Director, Political Compliance

Director, Political Compliance Reporting to the Associate Vice President, Institutional Compliance, the Director, Political Compliance will oversee and ensure adherence to all political, lobbying, and campaign finance laws and regulations at USC. The director will promote a transparent and compliant political environment, ensuring that all activities align with legal and ethical standards and continuously monitor, assess and mitigate risk. Key Responsibilities Develop and implement comprehensive policies, procedures and training programs to ensure adherence to local, state and federal laws and regulations. Monitor and analyze political, lobbying and campaign finance activities; prepare and file all required reports. Identify issues requiring executive‑level escalation and recommend program or policy changes as needed. Oversee risk management activities across the university and develop mitigation strategies. Design, implement and test processes and controls to mitigate risk (e.g., gifts and disbursements, entertainment and hospitality expenses, government interactions) and evaluate their effectiveness. Participate in and/or manage cross‑functional projects as needed. Advise and collaborate with senior leadership, faculty, staff, departments and student organizations on political compliance. Represent the university for external stakeholders such as agencies, regulators and other institutions. Partner with legal counsel to interpret and apply complex laws and regulations. Advise faculty, staff and students holding political appointments or running for political office. Maintain accurate and compliant data and documentation (e.g., political contributions, expenditures). Conduct regular analyses and assessments to identify noncompliance or potential risks. Review and investigate undisclosed contributions or data inaccuracies. Stay current with changing legislation and emerging issues or trends, assess impact on university operations. Collaborate with stakeholders to develop and provide training; prepare and share communications and propose adjustments to maintain compliance. Identify staff development opportunities and drive industry best practices. Foster a culture of transparency and ethical behavior through awareness campaigns and educational programs. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in legal studies, political science, public administration or related field. Seven (7) years of experience in political compliance, campaign finance, political law, election law or related industries. Extensive knowledge of compliance laws and regulations (e.g., Federal Election Campaign Act, California Political Reform Act). Knowledge of local, state and federal campaign finance and lobbying laws. Exceptional organizational, interpersonal, written and oral communication skills. Excellent analytical, problem‑solving and decision‑making skills. Exceptional attention to detail and ability to interpret and apply complex legal and regulatory requirements. Ability to develop analytics from multiple complex streams of data, assess risk, interpret trends, develop mitigation strategies and drive continuous improvements. Proven track record of working independently with minimal supervision and handling time‑sensitive matters, meeting strict deadlines and maintaining confidentiality. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and relevant software and platforms. Preferred Qualifications Juris Doctor (JD). Significant experience in political compliance, political law or election law in Los Angeles and/or California. Experience in higher education and/or complex nonprofits. Demonstrated knowledge of risk management/liability issues in higher education or matrixed organizations. Demonstrated experience designing and delivering compliance training. Proven experience establishing, developing or enhancing compliance frameworks. Extensive knowledge and/or understanding of numerous cultural issues (e.g., immigration, socioeconomic, LGBTQIA+). Multilingual communication skills, including fluency in Spanish and/or other languages beyond English. Equal Opportunity Statement 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 and will consider qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations. #J-18808-Ljbffr University of Southern California