Senior Manager, Issues Management

The University of Southern California (USC) is seeking an experienced and strategic Senior Manager Issues Management to lead public relations initiatives that protect and strengthen the universitys reputation while enhancing its visibility and impact. This role is ideal for a communications professional with expertise in issues management crisis communications media relations strategic storytelling and team leadership.

The Senior Manager leads the planning execution and evaluation of strategic communications and issues management initiatives that protect and strengthen USCs reputation. This role anticipates emerging issues develops proactive communications strategies and serves as a trusted advisor to university leadership during sensitive high-profile and rapidly evolving situations.

About the Role

Reporting to senior leadership the Senior Manager oversees day-to-day communications operations manages a high-performing communications team and leads strategic communications initiatives across multiple platforms. The role works across the university to build trusted relationships strengthen crisis communications infrastructure and ensure USC is prepared to respond effectively to emerging issues.

The successful candidate is an exceptional writer and thoughtful communicator who enjoys collaborating across teams building strong relationships and finding compelling ways to tell the universitys story. They anticipate challenges before they emerge exercise sound judgment under pressure and develop thoughtful communications strategies for sensitive and rapidly evolving issues. They bring creativity sound judgment and a collaborative approach to building partnerships across the university while advancing USCs mission.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Communications & Public Relations

• Lead the development and execution of strategic communications and issues management plans including emergency and crisis communications to support timely coordinated and effective messaging for internal and external audiences.

• Anticipate emerging issues by monitoring the internal and external landscape conducting scenario planning and developing proactive communications strategies that prepare the university for a range of potential outcomes.

• Serve as the universitys communications lead during high-profile issues providing strategic counsel to university leadership and partnering with the Office of General Counsel to develop messaging related to legal matters reputational issues labor matters and other sensitive situations.

• Serve as a university spokesperson and Public Information Officer during crises and other significant events responding to media inquiries and coordinating timely accurate public communications.

• Develop implement and manage comprehensive public relations and communications programs that increase awareness of the university its schools departments faculty students staff alumni and institutional initiatives.

• Create and execute strategic communications plans that support organizational goals and enhance USCs reputation.

• Lead communications projects from concept through execution ensuring quality consistency and timely delivery.

• Measure and evaluate communications initiatives preparing reports and recommendations that inform future strategies.

• Stay current with emerging communications trends technologies AI-enabled communications tools and best practices to continually strengthen USCs communications efforts.

Content Strategy & Editorial Management

• Write edit produce and distribute a variety of communications materials including news stories feature articles speeches media statements digital content newsletters and other communications resources.

• Manage editorial calendars project timelines and production schedules to ensure communications initiatives are delivered on time and within budget.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Supervise mentor and develop communications staff through recruitment onboarding coaching performance management and professional development.

Financial & Operational Management

• Develop and manage communications budgets monitor expenditures and prepare financial projections and reports.

• Maintain and continuously improve the universitys issues management and crisis communications infrastructure including response protocols stakeholder networks and communications resources.

• Coordinate and oversee the work of external vendors freelancers photographers designers and other creative partners.

Stakeholder & External Relations

• Develop and maintain strong relationships across USCs schools departments and administrative units to establish trusted communications partnerships before issues arise and facilitate coordinated responses during critical situations.

• Represent the university at professional meetings conferences and community events while cultivating relationships with media university leadership alumni community partners and other key stakeholders.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors degree or a combination of education and experience equivalent to the required degree.

• Five (5) years of professional experience in public relations communications journalism marketing or a related field.

• Supervisory experience with the ability to lead mentor and develop high-performing teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree in Communications Journalism Public Relations Marketing or a related field.

• Experience working in higher education or another large complex mission-driven organization.

• Experience leading issues management crisis communications or reputation management initiatives within a complex organization.

• Experience serving as a communications advisor or spokesperson during high-profile sensitive or rapidly evolving situations.

• Success leading integrated communications campaigns across print digital social media and multimedia platforms.

• Strong media relations experience with exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

Why USC

At USC youll join one of the worlds leading private research universities committed to innovation academic excellence and meaningful impact. Youll work alongside talented colleagues in a collaborative environment where your ideas and expertise help shape the stories that define our university.

If youre ready to help tell USCs story and contribute to its continued success through strategic communications we encourage you to apply.

Required Documents and Additional Information

Resume and cover letter required (may be submitted as one attachment).

The annual base salary range for this position is $94. 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 candidates work experience education/training key skills internal peer alignment federal state and local laws contractual stipulations grant funding as well as external market and organizational considerations.

To support faculty and staff well-being USC provides benefits-eligible employees with a broad range of benefits and perks to help protect their and their dependents health wealth and future. These benefits are available as part of the overall compensation and total rewards package.

The University of Southern California is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

USC is an equal opportunity 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 observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. 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 theBackground Screening Policy Appendix Dfor 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 or by email at. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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Senior Manager