Academic Program Coordinator, Academic Operations
USC is a leading private research university located in Los Angeles—a global center for arts, technology, and international business. As the city’s largest private employer, responsible for more than $8 billion annually in economic activity in the region, we offer the opportunity to work in a dynamic and diverse environment, in careers that span a broad spectrum of talents and skills across a variety of academic schools and units.
As a USC employee, you will enjoy excellent benefits and perks while becoming part of the Trojan Family—the faculty, staff, students, and alumni who make USC a great place to work.
The USC Thornton School of Music is seeking a highly organized, detail-oriented Academic Program Coordinator to provide administrative, financial, and operational support for academic and programmatic activities. For more information about the school, please visit us at http://music.usc.edu/.
This position plays a critical role in ensuring the efficient coordination of curricular offerings, events, guest engagements, financial transactions, scheduling, and administrative operations. The position also supports the planning and coordination of recurring academic program activities and annual operational cycles to ensure the consistent delivery of program objectives in the Division of Contemporary Music. For more information about the program, please visit us at https://music.usc.edu/departments/contemporary-music/.
The successful candidate will be a proactive problem-solver with exceptional customer service skills, strong financial and administrative experience, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. This role requires sound judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with faculty, staff, students, and external partners. The successful candidate will demonstrate initiative and take ownership of recurring responsibilities and annual processes, ensuring projects are carried through to successful completion. The individual will serve as a proactive administrative partner by anticipating needs, monitoring critical deadlines, maintaining operational continuity, providing timely reminders and follow-up, and contributing ideas that support program growth and excellence.
This position is 100% onsite at USC's University Park Campus.
Primary Responsibilities - Administrative & Program Support
Maintain calendars, schedules, and program timelines. Replace with: Maintain and proactively manage calendars, schedules, program timelines, and recurring annual program activities.
Partner with the Program Chair to anticipate operational needs, monitor critical timelines, and support strategic priorities through proactive planning, communication, and follow-through.
Financial & Budget Administration
Event & Guest Coordination
Data Management & Reporting
Maintain accurate records, databases, program documentation, and documentation of recurring annual processes to support continuity and consistent program operations.
Two or more years of progressively responsible administrative, operations, program coordination, or financial support experience.
Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Workday and other technology platforms such as SIS, Concur.
Exceptional customer service orientation with a demonstrated commitment to responsiveness, professionalism, discretion, relationship-building, and delivering a high level of support to faculty, students, staff, alumni, guests, and external partners.
Experience in higher education, event coordination, business operations, or administrative services is preferred but not required.
Demonstrated ability to identify opportunities for process improvement, operational efficiency, student engagement, and program enhancement, and to bring forward thoughtful recommendations.
USC has excellent benefits, including health benefits for staff and their family, retirement plans, tuition assistance, professional development opportunities, and access to a vibrant campus community.
We pride ourselves on being a great place to work and offer:
The hourly base salary range for this position is $28.00 – $32.50 per hour.
When extending an offer of employment, USC considers factors including experience, education, skills, internal equity, applicable laws, and organizational needs.
Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree. Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 2 years. Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum experience Minimum Field of Expertise: Experience in higher education and/or customer service. Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills for interacting with both domestic and international stakeholders. Demonstrated attention to detail. Proven ability to plan, implement, and coordinate program logistics. Demonstrated database/data entry experience. Proven project management and problem solving skills, able to handle multiple timelines, changing priorities, and fluctuating workloads.
