Project Specialist - Administrative

The USC Schaeffer Institute for Public Policy & Government Service is seeking a Project Specialist, Administrative in the External Affairs and Policy team. The position will primarily support event logistics and management, operations and special projects for the Center for Civic Society at the Schaeffer Institute. It will also provide event, stakeholder and communication project support for the Institute as a member of the External Affairs and Policy team. The External Affairs and Policy team oversees events, communications, stakeholder and policy engagement with the goal of ensuring that research produced across the Institute’s programs informs public policy. It is highly collaborative and creative. Team members are encouraged to contribute ideas, identify opportunities, and help shape priorities that advance the Institute’s mission. This position offers a unique opportunity in policy research center operations. The right candidate will have administrative expertise, high attention to detail, and enthusiasm for bringing the right people together to inform public policy. The Schaeffer Institute serves a varied and diverse group of internal and external constituents—including students, academics, executives, philanthropists, and leading policymakers and staffers—across the political spectrum. Demonstrated experience communicating with and hosting VIP guests, including trustees, board members, and government officials, is a plus. This position can be based at the University Park Campus in Los Angeles or the USC Capital Campus in Washington, DC. This is a full-time, 1-year fixed term position (renewable). Some travel may be required. Key duties include but are not limited to the following: Event Operations Expected to work onsite 2-3 days per week at USC University Park Campus in Los Angeles, CA or USC Capital Campus in Washington, DC Manage Center for Civic Society meetings, events, conferences, and seminars; arrange for vendors, facilities, catering and travel as needed. Coordinate event materials including invitations, registration management, attendee communications and briefings. Work with events, contracts and finance teams to ensure event payments/reimbursements are completed in a timely manner; manage and report on event budgets. Host and interact with guests of the Schaeffer Institute, including USC Trustees, Advisory Board members, and distinguished policy leaders. Stakeholder Engagement Maintain and improve the Institute’s email marketing and contact databases (the Institute primarily uses Emma and Quorum), including updating contact details, maintaining lists and segments, and ensuring appropriate contacts are receiving the correctly targeted communications from the Institute. Research new audiences and stakeholders for events and research initiatives, develop engagement ideas for reaching these new audiences. Collaborate with the External Affairs team and research programs to coordinate email communications, including newsletters and eblasts; review materials for formatting, branding, and consistency; and assist with production and distribution as needed. Communications Support Assist with the development and production of basic marketing materials, including eblasts, social media posts and graphics, and website content. Collaborate with Center for Civic Society leadership and scholars to prepare reports, presentations, briefing materials and other communications for funders, stakeholders and public audiences. Minimum Education: Bachelor’s Degree Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 2 years Minimum Fields of Expertise: Excellent written and oral communication skills Strong organizational skills; project management and event experience is a plus Ability to represent the Institute professionally while interacting with high-profile internal and external audiences. Collaborative, team-player attitude; ability to work collaboratively and independently Demonstrated ability to prioritize and handle multiple projects of varying complexity simultaneously with attention to detail and a high level of excellence and professionalism Flexibility and tolerance for ambiguity; willingness to handle both complex and mundane matters Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint Experience with contact management and email distribution systems (i.e. Emma, Constant Contact, etc.) Preferred Education: Master’s Degree Preferred Experience: 3 years Work Arrangement: Expected to work onsite 2-3 days per week at USC University Park Campus in Los Angeles, CA or USC Capital Campus in Washington, DC Compensation The hourly rate range for this position is $30.14- $38.71. 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, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations. Hours 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Subject to change based on event needs, which may include early mornings and evenings, and the occasional weekend. Required Documents Cover letter Resume/CV About the USC Schaeffer Institute The USC Schaeffer Institute for Public Policy & Government Service develops evidence-based solutions to address the nation’s most pressing policy issues. It serves as a policy laboratory to develop and test ideas generated by the USC academic community, fosters civic engagement, and provides a forum to reach federal policymakers. Established by an historic gift from Leonard D. Schaeffer in 2024, the USC Schaeffer Institute includes four flagship centers: the Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics, the Center for Economic and Social Research, the Center for Civic Society and the Leonard D. Schaeffer Fellows in Government Service. The Schaeffer Institute is home to more than 150 scholars and staff, including three Nobel Laureates and seven members of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Schaeffer experts have testified before numerous Congressional committees and are regularly sought out by media outlets—including the New York Times, NPR, Stat, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post—to provide insight on policy issues. The Institute has offices at USC in Los Angeles and at the USC Capital Campus in Washington, DC. About the Center for Civic Society at the Schaeffer Institute The Center for Civic Society aims to assess, strengthen and promote democratic values around the world through research, civic engagement and global dialogue. Chaired by Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and led by Anna Saavedra, the Center for Civic Society was launched in 2026 and is dedicated to bridging political, social and economic divides through evidence-based research that informs and promotes better public policy. About the Sol Price School of Public Policy Ranked among the foremost schools of public policy in the nation, the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy generates uncommon knowledge for the common good. The school is composed of overlapping disciplines that generate innovative approaches to critical issues ranging from health-care policy to homelessness, and sustainability to congestion - to name a few. A wide-ranging curriculum, including extensive experiential learning, prepares our graduates to navigate problems that demand multi-layered solutions driven by critical, informed thinking. The Price School, founded in 1929, is anchored by four departments: Public Policy and Management, Health Policy and Management, Wilbur H. Smith III Department of Real Estate Development, and Urban Planning and Spatial Analysis. The School’s rigorous academic programs provide students with the knowledge and distinctive opportunities to make meaningful contributions to their professions. Integrating classroom instruction with real-world experience and led by some of the world’s most renowned faculty in their fields, our students establish a clear pathway to successful careers. Our academic programs are augmented by numerous research centers, institutes and initiatives that provide additional research expertise and experiences, notable among them are: The Judith and John Bedrosian Center on Governance and the Public; The Center for Philanthropy and Public Policy; The USC Lusk Center for Real Estate; The METRANS Transportation Consortium; The Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics; and The Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global Policy. Together, they account for over $100 million in externally funded research grants and contracts. Together, these departments and research enterprises provide unmatched breadth and depth to tackle an enormous range of challenges facing our country and the world. Price graduates hold leadership positions across diverse sectors – public, private, and nonprofit – championing the advancement of the common good. They come from around the world and from a variety of cultures and socio-economic backgrounds to create a rich intellectual environment that celebrates, supports and benefits from a variety of backgrounds and opinions. Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree Additional Education Requirements Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 2 years Minimum Skills: Directly related project or administrative experience. Preferred Education: Master’s degree Preferred Experience: 3 years 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 View phone number on click.appcast.io, or by email at View email address on click.appcast.io. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law. 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