Communications / Public Relations Specialist

University of South Carolina; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 54,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid leave

Retirement programs

Job summary

The University of South Carolina seeks a Communications / Public Relations Specialist to coordinate across USC Brain Health networks and partner organizations, advancing strategic communications, brand awareness, and public impact. This role develops content and aligns messaging across channels to strengthen visibility.

The position requires a bachelor’s degree and 2+ years of related experience, with a focus on storytelling, media engagement, and collaboration in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a job-related field with 2+ years of experience or equivalent
• Experience with strategic communications and storytelling across digital and traditional platforms
• Excellent writing and editing skills, including AP style
• Experience with media relations and event coordination
• Strong organizational and project management skills

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and implement integrated communications strategies for USC Brain Health across multiple stakeholders
• Build and maintain relationships with media, partners, and internal teams
• Write, edit, and manage a wide range of communications materials
• Maintain editorial calendars and ensure timely content delivery
• Support public information efforts and content distribution across platforms

Skills

Strategic communications

Writing and editing

Media relations

Event coordination

Project management

Content adaptation

Collaboration across stakeholders

Social media knowledge

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Tools

Adobe Suite

Canva

Content Management Systems

Job description

Communications / Public Relations Specialist

We are only accepting applications submitted by October 12, 2026.

Anticipated Hiring Range: $53,576 $66,970 $80,364

Full Time

40

• Standard working schedule: 8:30am - 5:00pm
• Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.

Communication Services

Benefits for Research Grant or Time-Limited Positions Are Indicated Below

The University of South Carolina (UofSC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about UofSC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu. Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.

• South Carolina Retirement: Yes
• State Insurance Programs: Yes
• Annual Leave: Yes
• Sick Leave: Yes

This position plays a critical coordination role across multiple communications functions, including USC Brain Health communications, the USC Floyd School of Medicine, university communications, and public information and communications teams within statewide partner organizations. This position supports USC Brain Health in advancing strategic communications, brand awareness, and public impact efforts across diverse audiences, including patients, the general public, legislators, and other key stakeholders. The role is responsible for developing and executing communications strategies that elevate the visibility, credibility, and influence of the USC Brain Health Network and USC Brain Health Center at the local, regional, and national levels.

This position ensures alignment of messaging, consistency of brand voice, and effective dissemination of information across all platforms and collaborators. The role develops and manages content across owned and earned channels, strengthens relationships with internal and external partners, and supports media engagement to position USC Brain Health as the trusted leader in brain health.

• Requires a bachelor's degree in a job related field and 2 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience.

• Strong understanding of strategic communications, public information, and storytelling across digital and traditional platforms
• Excellent writing and editing skills, including experience with AP Style
• Experience with media relations and event coordination
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Experience coordinating communications across multiple organizations or stakeholder groups
• Demonstrates ability to translate complex health and research topics into clear, compelling content for varied audiences
• Familiarity with content management systems and analytics tools, and content design programs, such as Adobe Suite and Canva
• Ability to work effectively in a highly collaborative, fast-paced environment
• Experience with social media platforms
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

• Strong understanding of strategic communications, public information, and storytelling across digital and traditional platforms
• Excellent writing and editing skills, including experience with AP Style
• Experience with media relations and event coordination
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Experience coordinating communications across multiple organizations or stakeholder groups
• Demonstrates ability to translate complex health and research topics into clear, compelling content for varied audiences
• Familiarity with content management systems and analytics tools, and content design programs, such as Adobe Suite and Canva
• Ability to work effectively in a highly collaborative, fast-paced environment
• Experience with social media platforms
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Required to conduct business lawfully and ethically by consistently adhering to compliance policies, procedures and regulations

Strategic Communications Planning and Execution: In working with the Floyd School of Medicine director of strategic communications and Brain Health leadership, coordinate and implement integrated communications strategies and initiatives for USC Brain Health that increase awareness, strengthen public understanding, and highlight organizational impact. Coordinate messaging across multiple stakeholders, track outcomes, and provide regular updates to Floyd School of Medicine director of strategic communications and the Brain Health leadership team on communications effectiveness.

Public Relations, Stakeholder Engagement, and Coordination: Serve as a key liaison among USC Brain Health, USC Floyd School of Medicine, central USC communications, and external partner organizations. Build and maintain strong relationships with media, healthcare collaborators, and community organizations

Writing and editing: Develop, write, and edit a wide range of communications materials, including press releases, brochures, newsletters, web content, social media copy, stakeholder updates, and thought leadership pieces. Ensure messaging is clear, accessible, accurate, engaging, and aligned with audience and organizational priorities. Maintain editorial calendars and ensure timely delivery of content. Collaborate with partners to ensure content is current, accurate, and consistent across platforms.

Other Duties: Perform other duties as assigned in support of the Floyd School of Medicine and Brain Health organizational missions and communications objectives.

Number of Vacancies: 1

Desired Start Date: 09/16/2026

Position End Date: 09/15/2027

Job Open Date: 08/28/1926

Job Close Date: 10/12/2026

Special Instructions to Applicant: Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. Employment site updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email. We are only accepting applications submitted by October 12, 2026.

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.