Careers

The University of Southern California (USC) is one of the world’s leading private research universities. An anchor institution in Los Angeles, a global center for arts, technology, and international business, USC is also one of the largest private employers in the City of Los Angeles.  We are searching for exceptional individuals to help us fulfill our mission: Developing individuals and society as a whole through the cultivation and enrichment of the human mind and spirit. 

Job Summary

The Content Developer plays a key role on the HR, Equity, and Compliance (HREC) division’s Strategic Communications team by writing, editing, and managing content for USC’s faculty and staff, across multiple channels and to strict deadlines. Content channels are internal and external-facing USC websites, employee newsletters, intranets, and social media. The Content Developer is responsible for distilling complex topics into easy-to-understand information for faculty and staff, HR leaders and teams, and other stakeholders. The Content Developer is also responsible for the governance of operational HR materials, and for content management of HREC-owned websites. This role executes USC’s vision while championing the university’s Unifying Values.

Minimum Qualifications

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

• Extensive applicable experience in employee, internal corporate communications, or another related field.

• 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.

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

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

• Clear understanding of multichannel communication platforms.

• Sense of design and typography.

• 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 exercise discretion with confidential information.

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

• Experience with Microsoft Office tools, content management systems, and basic HTML

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

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.

• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building abilities.

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

• Ability to exercise sound judgment in making decisions with minimal supervision and exercise discretion with confidential information.

• Knowledge of human resources functions and services.

• Fluency in Spanish

• Comfortable with communications technology and complex environments.

Job Responsibilities

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

• Distilling complex HR policies, processes, and procedures into easy-to-understand copy. Utilizing a broad/acquired range of knowledge about HR functions, services, and customers to tailor communications and channels for the correct audience and message.

• Writing and editing content that consistently meets customer expectations. Consistently meeting deadlines for content.

• Providing copy for digital content, including websites, email communications, social media, memos, project updates, newsletters, FAQs, presentation materials, and other communication vehicles.

• Understanding the needs of university stakeholders and HR customers, anticipating future customer needs, and 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.

• Building and maintaining relationships with university stakeholders to accurately tailor content to needs and priorities.

• Proactively seeking feedback from peers, superiors, and customers. 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. 

• Contributing to an inclusive environment by building and maintaining collaborative relationships with team members, peers, and leaders across the HR organization. Upholding the principles of the USC Code of Ethics.

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

The University of Southern California is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Minimum Education:Bachelor’s degreeCombined experience/education as substitute for minimum educationMinimum Experience:3 yearsMinimum Field of Expertise:Extensive applicable experience in employee and/or internal corporate communications. Three years’ experience in communications, content development and writing/editing in employee/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.