Communications Director

Logo : Posting Number :

STA00780PO25

Job Family :

Communications and Marketing

Job Function : Communication & PR

USC Market Title :

Manager of Communications and Public Relations

Link to USC Market Title :

https : / / uscjobs.sc.edu / titles / 138282

Job Level : M2 - Managerial

Business Title (Internal Title) :

Communications Director

Campus : Columbia

Work County : Richland

College / Division :

South Carolina Honors College

Department :

HNRS South Carolina Honors College

State Pay Band :

Approved Starting Salary :

$65,539

Advertised Salary Range :

$65,539-Salary commensurate with qualifications

Location of Vacancy :

Columbia, SC

Part / Full Time : Full Time

Hours per Week : 37.5

Work Schedule :

8 : 30-5 : 00, Monday-Friday with some nights and weekend required

Basis : 12 months

Job Search Category :

Communication Services

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.

Advertised Job Summary :

The Communications Director for the South Carolina Honors College is responsible for developing and executing the integrated marketing and communications strategy across multiple platforms to build awareness as well as foster engagement among priority audiences and stakeholders. The Director will work with senior administrators, unit directors and staff to enhance the College’s brand, development, recruitment and alumni engagement. The Director will manage a team of marketing and communication staff and collaborate with the SCHC development, alumni relations, recruitment and academic programs personnel to ensure the outreach and marketing efforts and resources are specifically supported via print production and digital communication resources. The Director will manage resources in support of the college-wide efforts to communicate positive newsworthy activities, ensure consistent messaging and visual brand standardization across the College, provide clear internal and external communication to all stakeholders. The Director will work closely with the Associate Director of Integrated Communications within the USC Brand Collective to execute a focused and strategic communications plan that will advance the school’s reputation and help engage the highest quality faculty, donors, alumni, students and prospective students. Honors College staff members should possess a wide-ranging intellectual curiosity and a commitment to serving high-achieving students.

Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience :

Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 5 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 :

Some knowledge of USC policies, procedures, and programs is preferred. Supervisory experience. Project management experience. Communications experience in a higher ed setting.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities :

• The Director of Communications is an organized, enterprising self-starter with a proven ability to create strategic and engaging content across all media.
• Applicants must have the ability to function in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• The successful candidate will be well organized, have excellent written and oral communication skills, be able to deal diplomatically with various constituent groups and have advanced knowledge of Adobe InDesign and Photoshop.
• Exceptional writing and communication skills, including ability to tell a compelling story with a command of grammar and AP style.
• Advanced knowledge of social media, including best practices for engaging audiences in a professional context on each platform.

Job Duty :

Marketing and communications strategy Directs the strategic marketing and communications planning and execution for the College. Determines communications priorities based on defined objectives, audiences and messages. Ensures alignment with university brand standards. Develops and maintains an editorial calendar for story, social and marketing content. Oversees the development and implementation of paid marketing, web design and development. The integrated communications strategic plan must include all internal and external strategies and tactics and be aligned with SCHC goals, mission, and vision; and the USC’s strategic blueprint, mission and vision.

Essential Function : Yes

Percentage of Time : 25

Job Duty :

Communications leadership Works collaboratively with the brand team in the University’s Office of Communications and Public Affairs on shared priority projects. Provides communications counsel to the College’s dean, executive leadership, and staff. Serves as the College’s representative on the University’s Communications Council and as a member of the University’s Communicators Network. Serves as a collaborative partner with communications managers among the University’s academic and administrative units. Internally, collaborates with SCHC development, alumni relations, and academic programs to ensure their outreach and marketing efforts and resources are specifically supported via print production and digital communication resources.

Essential Function : Yes

Percentage of Time : 25

Job Duty :

Content creation oversight Using a strategic approach and adherence to university content and brand guidelines, oversees a variety of cross-channel marketing materials including feature stories for web and print, social media posts and infographics, smart brevity releases, newsletters, video scripts, collateral and photography. Controls budget, scope and schedule to ensure project deliverables, milestones and required tasks are completed as planned. Creates event promotion strategies for the College based on industry and university best practices. Oversees staff who create and disseminate promotional content.

Essential Function : Yes

Percentage of Time : 25

Job Duty :

Supervision

Hires, supervises, trains and evaluates professional staff who serve as Honors College communicators. Uses appropriate management principles according to University and College policy and procedures, completes EPMS timely and accurately, and monitors employee progress toward goal attainment. Communicates expectations and provides feedback to assist employees with performance improvement, personal development, and skill / competency development.

Essential Function : Yes

Percentage of Time : 25

Job Duty :

Brand management Establishes and oversees message and brand alignment across multiple platforms including but not limited to digital media (web content, social media, and video), print publications, visual communications, paid advertising and news releases. Oversees and implements the strategic positioning of the SCHC’s brand message and visual identity, in alignment with USC’s brand, to advance the SCHC’s reputation by partnering with the Admissions Office to attract the highest quality students to our programs, and aid in development and alumni efforts.

Essential Function : Yes

Percentage of Time : 25

Job Duty :

Other duties

Additional duties and responsibilities as assigned, in support of other activities of the Honors College.

Essential Function : Yes

Percentage of Time : 25

No

Hazardous weather category :

Essential

Number of Vacancies :

Desired Start Date :

12 / 01 / 2026

Job Open Date : 09 / 25 / 2025

Job Close Date : 10 / 19 / 2025

Open Until Filled : No

Special Instructions to Applicant :

Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.

We are only accepting applications submitted by October 19, 2025.

Quicklink for Posting :

https : / / uscjobs.sc.edu / postings / 195419

EEO Statement :

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV / AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.