Content Developer

The plays a key role in supporting the Solution Center team by developing user guides and other content that outlines HR policy, transactions, etc. This role is responsible for distilling complex HR topics into easy-to-understand information for a spectrum of audiences of all levels. The Content Developer proactively seeks feedback on their work and adapts their activities and behaviors in real time in response to feedback. This role is also responsible for analyzing the effectiveness of copy to convey the intended message. This role will help enable USC’s vision while championing USC’s culture and values.

Minimum Qualifications

The candidate for the position of Content Developer must meet the following qualifications:

• Extensive applicable experience in employee or internal corporate communications.

• Three or more years of experience in one or more of the following fields: communications, content development or writing and editing.

• Knowledge of the fundamentals of writing, grammar, syntax, punctuation, and AP style. Familiarity working with style guides.

• Ability to tailor content and branding to fit the audience and message.

• Ability to provide timely and helpful information.

• Ability to build, deliver, and adapt solutions that consistently meets customer expectations.

• Clear understanding of multichannel communication platforms.

• Sense of design and typography.

• Ability to work with stakeholders to gather information and distill into knowledge content.

• Strong written and verbal communications skills.

• Strong organizational skills, analytical skills, and the ability to think strategically and creatively.

• Team-oriented self-starter with the ability to work independently and proactively.

• Ability to provide support and guidance as needed on projects.

• Ability to exercise discretion with confidential information.

• Ability to provide detailed information and summaries to peers and supervisors.

• Experience with Microsoft Office tools and content management systems.

• Design experience creating assets for digital environments (WordPress, social, search and display advertising, etc.) including HTML and CSS, Adobe Creative Suite, etc.

Preferred Qualifications

The ideal candidate for the position of Content Developer has the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, English, or another related field.

• Five or more years of experience in one or more of the following fields: communications, content development or writing and editing.

• Experience in one or more of the following fields: higher education, human resources, solution delivery centers.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, and relationship-building abilities.

• Ability to manage concurrent projects, prioritize competing assignments, and work under pressure with tight deadlines and frequent interruptions.

• Ability to exercise sound judgment in making decisions with minimal supervision.

• Ability to produce quality copy on a tight schedule with competing priorities.

• Knowledge of human resources functions and services and solution delivery organizations.

• Comfortable with communications technology and complex environments.

• Design experience with Adobe tools such as Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, etc.

Job Responsibilities

The candidate for the position of Content Developer will be responsible for:

• Possessing a broad range of knowledge about HR functions, services, and customers to develop user-friendly HR materials for stakeholders at a variety of levels. Distilling complex HR policies, internal and external processes, and procedures into easy-to-understand copy. Working with subject matter experts to collect key HR information and transform it into audience-based quick reference guides, FAQs, etc.

• Creating, maintaining, and continually improving solution center self-help materials and copy and delivery approaches to enable the solution center to be most effective. Streamlining the way content is accessed so audiences could access HR information easily when they need it. Building and actively maintaining relationships with stakeholders to accurately tailor content to needs and priorities.

• Learning from data trends to gain insights into customer needs, adjusting and adapting content to continually optimize adoption and effectiveness. Consistently meeting deadlines for content while balancing priority projects and activities. Anticipating future customer needs based on discussions with HR knowledge experts and business strategy. Understanding different audiences and catering content based on their varying needs.

• Developing content for websites, FAQs, knowledge guides, and other communication vehicles necessary to support the dissemination of HR related content for the Solution Center.

• Working closely with business, technical, and support stakeholders to define and align knowledge improvement solutions and priorities. Proactively seeking feedback from peers, superiors, and customers. Adapting activities, behaviors and demeanor in real time in response to feedback. Analyzing the effectiveness of copy to convey the intended message and continuously improve writing based on feedback.

• Effectively using standard tools and methods including style guides to deliver work day-to-day. Working well independently and as a team to conduct self and peer reviews and check for quality and accuracy of content. Asking questions to analyze problems and improve understanding. Always exhibiting character and integrity in decision-making.

• Promoting an environment that fosters inclusive relationships and creates unbiased opportunities for contributions through ideas, words, and actions that uphold principles of the USC Code of Ethics.

• Adjusting priorities based on organizational needs. Demonstrating, through words, actions, and ideas, alignment to USC’s strategic plan and the HR organization’s strategic plan.

• Performing other related responsibilities as requested and when necessary. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

Please note that this is a two-year fixed term position.

Compensation and Benefits

The budgeted hourly range for this position is $. per hour. 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.

To support faculty and staff well-being, USC provides benefits-eligible employees with a broad range of benefits and perks to help protect their and their dependents’ health, wealth, and future. These benefits are available as part of the overall compensation and total rewards package. You can learn more about USC’s comprehensive benefits .

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree Additional Education Requirements Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 3 years in communications, content development and writing/editing in employee/internal corporate communications. Minimum Skills: Extensive applicable experience in employee and/or internal corporate communications. Demonstrated design/typography experience. Proven knowledge of writing and editing fundamentals and Associated Press style. Ability to tailor content to fit targeted audiences with a clear, demonstrated understanding of multichannel communication platforms. Experience with design software/tools (e.g., HTML, CSS, Adobe Creative Suite) creating assets for digital environments (e.g., WordPress, social media, search and display advertising). Excellent written and oral communication skills, able to provide detailed information and summaries to peers and supervisors, exercising discretion with confidential information. Ability to build and deliver solutions that consistently meet customer expectations. Demonstrated organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills. Ability to proactively, independently, strategically and creatively make decisions. Demonstrated interpersonal skills to provide support and guidance as needed. Experience with Microsoft Office and content management systems. Preferred Education: Bachelor's degree In Communication Or Journalism Or English Or in related field(s) Preferred Experience: 5 years in communications, content development and writing/editing in employee/internal corporate communications. Preferred Skills: Experience speechwriting for executives and senior leaders. Experience in higher education, and knowledge of human resources functions and services. Excellent interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, and relationship-building abilities. Demonstrated project management, problem-solving and organizational skills, able to effectively manage numerous priorities, deadlines and necessary resources simultaneously and in a timely manner. Ability to produce quality copy on tight schedules.