Visuals Editor

The Brand Creative group within USC's University Communications is seeking a creative, energetic, and forward-thinking visual storyteller to join its team as a Visuals Editor. Reporting to the Production Project Manager, the Visuals Editor will bring the stories of USC faculty, staff, students, alumni, and other members of the Trojan Family to life through compelling photography, illustration, and other visual media. Working closely with the Editorial team and Creative Director, the Visuals Editor will oversee all aspects of photo shoot production, photo research, and photo editing, primarily supporting print, digital, and branded content.

Job Responsibilities

• Generate ideas for visual stories and maintain a strong editorial voice through selection of imagery that is aligned with USC's brand and mission. Sophisticated visual aesthetic.
• Work collaboratively with the editorial and creative teams on story concepts to help determine which stories need photos, illustrations or infographics.
• Research and select photos, illustrations or other imagery for editorial stories, news stories, social media channels, presentations and videos.
• Oversee contracts, photo fees and usage rights with the Creative team and the USC legal department.
• Collaborate with high-level subjects, writers, editors, photographers, illustrators, web developers, and other public relations and creative team members.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Media, Journalism, Photography, Design, English or related field.
• Exceptional visual storytelling skills with a strong eye for photography and proven ability to tell stories across a variety of visual tools.
• Strong background working with photographers and agencies, with deep knowledge of rights management and usage.
• Proficiency with digital tools, including Photo Mechanic, Lightroom, and Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Photoshop), with the ability to resize, retouch, and color-correct photos.
• Strong news background and judgment, with active engagement in communications trends.
• Ability to effectively customize content for web, social, and print formats.
• Highly organized, analytical, and meticulous, with experience maintaining detailed records and metadata.
• Excellent research, analytical, verbal and written communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organization and project management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, multiple projects, and deadlines within a complex organization.
• Highly collaborative and effective working in team environments.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate's degree in a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3 years of relative professional experience in photography, visual arts, editorial, publishing, communications, or a related field.
• Experience researching, selecting and editing photography for editorial, digital or print publications.

Candidate Must Submit:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Portfolio of work

The budgeted hourly range for this position is $30 - $35.34 an hour. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer alignment, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.