Director, USC Emeriti Center

The USC Emeriti Center was established at the University of Southern California in 1978 to further the personal and professional interests of retired faculty and staff of the University and enhance the lifelong relationship of these individuals with the University. The Center provides essential information, resources, services, advocacy, privileges, and support. The Center has supported USC faculty and staff through opportunities for service, teaching and research.

The USC Emeriti Center partners with USC schools for multidisciplinary, multigenerational and multicultural initiatives benefitting the university community and beyond. Through this model, we support USC faculty research and teaching while engaging USC students in experiential learning and practice outside the classroom. The Center engages retirees for intergenerational programs to support USC students and scholarships.

The Director oversees the USC Emeriti Center and administers the Retired Faculty Association (RFA) and the Staff Retirement Association (SRA) committees. The Director develops programs and services that contribute to the well-being and creativity of retired faculty, staff and their families and support the USC community. The Center promotes a retirement-friendly University by creating and implementing important policies and programs that assist the university and its employees with retirement planning and the transition to life after full time work. The client base is (approximately 5,000.) The Director exercises advanced problem-solving skills and has the ability to answer questions from faculty and staff and interpret university policy.

The ideal candidate for Director of the Emeriti Center must possess:

• Strong skills in leadership, program management, budget planning and oversight
• Fundraising through philanthropic sources and grants where appropriate.
• An understanding of the private university organization,
• An appreciation of academic values,
• An entrepreneurial spirit and a creative vision for the role of older persons in the University and society
• A collegial style of administration that will encourage shared leadership in the development of varied projects. Ideally, they will have strong ties to the University of Southern California and a background in working with academic retirees.

To be consider for this opportunity, please submit both a Cover Letter and Resume/CV. Your cover letter can be attached at the same time as your resume on the application.

Responsibilities of the Director of the Emeriti Center

1. Reporting to the Vice Provost for Academic and Faculty Affairs, the Director leads and advances the achievement of the Center's mission through the direction and management of the Center's operations, including the functional areas of program administration, event management, campus and community relations, marketing and outreach. Serves as chair of the Emeriti Executive Board. Serves in administrative capacity supporting the work of the Retired Faculty Association Board and Staff Retirement Association Board.

2. Recognizes the needs, talents, and desires of USC retired faculty and staff and facilitates programming that enhances the connection between USC retirees, and the University, including these human services:

• Provides a resource for retirement planning education, counseling, and referrals, including "Transitions" Retirement Education Series
• Administers the USC Retiree Gold Card and maintains and enhances its attendant privileges.
• Promotes and encourages continued service of retired staff and faculty to the University, alumni, and the extended community.
  Oversees and administers programming and services of the Emeriti Center including those fostering intellectual activity through research, teaching/mentoring, and service.
• Facilitates communication between the University and its retirees to assure the participation of these groups as part of the Trojan Family as well as the local and extended community.
• Supports the mission and activities of the Staff Retirement Association and the Retired Faculty Association.
• Continues the Center's role in national and international organizations and conferences that involve retirement issues in higher education, including the the Association of Retirement Organizations in Higher Education, Gerontology Society of America, American Society on Aging, and Age Friendly University Global Network.

3. Is responsible for the development and implementation of funding strategies to enhance the endowment and other accounts that support the goals of the Emeriti Center.

4. Is responsible for administrative duties consisting of staff supervision, annual report preparation, an annual budget, and enlisting the assistance of University officers in the pursuit of Emeriti Center goals. Additional duties consist of initiation of, or participation in, activities that are recognized as enhancing the relationship of retired staff and faculty to the University and the community, in particular, intergenerational programs engaging USC students with retired faculty, staff and alumni.

Qualifications for Position

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree with seven years of directly related teaching and program management experience; however, a combination of experience and education may substitute minimum educational requirement.
• PhD degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training, Gerontology or Aging related disciplines preferred.
• Expert knowledge of field, teaching experience and/or active in research.
• Significant experience working with older adults, potential or current retirees is preferred.
• Ability to manage sponsored projects and fundraise.
• Demonstrated leadership skills to design and sustain effective management, volunteer and communications programs.
• Ability to effectively supervise staff and office functions.
• Clear and deep knowledge of retirement and related issues for the higher education environment and more broadly.
• Ability to conduct research on policy and demographic and other issues.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills for dealing with multiple constituencies and interests.
• Ability to formulate communication programs, including marketing, public relations and community outreach.
• Demonstrated ability to design, initiate and manage programmatic content and delivery for retirements and related issues across a diverse and growing clientele.
• Ability to work with multiple sources in developing programs.
• Strong ability to develop and manage effective volunteer programs.
• 3-5 years of demonstrated experience successfully leading a related program or center.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly grasp campus processes, protocols and procedures.
• Strong analytical/problem solving skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with all levels of staff and influence, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to manage mid-level programs.
• Ability to multi-task with demanding timeframes.
• Ability to use discretion and maintain all confidentially
  

In addition, the successful candidate must demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment to USC's Unifying Values of integrity, excellence, diversity, equity and inclusion, well-being, open communication and accountability.

The annual base salary range for this position is $124,746.96 - $125,000. 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, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

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Minimum Qualifications:
Master's degree with seven years of directly related teaching and program management experience; however, a combination of experience and education may substitute minimum educational requirement.