Communications / Public Relations Specialist

State of South Carolina; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

University of South Carolina is seeking a Communications / Public Relations Specialist to coordinate across USC Brain Health, the Floyd School of Medicine, and university communications. You will advance strategic communications, elevate brand visibility, and engage diverse audiences, ensuring consistent messaging and effective information dissemination across platforms.

You will develop content for owned and earned channels, support media engagement, and collaborate with internal and external

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate USC Brain Health communications with the Floyd School of Medicine and university teams.
• Develop and execute communications strategies to elevate visibility and public impact.
• Ensure messaging alignment and brand voice across platforms and partners.
• Manage content across owned and earned channels and support media engagement.

Skills

Strategic communications

Public information

Storytelling

AP Style writing

Media relations

Event coordination

Project management

Cross-stakeholder collaboration

Content creation

Social media management

Microsoft Office

Tools

Adobe Suite

Canva

CMS

Analytics tools

Job description

Communications / Public Relations Specialist

Department: SOMC Communications

Part/Full Time: Full Time

Advertised Salary Range:About UofSC

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor's degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

Advertised Job Summary

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.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• 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

Preferred Qualifications

• 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

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. This employment site is 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.

EEO Statement

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities on the basis of race, sex, gender, gender identity, transgender status, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetics, protected veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions.