work flexible hours; some nights, weekends, and travel required, particularly during the fall

• Must have Bachelor’s degree

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a fast-paced, multi-faceted work environment

• Proven communication, leadership, and negotiation skills

• A minimum of four years experience in high-end/VIP event planning and management as well as high-end donor stewardship/cultivation and strategic communications or an equivalent combination of education and experience

• Strong preference for candidates with equal skills in high-end/VIP event planning, strategic communications, and member stewardship

Required Documents and Additional Information:

Resume and cover letter required (may be uploaded as one file). Please do not submit your application without these documents.

The annual base salary range for this position is $71,000 – $76,126. 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.

USC has excellent benefits, including health benefits for staff & their family with access to the renowned university medical network; retirement plans with employer contributions when 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.

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

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About University of Southern California (USC)

USC is the leading private research university in Los Angeles—a global center for arts, technology and international business. With more than 47,500 students, we are located primarily in Los Angeles but also in various US and global satellite locations. As the largest private employer in Los Angeles, responsible for $8 billion annually in economic activity in the region, we offer the opportunity to work in a dynamic and diverse environment, in careers that span a broad spectrum of talents and skills across a variety of academic and professional schools and administrative units. As a USC employee and member of the Trojan Family—the faculty, staff, students, and alumni who make USC a great place to work—you will enjoy excellent benefits, including a variety of well-being programs designed to help individuals achieve work-life balance.

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