Assistant Director, Writing and Content Strategy

Posting #: 5466

Department Description: In the Catholic tradition, the Student Affairs Division strives to create an inclusive, educational environment which motivates and supports student learning and personal development, serves the University community, and inspires students to make a positive contribution to society. Our philosophy and approach is to collaboratively work with Academic Affairs and all areas of the University to create an integrated learning environment.

The Student Affairs Division is a dynamic, student centered and learning organization. We are poised to create a vibrant and active co-curricular learning experience for all students. Our emphasis on leadership development and social change allows us to work on developing future ethical leaders to serve in a complex, global and changing world. We are committed to fostering a sense of belonging and continuously building toward a just, welcoming and caring community for all.

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: The Assistant Director, Writing and Content Strategy, plays a critical role in shaping, refining, and ensuring the clarity and consistency of the Division of Student Affairs' written communications. This position oversees content strategy for the University's Knowledge Base in collaboration with ITS, the Torero Hub, and Marketing and Communications. This role also supports a wide range of writing needs for the Division of Student Affairs, including reports, brochures, and print/digital resources. This position leads efforts to uphold a cohesive USD brand tone across all materials and ensures content is accessible, inclusive, and reflective of the university's mission.

Reporting to the Associate Dean of Student Affairs Assessment and Research, this role collaborates closely with the Assistant Director of Student Affairs Technology and Integrated Communications, Marketing and Communications, and key campus partners including the Torero Hub and New Student Onboarding teams.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Knowledge Base (KB) Strategy & Management

• Lead the creation, review, and ongoing improvement of content within the USD Knowledge Base (KB), which is a repository of articles in Salesforce that answer questions a variety of audiences (e.g., prospective students, current students, and family members) may have.
• Convene and facilitate quarterly meetings with campus partners who contribute content to the KB to ensure strategic alignment and consistency. This includes: the Torero Hub, New Student Onboarding, Enrollment Management, Registrar's, Parking Services, and Campus Card teams.
• Create and maintain a yearly calendar to ensure all KB articles stay up to date and identify any duplicate articles that may be combined for clarity.
• Serve as lead editor for all KB content to ensure clarity, consistent tone, and grammatical accuracy, and alignment with USD's branding guidelines.
• Train campus partners and content maintainers on how to make updates and new entries into the KB.
• Design and implement effective tagging, categorization, and planning strategies to ensure content is clear and discoverable by end users. Liaison with ITS to ensure correct categorization of all KB items.
• Monitor search queries to identify gaps in content and improve search functionality.
• Conduct keyword research to optimize content for relevant search terms used by students.
• Gather and analyze user feedback to continuously improve the usability of the KB.
• Collaborate with the Assistant Director, Student Affairs Technology and Integrated Communications to ensure the USD website maintainers update web content with relevant KB articles.

Strategic Writing and Editorial Oversight

• Serve as content reviewer for all Student Affairs website updates submitted by individual units.
• Write, edit, and proofread divisional documents such as the Student Affairs Annual Report, brochures, websites, student-facing communications, staff newsletters, guides, and presentations.
• Develop content that is accessible, inclusive, and aligned with the university's brand tone and divisional messaging priorities.
• Partner with the Assistant Director of Student Affairs Technology and Integrated Communications to align written content with visual and digital elements.

Cross-Campus Collaboration and Liaison Work

• Serve as a key liaison to USD's central Marketing and Communications team to ensure divisional messaging is aligned with institutional campaigns, tone, and branding.
• Collaborate with departments across the Division of Student Affairs to identify and fulfill content needs, including event coverage, campaign messaging, websites, or strategic storytelling.
• Work in tandem with the Assistant Director of Student Affairs Technology and Integrated Communications on coordinated communications efforts that span writing, design, social media, and web platforms.

Innovation and Leadership

• Stay informed about best practices in content strategy, inclusive communication, and digital accessibility.
• Contribute to or lead additional division/campus projects outside of typical duties to help further accomplish student or organizational goals. Additional assignments may be seasonal, ad hoc or ongoing, depending on the project.

Special Conditions of Employment: Working beyond regularly scheduled hours may be required during busy times of the year, including occasional nights and weekends. 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 from an accredited four-year college or university in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, English, or a related field is required.
• Three years of professional experience in writing, editing, content strategy, or a similar communications role is required. Substitution: A Master's degree may substitute for one year of work experience, as the rate of two years of education is equivalent to one year of work experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree is preferred.
• Experience in higher education or nonprofit communications.
• Familiarity with knowledge base systems, web content management systems (CMS), or CRM platforms such as Salesforce.
• Knowledge of inclusive language practices, accessibility standards, and brand management.

Performance Expectations - Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Excellent written and verbal communication skills required as well as exceptional critical listening and thinking skills. Command of the English language, including AP writing style, and standard grammar, spelling, punctuation, syntax, and excellent proofreading skills. Project management ability to handle competing priorities. Flexibility and versatility - able to adapt to and perform in new, changing or pressure situations. Strong interest in working at a mission driven, faith-based institution. The role of the assistant director in working with students and the responsibilities of the position are significantly tethered in the university's contemporary Roman Catholic mission. Sensitivity to values and procedures of an academic institution. Strong interpersonal skills. Ability to work well independently and with others in a team environment and under deadline pressure. Must have strong initiative and ability to complete assignments without close supervision. Advanced knowledge of Google Suite. Ability to respond promptly to all questions and requests for information. Understanding of modern marketing communication techniques and heightened awareness of social media trends. Demonstrated commitment to student learning and development in the co-curriculum and experience assessing the impact of programs and related services. Excellent skills in the use of tools and equipment as identified below.

Posting Salary: $5,858.67 - 5,975.84 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.

Special Application Instructions: Resume and Cover Letter Required. 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: Open until filled.