About USC & the USC Capital Campus
The University of Southern California (USC) is a leading private research university. The university offers exceptional students a world-class education with highly ranked programs in virtually every field — from cinema to the sciences — as well as unparalleled research, internship, and professional opportunities in a wide array of organizations including nonprofits, Fortune 500 companies and global businesses.
Located in Washington, D.C., USC’s Capital Campus – launched in April 2023 – brings USC’s constellation of schools, centers and institutes together with the brightest minds in our nation’s capital to prepare and develop strong leaders and forge critical partnerships to address our most pressing challenges and opportunities. Washington, D.C., offers unparalleled opportunities for our experts, researchers and students to learn and listen, connect and share views on the national stage.
The Opportunity
The Director of Academic Programs, USC Capital Campus will lead the implementation and management of academic programs at the USC Capital Campus, beginning with designing, developing and implementing the brand-new USC First Semester in Washington, D.C. program. This first-semester experience will allow freshmen who are selected as Spring Admits at USC’s University Park Campus to begin their time as USC students in the Fall semester while taking a unique curriculum that covers basic General Education requirements while immersing them in the vibrant and influential city of Washington, D.C.
The Director of Academic Programs will manage all aspects of the First Semester program including:
- Working with the Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Programs to finalize program curriculum and offerings;
- Hiring local adjunct faculty to teach program courses, and working with the schools to coordinate participation from USC faculty;
- Student recruitment and selection;
- Planning and executing the program’s experiences, including “move-in,” orientation, field trips, alumni engagement opportunities, and other enrichment experiences outside of the classroom;
- Working with the Admissions, Enrollment, Registrar, and Academic Programs departments to ensure the program follows university policies and processes;
- Managing the program’s budget; developing the program website and marketing materials;
- Fostering community, collaboration, and personal, academic, and professional growth;
- Hiring and supervising program staff;
- Measuring program success by establishing an ongoing assessment plan
The Director will also be expected to develop strong relationships and collaborate closely with USC schools as they develop their own academic programs to take place at the Capital Campus. The incumbent will be a trusted thought-partner and service provider, ensuring that all USC schools and students have the best academic experience at the USC Capital Campus.
This position will be based at USC’s Capital Campus in Washington, D.C. and reports to the Executive Director, USC Capital Campus.
Key responsibilities:
- Administration and Management: Responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the program. This includes ensuring the program’s smooth execution, coordinating activities and events, managing the program’s budget, and timely communication with students and stakeholders.
- Faculty Leadership & Collaboration: This position will be directly responsible for identifying and hiring local adjunct faculty in collaboration with schools. This position will also collaborate closely with faculty across USC’s schools to ensure they and their programs are set up for success, brainstorm ideas for new programs, and provide exceptional customer service to faculty at the Capital Campus.
- Student Support & Enrichment: Develop and implement programs and initiatives that enrich the experiences of the students participating in the First Semester program, and that provides students with a distinctive academic experience. Manage relationships with USC’s housing provider, Metro’s UPASS program, and local universities to ensure the best possible experience for students.
- Stakeholder Collaboration: Collaborate effectively with a diverse set of stakeholders, including faculty, staff, and students.
Qualifications:
- Doctoral or terminal degree in education or other relevant field. Master’s degree in a relevant field and 4+ years of relevant work experience may be substituted.
- Two or more years of experience supervising staff
- Proven track record of developing enriching, positively-reviewed, and financially sustainable academic programs and initiatives
- Evidence of a commitment to equity and inclusion.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including faculty, undergraduate students, academic leadership, academic staff, and industry staff.
In addition, the successful candidate must demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment to USC’s Unifying Values of integrity, excellence, diversity, equity and inclusion, well-being, open communication and accountability.
Application Procedure:
- Please include a cover letter with your CV/resume. It can be added to the application at the same time/place you add your CV/resume.
The annual base salary range for this position is $x – $160,000. 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.
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Minimum Education: Master’s degree, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education
Minimum Experience: 7 years
Minimum Field of Expertise: Directly related program management experience. Expert knowledge of field, teaching experience and/or active in research. Ability to manage sponsored projects and fundraise.
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