USC PROFESSOR AND DIRECTOR STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS CENTER

PROFESSOR AND DIRECTOR

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS CENTER

USC ANNENBERG SCHOOL FOR COMMUNICATION AND JOURNALISM

The University of Southern California’s Annenberg School of Journalism seeks applicants for a Professor of Professional Practice faculty appointment who will also serve as Director of the Strategic Communication and Public Relations Center (hereafter SCPRC). We seek a dynamic, seasoned practitioner (ideally also with experience in higher education) who will join our outstanding faculty in re-imagining strategic public relations and communications as a field of study and practice. Candidates should have a proven track record showcasing a deep understanding of the profession, firm grounding in the enduring values of strategic communication, and demonstrable expertise in leading applied research projects. He/She will join an Annenberg tradition of innovation and enrich the School’s ability to equip our next-generation practitioners to think critically and strategically, offer their work creatively on converged platforms, and lead and collaborate for positive societal impact. Areas of responsibility include:

• Leadership of the Strategic Communication and Public Relations Center.The mission of the USC Annenberg SCPRC is to serve as laboratory for the public relations field, to foster innovation, and to advance the practice by conducting applied research in partnership with other visionary organizations. The new director will provide the strategic direction of the Center; formulate and facilitate cutting-edge research and consulting projects conducted within the Center; and, lead the Center to the forefront of strategic public relations education.
•  Strengthening program visibility. The new director will work collaboratively with Annenberg leadership and faculty to enhance the global standing of the public relations program among its key stakeholders. This would include demonstrating our collective thought leadership through high-profile speaking engagements and publications, and active involvement in leading professional organizations.
• Teaching and advising. Teach 1-3 courses per year, and mentor a diverse group of students in both degree-seeking and executive programs through theses/professional projects.
• Development activities.  Work closely with the school leadership on donor and partner engagement to support the vision of the Annenberg School as the go-to destination for the study of strategic public relations.

Annenberg is closely connected to a future-oriented, diverse metropolitan area and is rich in public relations and communication talent of unusual variety. In fall 2014, the Annenberg School expanded into the newly built Wallis Annenberg Hall, which is equipped with state-of-the-art information technology. It hosts the new Converged Media Center, a web-based, multimedia learning lab. We offer bachelor’s and master’s degrees and enjoy extensive collaboration with our colleagues in the Journalism Program and our sister School of Communication, as well as with scholars across the campus.

Applicants are asked to submit their credentials including a letter describing their background, interests and areas of expertise, their curriculum vita or resume, three letters of reference, and samples of their recent scholarly or professional work through USC’s job site: https://facultypositions.usc.edu/bonita/console/frsSubmission.jsp?postingId=20016605

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

The University of Southern California was founded in 1870 and is today home to more than 40,000 students and nearly 3,600 full-time faculty. An anchor institution in Los Angeles, and the city's largest private employer, USC is a leader among US institutions of higher education in the enrollment of international students. USC has an endowment of $4.5 billion and substantial federal research funding, placing it in the top tier of US research universities.

USC is an equal-opportunity educator and employer, proudly pluralistic and firmly committed to providing equal opportunity for outstanding persons of ever race, gender, creed and background. The University particularly encourages members of underrepresented groups, veterans and individuals with disabilities to apply.