The University of Southern California (USC) is one of the world’s leading private research universities. An anchor institution in Los Angeles and 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. As an employee of USC, you will be part of a world-class research university and a member of the “Trojan Family,” which is comprised of the faculty, students, and staff that make the university what it is.

World-renowned for its unparalleled combination of academic and athletic prowess, USC has a storied history of collegiate and Olympic success. USC teams have won 133 national championships, establishing the standard of excellence upon which the athletics program is built. The Women of Troy have claimed 90 individual NCAA crowns while USC’s 327 men’s individual NCAA titles are more than any other university. The USC football program, which competes in the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, has won 11 national championships, competed in 34 Rose Bowls with 25 wins, and produced 516 NFL Draft Picks, including five first overall selections. USC is the leader among U.S. Universities for most all-time Olympians, medalists, and gold medalists. USC’s 326 all-time Summer Olympics medals would tie for 12th most among all countries, while its 153 gold medals would be 11th most.

The vision of the USC Department of Athletics is to be the most student-athlete centered athletics program in the country. USC Athletics is committed to serving and empowering its student-athletes by providing the support, resources, and environment for student-athletes to pursue a world-class education, engage in a meaningful and fulfilling college experience, transform into the best versions of themselves, compete for championships, and prepare to thrive after USC. A member of the Pac-12 Conference and Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, USC is proud to support nine men's (baseball, basketball, football, golf, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball, water polo,) and 12 women's (basketball, beach volleyball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, rowing, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball, water polo) teams across 12 athletic venues.

USC Athletics is looking to hire a Director of Special Events to join our staff and student community of 600+ individuals. Reporting directly to Jennifer Noriega, the Associate Athletic Director. Director of Special Events will work in collaboration with the Trojan Athletic Fund and other athletics departments.

The ideal candidate will have:

Experience in Event Production from start to finish
Experience in Event Design
Vendor Management
Budget Management
Computer skills, including complete knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, mail merges and printing, office equipment and any supportive skills
Data Management
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written required
Strong organizational skills including ability to organize resources
Ability to manage workload well and prioritize effectively when faced with multiple projects, events, and deadlines
Ability to respond/follow through quickly to problems and questions
Strong attention to detail
Ability to coordinate and maintain a complex calendar
Ability to work well under deadlines in a fast-paced environment
Ability to work independently as well as in a team setting
Ability to organize and coordinate special projects
Must have a sense of “protocol” with top level executives

Knowledge of and experience working in higher education preferred. Understanding of the unique culture and needs of college athletes preferred.

This position serves a diverse student and staff population, must demonstrate a commitment to improving outcomes for historically under-served populations, and is expected to contribute to the program’s diversity, inclusion, and equity efforts. USC Athletics is committed to increasing diversity in its staff and welcomes applications from persons of all backgrounds, ethnicities, races, genders, and sexual orientations.

This is a non-exempt position with work expected to be in the office during normal business hours, occasion travel in the fall and the spring, and weekends.

Roles and responsibilities to include:

Leads event management with administrative functions covering planning, budgeting, proposal development, and marketing of events
Leads the planning, coordination, and implementation of events
Research potential new vendors. Determine appropriate vendors for each aspect of an event. Negotiate contracts with vendors and monitor delivery of goods and services to ensure contract terms are satisfied
Develops strategies to promote events
Evaluates and follows relevant procedures and policies in accordance with fundraising best practices to ensure quality control and efficiency in donor service.
Oversees the development event calendar and coordinates with the athletic director’s office when confirming event dates
Manages event data collection, record-keeping, and event campaign creation on Salesforce, Event Reservation System, and virtual event platforms
Help to maintain detailed event files and updated information on event attendees, donors, and friends of the University as needed. Develops and maintains an extensive network of contacts, internal and external to facilitate event coordination.
Reviews and evaluates events to ensure the event achieved goals. Makes necessary recommendations and modifications to support the event goals and objectives
Tracks, reconciles, and reviews event expenditures, budgets, and accounts payable processes
Assists with stewardship efforts
Promotes an environment that fosters inclusive relationships and creates unbiased opportunities for contributions through ideas, words, and actions that uphold principles of the USC Code of Ethics.
Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The University reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

Qualifications:

Experience in Event Production from start to finish
Experience in Event Design
Vendor Management
Budget Management
Computer skills, including complete knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, mail merges and printing, office equipment and any supportive skills
Data Management
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written required
Strong organizational skills including ability to organize resources
Ability to manage workload well and prioritize effectively when faced with multiple projects, events, and deadlines
Ability to respond/follow through quickly to problems and questions
Strong attention to detail
Ability to coordinate and maintain a complex calendar
Ability to work well under deadlines in a fast-paced environment
Ability to work independently as well as in a team setting
Ability to organize and coordinate special projects
Must have a sense of “protocol” with top level executives
The ideal candidate will possess (a Bachelor’s degree and 2 years minimum field of expertise). Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education.
Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, mail merges, and Adobe programs.
Experience working in higher education and/or a sports related field ideal.

To Apply:

All candidates must submit a (1) resume or curriculum vitae, (2) and cover letter explaining the candidate’s interest in working at USC, qualifications for the position, impact the candidate would make on the department of athletics and how the candidate would contribute to the departments goal of promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity in higher education and sport. Additional materials may be requested at a later date. All USC employees will undergo reference checking and background screening prior to hire.

USC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring ordinance.

The annual base salary range for this position is $80,000 - $85,000. 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 equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.