Job Description

Position Title & Department:

Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing for Special Projects; School of Leadership and Education Sciences
Posting #

5609

Department Description:

Rooted in social justice, led by compassion, inspired by curiosity, driven by a shared vision.

Mother Rosalie Hill Hall on the University of San Diego campus is home to the School of Leadership and Education Sciences' (SOLES) vibrant and vision-driven collective of academic departments, centers and institutes. Here, we combine innovation with introspection, academics with real-world application, and study with social impact.

Our nationally-accredited programs span the realms of leadership, teaching and counseling, both at graduate and undergraduate levels. They're all approached with an emphasis on social justice, multiculturalism and a determination to forge a better world together.

University Description:

The University of San Diego, an engaged and contemporary Catholic institution, was founded by the Diocese of San Diego and the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1949. Governed by an independent board of trustees since 1972, USD remains committed to a liberal arts education grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. Inspired by this centuries old tradition of Catholic higher education, the University welcomes people of all faith traditions and any, or no, religious background. The future success of USD relies on the contributions of those who seek to foster the development of engaged global citizens and an earnest confrontation of humanity’s urgent challenges

Detailed Description:

This is a full-time temporary, benefit-based position with an anticipated end date of June 30, 2027. The appointment is renewable at the discretion of the University and dependent upon performance and continued funding.

The School of Leadership and Education Sciences (SOLES) at the University of San Diego is seeking a collaborative and creative communications professional to serve as the Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing for Special Projects.

This position supports marketing and communications efforts for SOLES centers, institutes, community programs, and special initiatives. The Assistant Director will coordinate marketing projects, develop content, manage communications campaigns, support event promotion, and help maintain a consistent and engaging presence across digital and print platforms.

The role will support a variety of initiatives, including centers and institutes within SOLES, community partnerships, grant-funded programs, and special projects such as BIGI, Carnegie-related initiatives, Cal-Vet telemental health, and other school-wide priorities. Working closely with faculty, staff, and campus partners, the Assistant Director will help ensure that communications materials, outreach efforts, and promotional activities are executed effectively and aligned with the goals of each project.

This position is housed within the Office of Recruitment, Enrollment, and Enterprise Development and collaborates regularly with academic leadership, center and institute directors, faculty, university partners, and community stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic Communications and Marketing

• Develop and implement strategic marketing and communications plans for SOLES centers, institutes, and special initiatives.
• Create integrated campaigns across email marketing, web, social media, paid advertising, print, video, media relations, and digital storytelling platforms.
• Support branding and positioning efforts that strengthen visibility, engagement, and impact for SOLES initiatives and partnerships.
• Ensure messaging aligns with the mission, values, and strategic priorities of SOLES and the university.

Special Projects and Initiative Support

• Lead marketing and communications coordination for high-priority school initiatives and enterprise development projects, including BIGI, Carnegie initiatives, and other strategic partnerships.
• Collaborate with project leads and stakeholders to develop outreach strategies, promotional materials, launch campaigns, and engagement plans.
• Support visibility efforts tied to conferences, events, workshops, grant-funded initiatives, community partnerships, and public-facing initiatives.

Content Development and Digital Engagement

• Create and manage compelling content for websites, newsletters, social media, presentations, reports, press materials, and promotional campaigns.
• Develop storytelling strategies that highlight student impact, faculty expertise, community partnerships, innovation, research initiatives, and institutional accomplishments.
• Coordinate photography, video, and multimedia projects that support SOLES visibility and communications efforts.

Collaboration and Relationship Management

• Serve as a communications and marketing liaison between the Office of Recruitment, Enrollment, and Enterprise Development and SOLES centers, institutes, and project teams.
• Partner with university marketing and communications teams to align campaigns and maximize institutional visibility particularly as it relates to Carnegie initiatives.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, student workers, and external vendors on communications and project execution.

Analytics and Project Management

• Monitor campaign performance and engagement metrics to inform strategy and continuous improvement.
• Track timelines, deliverables, and communications priorities across multiple concurrent projects.
• Assist with reporting and presentations related to marketing outcomes, engagement metrics, and initiative visibility.

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Must be able and available to travel regionally, nationally and internationally.
• Must be available on periodic evenings and weekends for admissions and outreach events.

Background check: Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Degree Verification Requirement Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes.

Job Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, public relations, digital media, or a related field.
• Minimum of 2 years of professional experience in marketing, communications, public relations, project management, or related areas.
• Strong written, verbal, and visual communication skills.
• Experience with social media strategy, digital marketing platforms, communications planning, and content development.
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently while managing competing priorities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree preferred
• Experience in higher education, nonprofit, mission-driven, or community-based organizations.
• Experience supporting strategic initiatives, centers, institutes, or grant-funded projects.
• Knowledge of CRM systems, email marketing platforms, analytics tools, and paid digital advertising.
• Demonstrated experience navigating complex organizations and managing relationships with senior leadership or diverse stakeholders groups.
• Graphic design, photography, video editing, media relations, or multimedia storytelling experience preferred.
• Familiarity with enrollment marketing, community engagement, and audience development strategies is highly desirable.

Posting Salary:

$6,250-7,333 per month; Excellent Benefits

The University of San Diego offers a very competitive benefits package including; medical, dental, vision, a retirement contribution given to you by the University, and access to on-campus Fitness Centers. Please visit the benefits section of our website to view all of the perks and benefits that USD has to offer. USD: Human Resources: Benefits

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including departmental budget.

Special Application Instructions:

Click the 'Apply Now' button to complete our online application. In addition, please upload a cover letter and resume to your application profile for the hiring managers’ review. If you have any questions or difficulties please contact the Employment Services Team at jobs@sandiego.edu.

Additional Details:

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Closing date: June 19, 2026

Note External job postings will be up for at least three days. After that time, applications will be reviewed by the hiring manager/committee throughout the posting period. A candidate may be selected at any time which could then close this posting on a date earlier than listed.

The University of San Diego is a smoking and tobacco-free campus. For more information, visit www.sandiego.edu/smokefree.