Executive Assistant to the Office of the President

The USC Office of the President supports the university president in leading the university and its health system, and helps advance the president’s strategic priorities in education, research, engagement, and innovation. The Office of the President plays a critically important role in welcoming and aligning stakeholders across the university and the broader community to advance USC's mission.

The Executive Assistant to the Office of the President provides high-level executive support to the President, enabling effective leadership, decision-making and execution of institutional priorities. The Executive Assistant  directs complex administrative functions ensuring alignment of activities, information and resources across internal and external stakeholders and leads coordination of executive workflows and communications to optimize use of the President’s time and advance organizational objectives. While Reporting to the Chief of Staff with functional direct reporting to the President, the Executive Assistant collaborates closely with the Chief of Staff and senior leadership to manage priorities, resolve issues and support enterprise-wide planning and governance activities. closely with the Chief of Staff to manage priorities and resolve issues and support enterprise-wide planning and governance activities.

Job Responsibilities:

• Directs strategic calendar planning and scheduling logistics for the President’s engagements. Evaluates requests and opportunities against institutional priorities to optimize allocation of the President’s time and attention.

• Coordinates with the chief of staff to resolve calendar conflicts, sequence engagements and anticipate future commitments. Ensures scheduling decisions support strategic objectives and enable effective participation in key events and initiatives.

• Designs and delivers comprehensive executive briefings, supports informed engagement and decision-making. Compiles relevant materials, background information and contextual insights for meetings, events and public appearances. Monitors quality and completeness of briefing materials and provides guidance to contributing offices as needed.

• Coordinates travel logistics, itineraries and on-site arrangements to ensure seamless execution of engagements and any related issues.

• Manages correspondence and communications workflows to support accuracy, confidentiality and responsiveness. Reviews, prioritizes and routes incoming communications to the presidential email account, determining appropriate actions and identifying stakeholders for follow-up. Oversees follow-up and responses through the Action Request System.

• Drafts and edits correspondence, briefing materials and responses on behalf of executive leadership. Maintains consistent standards for tone, format and documentation of sensitive and high-visibility communications.

• Manages all expense reimbursements on behalf of the President.

• Coordinates the President’s Special Advisor’s availability and travel for participation in events. Manages the Special Advisor’s travel calendar, prepares travel itineraries and briefings.

• Demonstrates fluency in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and applications, with the ability to leverage AI tools to improve productivity, streamline workflows, enhance decision-making, and identify innovative solutions while exercising sound judgment, maintaining data privacy, and adhering to organizational policies.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree; Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education

• 10 years of related work experience

• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment and independent decision-making in high-pressure, high-visibility environments.

• Proven ability to interpret executive priorities and translate them into actionable direction.

• Capability to influence outcomes across diverse stakeholders.

• Ability to support strategic planning and execute long-term initiatives.

• Advanced skill in synthesizing complex information into clear, actionable insights.

• Proven ability to lead complex, cross-functional projects from planning through execution.

• Strong prioritization and organizational skills to manage multiple competing demands.

• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, with experience with executive correspondence and briefings.

• Expertise in managing complex executive operations, including calendars, workflows and information flow.

• Ability to navigate complex organizational dynamics and maintain effective relationships at all levels.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 15 years of related work experience

• Knowledge of board governance practices and executive office protocols.

• Experience operating within large, complex organizations (e.g., higher education, government).

• Demonstrated analytical capability to inform executive-level recommendations.

• Strong executive presence and professional credibility in high-level interactions.

• Ability to adapt quickly to ambiguity and shifting priorities with resilience and composure.

This position's annual base salary range is $144,730 - $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, essential skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

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 the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for 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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