Manager of Strategic Initiatives

It’s an exciting time at the University of Southern California (USC). We are world-renowned for our innovative education, academic excellence and path-breaking research in a vibrant region exploding with potential. As part of a university that is on an upward trajectory, excellent development and advancement opportunities are possible here. Ultimately, you will support the university’s expansive, humanity-centered mission: “The development of human beings and society as a whole through the cultivation and enrichment of the human mind and spirit.”

The Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences is seeking a Manager of Strategic Initiatives (Program Administrator) to join the Dornsife Advancement team, which is a large, dynamic, and collaborative team charged with increasing private support for the College’s outstanding faculty, students, and programs. The team is committed to a culture of belonging through respectful dialogue, inclusiveness, collaboration, and the cultivation of meaningful, long-term relationships with faculty, staff, alumni, and donors.

This role serves as both an executive partner and a strategic connector–a professional who combines strong administrative precision with sharp project management, writing, and donor research skills. This person will report to and work closely with the Vice Dean and Chief Development Officer (CDO) to coordinate high-priority initiatives, communications, and cross-departmental projects that advance Dornsife’s philanthropic goals.

This position is ideal for someone who enjoys operating behind the scenes of leadership–someone equally comfortable scheduling a complex week of meetings and drafting a donor message, managing event logistics, and producing insightful donor briefings.

Core Responsibilities

Executive and Administrative Partnership (≈50%)

• Serve as the CDO’s trusted partner and first point of contact–managing calendars, meetings, travel, expenses, and follow-up actions with accuracy and foresight.
• Anticipate needs, prioritize requests, and exercise sound judgment to manage competing demands on the CDO’s time.
• Prepare and organize briefing materials, agendas, and presentation decks for donor, Dean, and campus meetings.
• Draft, edit, and proofread executive communications, donor correspondence, and leadership reports, ensuring clarity, tone, and alignment with Dornsife’s priorities.
• Collect, synthesize, and summarize information from multiple departments for internal and external audiences.
• Handle confidential information with discretion and represent the CDO’s office with professionalism and diplomacy.
• Track and reconcile expenses, manage reimbursements, and monitor operational budgets with accuracy and transparency.

Strategic Initiatives & Project Management (≈50%)

• Lead and track cross-departmental projects and communications that advance Advancement’s strategic goals, including key objectives for the upcoming university-wide campaign.
• Coordinate goal-setting, decision-tracking, and implementation of priorities emerging from the CDO and Leadership Team.
• Write and edit materials, including briefings, gift proposals, talking points, internal announcements, donor messages, and event content, often under tight deadlines.
• Work with the Business Intelligence team to conduct and synthesize donor and prospect research to prepare the CDO for meetings, events, and briefings–summarizing giving history, interests, and strategic opportunities in clear, concise formats.
• Collaborate with the Assistant Dean of Stewardship & Operations, Events, and Business Intelligence teams to ensure seamless execution of leadership briefings, donor events, gift proposals, gift agreements, and stewardship deliverables.
• Partner with the Dean’s Office and campus units on high-level initiatives that require coordination and follow-through.
• Use strong critical thinking to determine when to act independently, delegate, or elevate decisions.
• Attend Leadership Team meetings to capture outcomes, track next steps, and maintain accountability (non-voting participant).
• Support internal communications and culture-building efforts that enhance transparency and collaboration across Advancement.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree; advanced degree preferred.
• Five or more years of progressive experience in executive support, project management, communications, or marketing–preferably within higher education, advancement, or nonprofit environments.
• Exceptional writing and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft clear, compelling materials for multiple audiences.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills; demonstrated ability to manage complex projects and competing priorities.
• Discretion, professionalism, and sound judgment in handling confidential information.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and CRM/project management systems (Salesforce, Advance, Asana, etc.).
• Ability to build productive relationships across diverse teams and levels of leadership.

Preferred Attributes

• Experience supporting a senior executive, dean, or chief officer in a large, complex organization.
• Proven record of balancing tactical execution with strategic insight–seeing both the details and the larger goals.
• Familiarity with advancement, fundraising, or communications strategy.
• A proactive, solutions-oriented mindset and ability to bring structure and clarity to complex workflows.

About the Opportunity

This role sits at the intersection of operations and strategy. The Manager of Strategic Initiatives keeps the division running smoothly while helping leadership communicate effectively and drive impact. It’s a role for a critical thinker who connects people, information, and ideas–and ensures that priorities become progress across USC Dornsife Advancement.

Salary range: The annual base salary for this position is $88,000 - $100,368. 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 alignment, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Required Documents and Additional Information:

• Resume and cover letter required (may be uploaded as one file). Please do not submit your application without these documents.

• Job openings are posted for a minimum of (5) five business days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended, so please apply on the same business day if interested.

• To support the well-being of our faculty and staff, USC provides benefits-eligible employees with a broad range of perks to help protect their and their dependents’ health, wealth, and future. These benefits are available as part of the overall compensation and total rewards package. You can learn more about USC’s comprehensive benefits here.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education
Minimum Experience: 3 years
Minimum Field of Expertise: Directly related professional experience in area of program specialization.

USC is an equal opportunity 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. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to theBackground Screening Policy Appendix Dfor specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying. 

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 [email protected]. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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