Director of Executive Communications

University of South Carolina; South Carolina; On-site; USD 87,000 - 134,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Tuition assistance

Dependent scholarships

Annual leave

Sick leave

13 holidays

Parental leave

Professional development

Job summary

University of South Carolina seeks a Director of Executive Communications to lead the president's public messaging across a multi-campus system. You will craft speeches, remarks, and digital content that articulate the president’s priorities and strengthen USC’s reputation with internal and external audiences.

The role reports to the Office of University Communications and collaborates with senior leaders to ensure coordinated messaging across units.

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s degree and 4+ years of related experience.

Responsibilities

• Writing speeches, remarks, talking points and other executive communications for the president.
• Research institutional, regional and national issues to inform messaging and briefing materials.
• Strategic planning: manage calendars, deadlines and editorial processes for executive communications.
• Accepts and performs other related duties and special projects as requested.

Skills

Executive writing

Speechwriting

Public relations

Public affairs

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

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 22, 2026.

The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:

• Health and Life Insurance
• Retirement Programs
• Paid Tuition
• Dependent Scholarships
• Annual Leave
• Sick Leave
• 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Professional Development Opportunities

• Standard work schedule is Monday through Friday from 8:30am-5:00pm with one hour for lunch.
• Must be willing to work flexible schedule in support of office needs.

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.

Veterans' Preference Statement

The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.

Posting Summary

Posting Number: STA00712PO26
Job Family: Communications and Marketing
Job Function: Executive Communication
USC Market Title: Executive Communications Manager
Link to USC Market Title: https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/132383
Job Level P4 - Professional Business Title (Internal Title) Director of Executive Communications
Campus: Columbia
Work County: Richland
College/Division: Communications Department
COMM Presidential Communications
State Pay Range G12 USC Market Range MRK - $86,515 $110,307 $134,098
Anticipated Hiring Range Salary commensurate with qualifications
Location of Vacancy: Part/Full Time Full Time
Hours per Week: 37.5
Work Schedule: Standard work schedule is Monday through Friday from 8:30am-5:00pm with one hour for lunch.
Must be willing to work flexible schedule in support of office needs.
Basis: 12 months

Job Description

Position Description Advertised Job Summary

The Director of Executive Communications leads efforts to highlight the president’s stewardship of the University of South Carolina’s eight-campus system as well as the president’s leadership in addressing major trends in the state and national higher education landscape.

The director develops clear, compelling and authentic communications that advance the president’s vision while strengthening USC’s institutional reputation with internal and external audiences. Reporting to the Office of University Communications, the director works closely with key leadership from other units across the university to ensure accurate, consistent and coordinated institutional messaging.

The director must value creative, engaging communications and storytelling; have a desire to advance the cause of public higher education; and have a curiosity and a commitment to lifelong learning and professional development. Additionally, the director will maintain awareness of state and national current events and demonstrate the ability to recognize opportunities for the president to engage at the public discourse and higher education.

Job Related 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.

Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials

• Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in executive communications, speechwriting, journalism, public affairs, public relations or a related field.
• Experience supporting a president, chief executive, elected official or other senior leader.
• Experience in higher education, research institutions, government, nonprofit organizations or other complex mission-driven environments.
• Experience writing op-eds, keynote speeches, public remarks and digital content for senior executives.
• Familiarity with issues affecting higher education, research, public policy and economic development.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Exceptional writing, editing and storytelling skills, with demonstrated ability to write in an executive voice for diverse audiences.
• Strong judgment, discretion and ability to handle confidential and sensitive information.
• Ability to manage multiple high-priority projects, meet tight deadlines and adapt quickly to changing circumstances.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with senior leaders, faculty, staff and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work in a rapid-response, team environment.

Job Duties

Job Duty Writing:

Serves as the president’s primary writer for speeches, remarks, talking points, video scripts, presentations and other public-facing communications. This includes drafting, editing and managing executive correspondence, including messages to faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, elected officials, community leaders and partners. The director also develops op-eds, essays, statements, social media posts, articles and other thought-leadership content that articulate the president’s perspective, that advance the university’s priorities, and that position the president as a leading voice in higher education and public service. The director must maintain a strong understanding of the president’s voice, priorities and leadership style, while ensuring communications reflect the values and mission of the university.

Job Duty Research:

Research institutional, regional and national issues; synthesize complex information into concise, accurate and audience-appropriate communications. This requires close collaboration with other administrative across the university to ensure accuracy and consistency ion university messaging. The director also prepares briefing materials, message frameworks, background documents and talking points for meetings, interviews, events and travel.

Job Duty Strategic Planning:

Manages editorial calendars, review processes and deadlines for executive communications projects. The director also collaborates with other campus units to coordinate the president’s role in major institutional events. Identifies future opportunities to feature the president’s stewardship on USC across multiple platforms.

Job Duty Other:

Accepts and performs other related duties as requested. Engages in special projects and/or university initiatives as requested.

Position Attributes

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. Safety Sensitive or Security Sensitive No Hazardous weather category.

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies: 1
Desired Start Date: Job Open Date 09/24/2026
Job Close Date: 10/22/2026
Open Until Filled: No

Supplemental Questions

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

Required Documents

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Writing Sample(s)/Sample Publications
• List of References and Contact Information