Digital Content Manager

USC’s University Communications department seeks a collaborative Digital Content Manager to help advance the university’s key priorities. Reporting to the Director of Digital Strategy, this role is central to creating and optimizing digital content for USC’s owned media channels—especially as the university expands its presence through new websites and digital initiatives. The ideal candidate is a strong writer with proven expertise in applying leading SEO techniques to engage USC’s digital audiences and is proficient in WordPress or a comparable content management system.

Responsibilities include:

• Develops a comprehensive web content strategy to keep gateway websites fresh, relevant, and accurate, in collaboration with the Director of Digital Strategy.

• Creates and publishes original content for usc.edu and other university websites, ensuring accuracy and adherence to USC editorial and brand standards.

• Ensures high-visibility USC websites comply with WCAG and other digital accessibility standards, partnering with ITS, Office of Institutional Accessibility and ADA Compliance, and campus stakeholders to identify and resolve issues and maintain an inclusive user experience.

• Optimizes content for digital distribution using SEO best practices; requires experience in search optimization and tools such as Google Search Console and SEMrush; identifies new storytelling opportunities informed by SEO data, performance metrics, and priority social trends.

• Contributes to projects and initiatives that enhance the quality, reach, and shareability of university content.

• Builds relationships across University Communications and with content creators throughout the university, collaborating as part of an integrated team and sharing expertise.

• Identifies opportunities for multimedia storytelling and partners with Creative Services to source images, illustrations, and video assets.

• Collaborates with social media team on broader digital content campaigns.

• Works closely with the Director of Digital Strategy to educate staff on best practices for writing and optimizing content for digital audiences; provides strategic insights from SEO, social media and website analytics to help content creators develop higher-performing content.

• Implements and monitors accessibility best practices across content creation and site architecture, conducting regular audits and guiding content creators to uphold USC’s commitment to equitable access.

• Partners with ITS and external agency partners to launch and/or manage websites that support major university initiatives.

• Manage and mentor the Digital Content Specialist role.

• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The university reserves the right to add or change responsibilities at any time.

Preferred Education:

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, or related field required

Preferred Experience:

• 6+ years of experience writing and implementing web content and managing comprehensive content strategies and campaigns.

Preferred Field of Expertise:

• Proven ability to define, track, and report key performance indicators to measure content value, with experience mapping consumer journeys and refining content strategy based on insights.

• Experience in content marketing or strategic communications within a large, complex organization.

• Strong understanding of SEO, UX/UI, and design principles in developing user-focused experience strategies.

• Skilled in communications planning and execution, with knowledge of diverse creative and design processes across multiple media.

• Exceptional writing, editing, proofreading, and communication skills, with the ability to provide work samples.

• Proficient in WordPress or a similar CMS, with working knowledge of HTML/CSS to enhance content and design.

Applications will not be considered complete without the following documents attached:

1) Resume/CV

2) Cover Letter

Salary and Benefits

The annual base salary range for this position is $,. to $,.. 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 the well-being of our faculty and staff, USC provides benefits-eligible employees with a broad range of 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, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum educationMinimum 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.