University of South Carolina logo

University of South Carolina

AD Academic Affairs Comm

🇺🇸 Columbia, SC

🕑 Full-Time

💰 $60K - $89K

💻 Communications

🗓️ November 26th, 2025

Edtech.com's Summary

The University of South Carolina is hiring an Associate Director of Academic Affairs Communications. This role develops and executes the integrated communications strategy for the Office of the Provost, promotes major initiatives and academic excellence, manages social media, provides communications consultation to over 20 reporting units, and offers executive communications support to the Provost.

Highlights
  • Develop and create cross-channel content including web stories, newsletters, press releases, and social media to highlight academic excellence.
  • Manage social media accounts for the Office of the Provost and advise units on best practices.
  • Oversee communication projects in collaboration with university communication units, including marketing, event promotion, and vendor management.
  • Prepare executive-level communications such as emails, talking points, and public statements for the Provost.
  • Provide communications guidance to units reporting to the Office of the Provost, collaborating with academic communications managers.
  • Proficient in content management software, social media platforms, web analytics, social media monitoring, and AP style.
  • Requires a bachelor’s degree and 4+ years of relevant experience or equivalent combination of education, certification, and training.
  • Preferred experience includes client-facing content strategy, marketing, public relations, and higher education settings.
  • Full-time position with standard Monday-Friday work hours and a starting salary range from $59,581 to $89,371.
  • Supports a large academic community, including 20+ units within the Office of the Provost and broader university academic communications teams.

AD Academic Affairs Comm Full Description

AD Academic Affairs Comm
Please see Special Instructions for more details.
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 December 15, 2025

The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:
  • Health and Life Insurance
  • Retirement Programs
  • Paid Tuition
  • Dependent Scholarships
  • Annual Leave
  • Sick Leave
  • 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Professional Development Opportunities
 Click here to learn more about why you should work at USC.

Logo 
Posting Number  | STA00932PO25
Job Family  | Communications and Marketing
Job Function  | General Communications
USC Market Title  | Associate Director of Communication
Link to USC Market Title  | https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/132420
Job Level  | P4 - Professional
Business Title (Internal Title)  | AD Academic Affairs Comm
Campus  | Columbia
Work County  | Richland
College/Division  | Communications
Department  | COMM Provost Academic News
State Pay Band  | 7
Approved Starting Salary  | $59,581
Advertised Salary Range  | $59,581 - $89,371
Location of Vacancy  | Columbia, SC
Part/Full Time  | Full Time
Hours per Week  | 37.5
Work Schedule  | Standard work hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30am-5:00pm with one hour for lunch. Must be willing to work flexible schedule in support of office operations.
Basis  | 12 months
Job Search Category  | Communication Services
 
About USC 
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.

Veterans' Preference Statement  | The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.

 Benefits for FTE Positions 
The University of South Carolina (USC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about USC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu. Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.

 Position Description 
Advertised Job Summary  | The Associate Director of Academic Affairs Communications develops and executes the integrated communications strategy for the Office of the Provost, including the promotion of major initiatives, academic excellence across colleges, signature events, and core functions of the Office to key campus constituents and peers at other national higher education institutions. The Associate Director of Academic Affairs Communications also provides communications guidance and strategic support to the 20+ units reporting to the Office of the Provost and provides executive communications support to the Provost. The Associate Director collaborates closely with academic communications managers across the institution. Work is conducted under the general supervision of the AVP for University Communications and with guidance from senior staff within the Office of the Provost.

Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience  | Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 4 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience.

Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials   
Preferred Qualifications  | Experience in a client facing content strategy, marketing or public relations role. Previous experience working within higher education is preferred.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities  | Proven ability to create engaging written content across platforms. Demonstrated proficiency in content management software, social media platforms, web analytics and social media monitoring. Knowledge of AP style is a must along with the ability to be a self-editor. Must be organized, enterprising and a self-starter. Project management skills and an ability to meet deadlines. Verbal communication skills along with an ability to work as part of a team and with distinct units within the Office of the Provost. Ability to solve problems through creativity, strategic thought and planning. A desire to develop professionally, stay on top of new trends and developments in marketing and public relations and enhance skills is required.

 Job Duties 
Job Duty  | Content Strategy and Creation: With a commitment to clear and engaging communication, and adherence to brand consistency, creates a variety of cross-channel content including web stories, newsletters, press releases, social media content and calendar items. This includes writing/editing long and short form stories that highlight the University’s academic excellence and multimedia content created on behalf of the Office of the Provost.
Essential Function  | Yes
Percentage of Time  | 30Job Duty  | Social Media Strategy and Management: Oversees the Office of the Provost’s social media accounts, including developing content and strategies to maximize engagement with faculty and students. Focused engagement with peers highlighting the University of South Carolina’s academic excellence is a priority. The Associate Director of Academic Affairs Communications also advises individual units within the Office of the Provost on social media best practices.
Essential Function  | Yes
Percentage of Time  | 25Job Duty  | Account Executive/Project Manager: Provides oversight and management of communications projects conducted in collaboration with other campus communication units and performs client coordination between staff and administrators within the Office of the Provost and affiliated units. These services include strategic marketing, event promotion, web design and development, content strategy, public relations, design and creative services, printing services and vendor management.
Essential Function  | Yes
Percentage of Time  | 15Job Duty  | Executive Communications: Researches and prepares executive-level communications and public statements issued on behalf of the Office of the Provost. Such statements include email communications, talking points and other correspondence with a variety of audiences. In consultation with other members of Communications and Marketing, ensures communications mirror institutional priorities.
Essential Function  | Yes
Percentage of Time  | 15Job Duty  | Communications Consulting: Provides guidance for effective communications to Office of the Provost reporting units. In conjunction with University Communications and the Brand Collaborative, the Associate Director of Academic Affairs Communications will provide guidance to academic unit communicators when appropriate.
Essential Function  | Yes
Percentage of Time  | 15
 Position Attributes 
Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing.
Safety Sensitive or Security Sensitive  | No
Hazardous weather category  | Essential
 Posting Detail Information 
Number of Vacancies  | 1
Desired Start Date  |
Job Open Date  | 11/25/2025
Job Close Date  | 12/15/2025
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 December 15, 2025

The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:
 
 Health and Life Insurance Retirement Programs Paid Tuition Dependent Scholarships Annual Leave Sick Leave 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday) Paid Parental Leave Professional Development Opportunities
 Click here to learn more about why you should work at USC.
Quicklink for Posting  | https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/198587
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.
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
  1. * Do you have at least a bachelor's degree in a job related field and 4 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience? 
    • Yes
    • No
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
  1. Cover Letter
  2. Resume
  3. List of References and Contact Information
Optional Documents