Communications / Public Relations Specialist

University of South Carolina; South Carolina; On-site; USD 54,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Paid leave

Job summary

University of South Carolina seeks a Communications/Public Relations Specialist to coordinate strategies across Brain Health and partner groups. You will manage content, align messaging, and engage media and stakeholders to raise visibility and impact across local, regional, and national levels.

The role emphasizes content development, brand consistency, and collaboration in a fast-paced environment, with responsibilities across owned and earned channels and multiple partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 2+ years of related experience.
• Equivalent combination of certification, training, education, and/or experience accepted.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and implement integrated communications strategies across USC Brain Health and partner organizations.
• Build and maintain relationships with media, healthcare collaborators, and community partners.
• Write, edit, and manage a wide range of communications materials with editorial calendars.
• Ensure messaging alignment, brand voice consistency, and timely content across platforms.

Skills

Strategic communications

Writing & editing

Media relations

Event coordination

Project management

Stakeholder coordination

Content translation

CMS & analytics

Adobe Suite

Canva

Collaboration

Social media

Interpersonal skills

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a job related field

Tools

Adobe Suite

Canva

CMS

Analytics tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Communications / Public Relations Specialist

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.

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

Part/Full Time

Full Time

Hours per Week 40

Work Schedule

• Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.

Type of Staff Position Staff Time-Limited (STL)

Basis 12 months

Job Search Category Communication Services

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

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

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.

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

• 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 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

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.
• 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.

Position Attributes

Hazardous weather category

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.

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

Other 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

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Do you have at least 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?
  • Yes
  • No

Required Documents

• Resume
• List of References and Contact Information

Optional Documents

• Other Supporting Documents

Equal Opportunity 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.