Director, Social Media

University of Southern California; Glendale (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 176,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Southern California in Los Angeles is seeking an innovative Director of Social Media to lead USC's social media strategy, elevate USC's brand, and advance enrollment, philanthropy, and alumni engagement.

This senior role requires strategic leadership, cross-campus collaboration, and a data-driven, creative approach to content development, analytics, and crisis management. Reports to the Associate Vice President for Communications and Marketing; salary range disclosed.

Qualifications

• Seven to ten years of progressive experience in social media strategy, digital marketing, communications, or brand management.
• Three to five years of leadership and staff management experience.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing large-scale social media campaigns with measurable outcomes.
• Exceptional writing, editing, storytelling, and content strategy skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a university-wide social media strategy aligned with institutional goals and marketing priorities.
• Lead the creation of compelling content that highlights student success, academic excellence, research, faculty, athletics and campus life.
• Supervise and mentor social media staff, interns, and agency partners.
• Establish social media governance standards and best practices for university units.
• Monitor conversations, analyze metrics, and provide executive-level reporting and strategic recommendations.
• Collaborate with campus stakeholders to support enrollment, philanthropy, alumni relations and community impact.
• Lead crisis communications and reputation management for the university.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Social media strategy

Content strategy

Analytics and reporting

Crisis communications

Team management

Stakeholder collaboration

Brand storytelling

AI in content creation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, Digital Media, or a related field

Master's degree in Communications, Marketing, Higher Education Administration, Business Administration, or a related field

Job description

Why Join USC?

At USC, you'll have the opportunity to shape the digital presence of one of the world's leading research universities. You'll work alongside talented colleagues, tell stories that inspire and inform, and help advance a mission centered on academic excellence, innovation, and impact.

Shape the Digital Voice of USC

The University of Southern California (USC) is seeking an innovative, strategic, and results-driven Director of Social Media to lead the university's social media strategy and digital storytelling efforts. This senior leadership role is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive social media vision that elevates USC's brand, strengthens its reputation, and advances institutional priorities including enrollment, student engagement, philanthropy, alumni relations, and community impact.

The Director of Social Media will oversee the university's social media ecosystem, lead content strategy, manage social media professionals and student creators, collaborate with stakeholders across campus, and leverage data and emerging technologies to drive measurable results. This position is ideal for a creative leader who thrives at the intersection of strategy, storytelling, analytics, and innovation.

Department: University Communications & Marketing
Reports To: Associate Vice President for Communications and Marketing
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary Range: $95,000 - $140,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement a university-wide social media strategy aligned with institutional goals and marketing priorities.
• Serve as the university's lead social media strategist, ensuring a cohesive and consistent brand presence across all platforms.
• Identify opportunities to enhance visibility, reputation, and audience engagement through innovative campaigns and digital initiatives.
• Establish social media policies, governance standards, and best practices for university departments and affiliated units.

Content Strategy & Brand Storytelling

• Lead the creation of compelling content that highlights student success, academic excellence, research innovation, faculty expertise, athletics, alumni achievements, and campus life.
• Direct editorial planning and oversee a comprehensive content calendar across university channels.
• Ensure all content reflects USC's mission, values, and brand standards.
• Partner with creative teams to develop high-quality multimedia content, including video, photography, graphics, and live-streamed events.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Supervise, mentor, and develop social media staff, student ambassadors, interns, content creators, and agency partners.
• Foster a collaborative, innovative, and high-performing team culture.
• Partner with Admissions, Advancement, Alumni Relations, Athletics, Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, and other campus stakeholders to support institutional initiatives.
• Provide strategic consultation and training on social media best practices across the university.

Audience Growth & Community Engagement

• Develop strategies to grow audiences, increase engagement, and strengthen online communities across platforms.
• Oversee community management efforts that build meaningful connections with prospective students, current students, alumni, faculty, staff, donors, and external stakeholders.
• Monitor social conversations and identify opportunities to engage with relevant trends and topics.

Analytics & Performance Management

• Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate campaign effectiveness and overall channel performance.
• Analyze audience behavior, engagement metrics, reach, conversions, and emerging trends.
• Deliver executive-level reporting and strategic recommendations to university leadership.
• Utilize data-driven insights to continuously improve performance and outcomes.

Crisis Communications & Reputation Management

• Collaborate with university leadership and communications teams to develop and implement social media crisis communication protocols.
• Monitor digital channels for reputational risks, emerging issues, and public sentiment.
• Provide strategic guidance and timely communication during crisis situations.

Innovation & Emerging Technologies

• Stay current on evolving social media platforms, audience behaviors, industry trends, and digital technologies.
• Evaluate and implement new tools and engagement strategies to enhance performance.
• Explore opportunities to leverage AI-powered content development, social listening, and audience engagement technologies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Communications, Marketing, Higher Education Administration, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Experience in higher education, nonprofit, public sector, or other mission-driven organizations.
• Expertise in social media advertising, influencer partnerships, and audience development.
• Experience with crisis communications and reputation management.
• Knowledge of accessibility standards, inclusive communications, and digital content best practices.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, Digital Media, or a related field.
• Seven to ten years of progressive experience in social media strategy, digital marketing, communications, or brand management.
• Three to five years of leadership and staff management experience.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing large-scale social media campaigns with measurable outcomes.
• Exceptional writing, editing, storytelling, and content strategy skills.
• Experience managing multiple social media platforms, publishing tools, and analytics systems.
• Strong understanding of marketing and communications trends in higher education or similarly complex organizations.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit the following materials:

• Cover Letter
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Portfolio showcasing social media campaigns, content strategy, and measurable results

The annual base salary range for this position is $140,000 -$176,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer alignment, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.