Partner Relations Manager

University of South Carolina; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 59,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Leave

Sick Leave

South Carolina Retirement

Job summary

University of South Carolina is seeking a Partner Relations Manager to support the School of Medicine Columbia Center for Rural and Primary Healthcare. The role focuses on external partnerships, policy influence, and coordinated communications with government and academic partners.

Responsibilities include developing engagement plans, preparing policy materials, and guiding cross-department activities to align with institutional objectives.

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job-related field and 4 or more years of job-related experience.
• Preferred Master’s Degree and 4 years related experience in healthcare policy, governmental operations, policy analysis.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements the Center’s external stakeholder engagement plan to strengthen visibility and partnerships.
• Coordinates communications and meetings between USC Government Affairs and Center leadership with external stakeholders.
• Coordinates FSOM rurally focused meetings and joint activities to support the initiative.
• Provides policy-relevant materials to support strategic decision-making and program development.

Skills

Communication

Organization

Interpersonal skills

Policy analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Master’s Degree (preferred) in healthcare policy or related field

Job description

Posting Number: RTF00223PO26

USC Market Title: Community Outreach Specialist

Link to USC Market Title: https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/213788

Business Title (Internal Title): Partner Relations Manager

Campus: Columbia

Work County: Richland

College/Division: School of Medicine Columbia

Department: SOMC Clinical Affairs

Anticipated Hiring Range: $58,934 - $88,401

Part/Full Time: Full Time

Hours per Week: 37.5

Work Schedule:

• Standard working schedule: 8:30am – 5:00pm
• 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: Other Professional

About University of South Carolina: 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.

South Carolina Retirement: Yes

State Insurance Programs: Yes

Annual Leave: Yes

Sick Leave: Yes

Advertised Job Summary: Under general supervision, supports the School of Medicine-Columbia, South Carolina Center for Rural and Primary Healthcare Director and staff to effectively engage with the center’s various external partners and stakeholders. Collaborates closely with the Center’s directors, operations manager and program team to support Center public and stakeholder relations, communicating program activities and impact, and other development projects. Demonstrates commitment to conducting business lawfully and ethically by consistently adhering to compliance policies, procedures, and regulations. This position is established in support of expanded research activities.

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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree and 4 years related experience in healthcare policy, governmental operations, policy analysis.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Knowledge of office management policies, practices and procedures. Ability to communicate effectively. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Excellent organizational, written/oral communication, problem-solving and interpersonal skills. Required to conduct business lawfully and ethically by consistently adhering to compliance policies, procedures and regulations.

Job Duty: Develops and implements the Center’s external stakeholder engagement plan to strengthen its visibility and partnerships. Manages and builds relationships with key external partners and stakeholders, including, not exclusive to, state entities, administrative, educational institutions, internal USC partners, and any other external stakeholders. Informs center staff on this strategy, activities, and outcomes.

Essential Function: Yes

Percentage of Time: 30

Job Duty: After alignment of the university’s strategic objectives through communication, consultation
and inclusion of the USC Office of Governmental and Community Relations, coordinates communications and meetings between the SC State Legislature and Center leadership and staff. Schedules and facilitates meetings, briefings and site visits, ensuring that materials, talking points, and participants are prepared. Coordinates with USC Government Affairs team on activities and communications. Prepares for the Center’s annual presentation to the SC State Legislature.

Essential Function: Yes

Percentage of Time: 25

Job Duty: Coordinates the USC Floyd School of Medicine’s rural activities in alignment with priorities set by the Center and USC Floyd School of Medicine Leadership. Coordinates and facilitates FSOM rurally focused meetings, joint activities, and initiatives. Manages cross-departmental and external partnerships to support the initiative and oversees joint activities by tracking progress, evaluating outcomes, and ensuring alignment with institutional objectives.

Essential Function: Yes

Percentage of Time: 20

Job Duty: Provides comprehensive policy-relevant materials to the Center director and staff to support strategic decision-making and program development. Monitors, analyzes, and interprets federal and state healthcare-related policies, changes, and impacts. Informs center staff on policy development and its potential impact on the Center. Develops written and visual policy materials (briefs, analyses, white papers) for internal and external stakeholders.

Essential Function: Yes

Percentage of Time: 20

Job Duty: Other duties as assigned

Essential Function: Yes

Percentage of Time: 5

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

Number of Vacancies: 1

Job Open Date: 09/28/2026

Job Close Date: 11/12/2026

Open Until Filled: No

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.