Associate Vice President, University Marketing

Associate Vice President, University Marketing

The Office of USC Communications is seeking an Associate Vice President, University Marketing (AVP) to provide strategic leadership and oversight of the university's brand, global reputation, and marketing initiatives. This role serves as a senior leader responsible for advancing institutional visibility and driving marketing strategies that support enrollment, fundraising, and overall growth.
The AVP leads the university's integrated marketing efforts, overseeing brand strategy, creative content, and digital marketing to ensure alignment with institutional priorities and central communications processes. This position works closely with executive leadership and campus partners to guide marketing operations, strengthen cross-functional collaboration, and deliver high-impact campaigns that elevate the university's presence locally, nationally, and globally.
This role requires a forward-thinking leader with strong analytical and strategic capabilities, deep expertise in brand and digital marketing, and the ability to leverage emerging technologies to drive measurable results in a complex organizational environment.
Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Providing strategic leadership in defining and advancing the university's brand identity, positioning, and visibility across all channels
Leading the development, execution, and evaluation of integrated, multi-channel marketing campaigns that enhance brand awareness and engagement among target audiences
Overseeing digital marketing strategy, including web presence, and providing leadership on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and other innovations
Utilizing data, market research, and performance analytics to inform strategy, optimize campaigns, and drive measurable outcomes
Directing and developing high-performing teams, managing budgets, and overseeing external agency partnerships
Fostering collaboration across creative, digital, web, enrollment, alumni relations, and academic leadership to ensure alignment and impact
Designing and delivering audience-centric strategies and content experiences across digital platforms to effectively reach diverse audiences
Ensuring consistency in messaging, brand standards, and alignment with institutional priorities across all marketing initiatives
Encouraging a workplace culture where all employees are valued and contribute meaningfully, in accordance with the USC Code of Ethics
Perform other related duties as assigned. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, computer science or business administration
10 years of progressive marketing leadership experience with an organization
Demonstrated success in enrollment and growth marketing, brand strategy, and digital performance marketing within complex organizations
Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to translate data and insights actionable strategies and measurable outcomes.
Proven experience leading high-performing teams, managing significant budgets, and influencing senior leaders and cross-functional teams partners.
Applied expertise in brand management, digital marketing, emerging technologies including AI tools, and integrated content strategy
Excellent written and oral communications skills, with strong attention to detail.
Preferred Qualifications:
Master's degree
15+ years of progressive marketing leadership experience with an organization
The annual base salary range for this position is $260,000-$275,000. 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 alignment, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.
The University of Southern California is an Equal Opportunity Employer.