Assistant Director, Communication & Partnerships

Nodaweb; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 59,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

University of South Carolina is seeking an Assistant Director for Communication and Partnerships to plan and oversee all communications, publications, websites and social media for New Student Orientation. The role also leads the partnership program and external funding management.

The position coordinates marketing, content creation and vendor management, while supervising Graduate Assistants and interns, with a focus on brand consistency and program impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 4+ years of relevant experience.
• Equivalent certifications, training, or experience may substitute for degree.
• Strong communication, leadership and collaboration skills.
• Experience with marketing, branding and digital campaigns is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and implementation of the orientation communications and marketing strategy for students, families and partners.
• Develop, write, edit and design print and digital communications including emails, campaigns, websites and signage.
• Oversee content, engagement and inquiries on web and social media.
• Lead the Orientation Partners Program: cultivate and retain campus and community partnerships.
• Coordinate materials, invoicing and assess partnership effectiveness.
• Coordinate office assessment and data analytics to improve student and family experiences; prepare annual Impact Report.
• Support orientation programming and day-to-day operations during sessions; provide customer service and crisis response.
• Supervise Graduate Assistant and Marketing Interns; support their professional development.
• Assist with management of orientation systems and platforms (VizualZen and Advantage Design Group).
• Represent the office on university committees and help enhance USC’s national reputation in orientation and retention.

Skills

Marketing communications

Social media

Graphic design

Video editing

Photography

Brand management

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Master’s degree

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

CRM software

VizualZen

Advantage Design Group

Dashboards

Job description

The Assistant Director for Communication and Partnerships reports to the Director of New Student Orientation and is responsible for planning, coordinating and overseeing all communications, publications, websites and social media that support New Student Orientation. This role leads the office’s partnership program, including the cultivation, management and retention of external funding and in-kind support.

Minimum Required Education and Experience

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 4 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education and/or experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct university orientation experience.
• Master’s degree
• Previous marketing experience including graphic design, video editing, social media and/or photography is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with AP style, Adobe Creative suite, and Mac platform.
• Experience with online digital marketing tools like dashboards and constituent relationship management software is desired.
• Knowledge of emerging trends related to social media tools is desired.
• Experience aligning multiple brand strategies and ideas as well as handling multiple projects by prioritizing and managing time effectively.
• Desktop publishing, editing and design experience using Mac platform..

Job Duties

Communications & Marketing — 30%
Lead the development and implementation of New Student Orientation’s communication and marketing strategy for incoming students, families/supporters and campus partners. Develop, write, edit and design print and digital communications, including publications, email and CRM campaigns, websites, social media, promotional materials and signage. Manage production processes and vendors to ensure brand consistency, quality, budget adherence and timely delivery. Oversee the office’s web and social media presence, including content development, engagement and response to inquiries.

Partnership Development & Management — 20%
Lead the Orientation Partners Program, including the cultivation, solicitation, stewardship and retention of campus and community partnerships. Manage partner relationships and benefits, coordinate marketing materials and orientation supplies, facilitate partner involvement in Orientation Leader training and programming and recruit new partners. Coordinate invoicing and payments with the Office Manager and regularly assess the effectiveness of the partnership program.

Assessment & Data Analytics — 15%
Coordinate office assessment and data analytics to evaluate and enhance student and family/supporter experiences. Interpret findings to identify opportunities for improvement, inform programmatic decisions and support strategic planning. Develop the annual New Student Orientation Impact Report.

Orientation Programming & Operations — 15%
Support the planning and delivery of orientation programming, including day-to-day operations and technology support during orientation sessions. Participate in the orientation staffing rotation and provide customer service, problem‑solving and crisis response for students, families/supporters and campus partners.

Supervision & Staff Development — 10%
Supervise the Graduate Assistant and Marketing Interns, providing ongoing direction, feedback and support to ensure successful completion of responsibilities and professional development.

Orientation Systems & Platforms — 5%
Assist with the management and administration of orientation systems and technology platforms, including VizualZen and Advantage Design Group, to support registration, communications and program operations.

University & Professional Engagement — 5%
Represent New Student Orientation on university committees and contribute to the continued development of USC’s national reputation in orientation, transition and retention through presentations, publications, professional correspondence and research. Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of New Student Orientation.

Anticipated Hiring Range:

$58, 934 - $65,000

EEO Policy Statement

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law.