Director of Marketing

About the role

The University of Southern California (USC), founded in 1880, is located in the heart of Los Angeles and is one of the world’s leading private research universities. As a member of the Trojan Family, you’ll join a collaborative community committed to excellence, innovation, and creating meaningful impact.

University Advancement is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture where employees and stakeholders can connect, belong, and thrive while advancing USC’s mission, values, and strategic priorities

The Opportunity

The University of Southern California seeks a strategic, collaborative and creative marketing leader to serve as Director of Marketing for the USC Alumni Association. With Trojans living and working around the world, the Alumni Association creates opportunities for alumni to stay connected to USC and to one another through programs, events, communications and experiences that foster lifelong engagement.

The Director of Marketing will lead marketing strategy and operations that reach, engage and inspire USC's broad and diverse alumni community. The Director will develop integrated, audience-centered approaches that increase awareness and participation, strengthen alumni connections and elevate the programs and opportunities available to the Trojan Family.

Working across the USC Alumni Association and in partnership with colleagues throughout University Advancement and the university, the Director will translate organizational priorities into effective marketing strategies and campaigns, oversee marketing planning and execution, and use data and insights to strengthen results. The Director will also lead and develop assigned staff, fostering a collaborative, creative and high-performing team.

This is a hybrid position under our current work arrangement plan, with the expectation of on-site presence on the University Park Campus (UPC) offices.

Key Responsibilities

Marketing Strategy, Leadership and Operations — 55%

• Lead day-to-day marketing operations and develop short- and long-range strategies that advance the Alumni Association priorities and alumni engagement goals.
• Partner with leadership and key stakeholders to establish marketing goals, identify target audiences and translate organizational priorities into actionable plans.
• Supervise and develop assigned staff, establishing clear priorities and workflows while fostering collaboration and professional growth.
• Thoughtfully leverage emerging technologies, including AI-enabled tools, to enhance marketing strategy, audience engagement, content development and operational effectiveness while maintaining appropriate standards for accuracy, privacy, quality and human judgment.

Integrated Marketing, Planning and Execution — 20%

• Plan and execute integrated marketing initiatives that promote alumni programs, events, services and engagement opportunities across appropriate channels.
• Develop and manage the Alumni Association's marketing calendar, coordinating priorities, schedules and deadlines across multiple initiatives.
• Oversee the development and distribution of marketing and promotional materials and ensure alignment with USC brand standards.
• Collaborate across teams to deliver coordinated, audience-centered marketing and communications.

Measurement, Research and Optimization — 10%

• Use marketing data, reporting, research and audience feedback to evaluate performance, identify trends and inform strategy.
• Leverage audience insights and segmentation to strengthen targeting, engagement and marketing effectiveness.
• Translate findings into actionable recommendations and continuously optimize marketing approaches based on results.
• Stay current on evolving marketing practices, technologies and audience engagement strategies.

Partnerships, Resources and Brand Stewardship — 10%

• Build strong, collaborative relationships across the USC Alumni Association, University Advancement and the broader university, as well as with relevant external partners and professional networks.
• Manage assigned marketing budgets and oversee vendors and external partners supporting marketing initiatives.
• Provide oversight to ensure consistent and appropriate use of USC brand elements.
• Represent the USC Alumni Association and university at meetings, events and professional activities, as appropriate.

Other Responsibilities — 5%

• Perform other related duties as assigned or requested and fulfill applicable university responsibilities associated with the position.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or combined experience/education as a substitute for the minimum education.
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in marketing or a related field.
• Thorough knowledge of marketing principles, practices, methodologies and techniques.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing marketing strategies, plans and campaigns.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and creative judgment.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to build productive relationships and collaborate effectively across teams and organizational levels.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree.
• Experience leading marketing strategy and operations within a complex, mission-driven organization.
• Experience supervising and developing staff and leading teams through both strategic planning and hands-on execution.
• Experience developing integrated, multi-channel marketing campaigns across digital, email, web, social and other audience engagement channels.
• Demonstrated ability to use audience segmentation, performance data and insights to optimize marketing strategies and strengthen engagement.
• Experience with CRM, marketing automation, email marketing and other digital marketing platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to build alignment, influence stakeholders and successfully navigate a complex, highly collaborative organization.
• Experience managing marketing budgets, vendors and creative or production partners.
• Experience using AI and other emerging technologies to enhance marketing strategy, content development, audience insights or operational effectiveness, with sound judgment regarding accuracy, privacy and appropriate use.
• Experience working within higher education, alumni engagement, membership, nonprofit or another relationship-based environment.

Required Documents and Additional Information

Resume and cover letter are required (they may be uploaded as one file). Please do not submit your application without these documents.

Pay and benefits

The budgeted salary range for this position is $110,000 – $118,000. 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 equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

USC has excellent benefits, including health benefits for staff & their family with access to the renowned university medical network; eligibility for retirement plans with employer contributions once you meet Program's eligibility; tuition benefits for staff & their family; free professional development online courses; central Los Angeles location with easy access to commuter trains, buses & free tram pick up services; discounts to football, basketball & other campus events.

Minimum Education

Bachelor's degree, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education

Minimum Experience

5 years, Combined education/experience as substitute for minimum experience

• Minimum Field of Expertise: Thorough knowledge of marketing and management.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, concepts, methodology, and techniques of marketing.
• Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated creative and artistic skills.

• Notice of Non-discrimination
• Employment Equity
• Read USC’s Clery Act Annual Security Report
• USC is a smoke-free environment
• Digital Accessibility

Additional information

If you are a current USC employee, please apply to this USC job posting in Workday by copying and pasting this link into your browser: