Communications / Public Relations Specialist

University of South Carolina Floyd School of Medicine; South Carolina; On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of South Carolina Floyd School of Medicine seeks a strategic communications coordinator to advance Brain Health messaging and public engagement across local, state, and national audiences. This role will develop and manage content across multiple channels, ensuring consistency of brand voice and timely delivery of information.

You will build relationships with media partners and internal stakeholders, coordinate campaigns, and support media engagement to position USC Brain Health

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a job-related field and 2+ years of job related experience, or 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.
• Required to conduct business lawfully and ethically by consistently adhering to compliance policies, procedures and regulations

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and implement integrated communications strategies that increase awareness, strengthen public understanding, and highlight organizational impact.
• Public Relations, Stakeholder Engagement, and Coordination: Build and maintain relationships with media, healthcare collaborators, and community organizations.
• Writing and editing: Develop, write, and edit a wide range of materials, ensuring messaging is clear and aligned with priorities.
• Other Duties: Support the Floyd School of Medicine and Brain Health goals across channels and campaigns.

Skills

Strategic communications

Public information

Storytelling

AP Style

Media relations

Event coordination

Editing

Project management

Collaborative work

Social media

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Canva

Content Management Systems (CMS)

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

About USC

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.

Benefits for Research Grant or Time-Limited Positions

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
• State Insurance Programs
• Annual Leave
• Sick Leave

Position Description

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.

Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials

• 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

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 platformsStrong 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

Job Duties

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.

Essential Function: Yes

Percentage of Time: 35

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.

Essential Function: Yes

Percentage of Time: 30

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.

Essential Function: Yes

Percentage of Time: 30

Other Duties

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

Essential Function: Yes

Percentage of Time: 5

Position Attributes

• Hazardous weather category: Non-Essential
• Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing. No

Posting Detail Information

• 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
• Open Until Filled: No

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.

Quicklink for Posting

https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/212489

EEO 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.