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University of South Carolina

Dir. of Comm., Marketing, & PR

🇺🇸 Columbia, SC

🕑 Full-Time

💰 $72K - $85K

💻 Operations

🗓️ September 25th, 2025

CRM

Edtech.com's Summary

University of South Carolina is hiring a Director of Communications, Marketing, and Public Relations. This role requires developing and implementing strategic marketing and communication plans to enhance the USC Rice School of Law's profile and reputation. The Director leads marketing initiatives working closely with internal departments and external stakeholders to engage faculty, alumni, donors, students, and prospects through various media.

Highlights
  • Lead strategic marketing, communications, and public relations for the USC Rice School of Law.
  • Develop and execute comprehensive marketing and communication plans targeting internal and external stakeholders.
  • Oversee digital, print, multimedia campaigns, social media, website management, and earned media coverage.
  • Manage marketing-related contracts and departmental marketing budget.
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a marketing and communications team.
  • Collaborate with admissions, alumni engagement, development offices, faculty, and USC Brand Collaborative.
  • Use SEO, CRM systems, Google Analytics, and data insights to guide strategy.
  • Require bachelor's degree with 5+ years related experience; master’s degree and 7+ years preferred.
  • Salary range between $72,093 and $85,000, commensurate with experience.
  • Responsible for content creation including newsletters, press releases, and event promotion, plus crisis communication support.

Dir. of Comm., Marketing, & PR Full Description

Dir. of Comm., Marketing, & PR
Please see Special Instructions for more details.
Writing sample is required. Media portfolio is requested if available.

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 November 8, 2025. 

Logo 
Posting Number  | STA00775PO25
Job Family  | Communications and Marketing
Job Function  | Communication & PR
USC Market Title  | Director of Communications and Public Relations
Link to USC Market Title  | https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/132374
Job Level  | M3 - Managerial
Business Title (Internal Title)  | Dir. of Comm., Marketing, & PR
Campus  | Columbia
Work County  | Richland
College/Division  | School of Law
Department  | LAW School of Law
State Pay Band  | 8
Approved Starting Salary  | $72,093
Advertised Salary Range  | $72,093- $85,000 commensurate with experience
Location of Vacancy  | Columbia, SC
Part/Full Time  | Full Time
Hours per Week  | 37.5
Work Schedule  | Monday through Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm with an hour for lunch each day
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.
 
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 Director of Communications, Marketing, and Public Relations is responsible for strategic marketing, communications, and public relations at the USC Rice School of Law, to enhance the School’s profile and reputation. The Director will work closely with the University’s Brand Collaborative and the Vice Dean for Student and Alumni Engagement at the law school to establish and execute a focused and strategic communications plan that will advance the school’s reputation and help engage faculty, donors, alumni, students, and prospective students.

The Director is responsible for the development and delivery of overall School of Law marketing and communications message(s), to drive engagement with stakeholders and to enhance the School’s reputation by relying on their expertise in written and visual communication in print, on the web, through social media, and by attaining coverage in earned media.
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.
Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials  |
Preferred Qualifications  | Master’s degree and 7+ years professional experience in communications, marketing and public relations, including leadership roles in industry and/or academic settings. Experience using SEO, CRM systems, Google Analytics, and other data systems to guide the marketing strategy. Experience leading teams, mentoring staff, and fostering collaboration.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities  | Client relations experience with the ability to function collaboratively with high accountability in service delivery to diverse internal clients and the ability to motivate key stakeholders to align with marketing and communication strategies and priorities. Ability to develop long-term marketing plans that align with the School’s goals. Ability to lead and motivate teams to achieve marketing and communication objectives, while developing, enabling, and supporting individuals to deliver peak performance and grow professionally. Expertise in digital and social media marketing, media relations, media buying, and website management, updating, and design. Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. Knowledge of journalistic principles, practices, and techniques of disseminating information to the public through news media and other sources. Excellent organizational skills and critical thinking skills to manage multiple tasks and deadlines effectively. Proficiency in analyzing customer data, extracting insights, and translating them into actionable strategies that drive alumni giving, student, and prospective student engagement. Experience with marketing and communications strategies and brand management and track record of monitoring and developing trends in communications. Proven track record of collaborating with leaders to identify and execute initiatives that build brand and organizational success. Project management skills and a proven ability to meet tight deadlines.
 
Job Duties 
Job Duty  | Reporting to the Vice Dean of Student and Alumni Engagement and Strategic Initiatives, the Director of Communications, Marketing, and Public Relations is responsible for strategic marketing and communications at the Rice School of Law and the development and delivery of a strategic marketing and communications plan with a strong emphasis on providing strategic oversight and marketing services to the School of Law. In the execution of duties, the Director collaborates with law school offices, including the school’s offices of Admissions, Career & Professional Development, Development, Alumni Engagement, and the administration, and with faculty and staff.The Director also works with members of USC’s Brand Collaborative and with external stakeholders. The Director must effectively work to build the Law School’s brand by developing print, digital, and multimedia campaigns and materials that convey the mission, vision, and brand of the School. This includes oversight of all print and digital media, including publications and promotional literature, paid digital advertising campaigns, email marketing campaigns, organic social media channels, and the school website.
Essential Function  | Yes
Percentage of Time  | 35Job Duty  | The Director of Communications, Marketing, and Public Relations is responsible for managing marketing and communications, as well as overseeing the contract approval process for marketing-related contracts across the school. The generation of the marketing and communications general budget should represent a compelling demonstration of sound investment to build local and national awareness and appreciation of the law school’s brand, programs, and activities.Lead and manage a team of marketing and communication professionals to develop and execute strategic initiatives that align with the institution’s brand identity, mission, and values. Oversee the creation of cohesive messaging across digital and traditional platforms, ensuring consistency in tone, visual identity, and institutional storytelling. Foster a collaborative and innovative work environment, providing guidance and professional development opportunities to enhance team performance and effectiveness in engaging prospective students, alumni, and key stakeholders.
Essential Function  | Yes
Percentage of Time  | 25Job Duty  | The Director provides oversight for the communication of the school’s accomplishments and achievements by students, faculty, and alumni, and reports on notable law school news and events through law school publications.Responsible for the alumni magazine and newsletter layout, story content, editing, and publishing in conjunction with the law school communications team and USC’s Brand Collaborative.Collaborates with the law school communications team to maintain and update the website,content development for the web and social media, drafting press releases, photography, graphic design and videos.
Essential Function  | Yes
Percentage of Time  | 20Job Duty  | Responsible for providing comprehensive support both on and off campus as required and directed for all major school events. Enhances the academic reputation of the school through media relations activities that promote research, academic programs, and news to multiple audiences.Leads local and state media relations activities for the school and works with others in Communications & Public Affairs to cultivate stories for national media pitches. Creates and executes event promotion plans for the school. Assists the law school’s deans with crisis communications as necessary.
Essential Function  | Yes
Percentage of Time  | 20
 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  | Non-Essential
 Posting Detail Information 
Number of Vacancies  | 1
Desired Start Date  | 11/01/2025
Job Open Date  | 09/24/2025
Job Close Date  | 11/08/2025
Open Until Filled  | No
Special Instructions to Applicant  | Writing sample is required. Media portfolio is requested if available.

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 November 8, 2025.

Quicklink for Posting  | https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/195251
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 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? 
    • Yes
    • No
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
  1. Cover Letter
  2. Resume
  3. Writing Sample(s)/Sample Publications
Optional Documents
  1. Media File
  2. List of References and Contact Information