Director, Culture Transformation

Who We Are:

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 $5 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, and you will be a member of the Trojan Family - the faculty, staff, students and alumni who make USC a great place to work.

The Office:

The USC Office of Culture, Ethics and Compliance (OCEC) was established in response to continuing scrutiny from government regulators and an increasingly complex statutory and regulatory environment.  The Culture, Ethics and Compliance Program is intended to demonstrate the institution’s commitment to comply with all applicable laws and regulations, detect and correct compliance violations promptly, eliminate misconduct and other unethical behavior through the diligent and analytical work of its team members, and support the programmatic embedding of the institution’s unifying values and behaviors into system and process improvements, across critical focus areas of culture through partnerships with internal stakeholders and advisory bodies, and within schools and units.

The Position:

The USC Office of Culture, Ethics and Compliance is seeking a Director of Culture Transformation to join the Trojan Family. This ongoing position was established in August 2019 as a result of USC’s on-going commitment to culture change and culture management. Reporting directly to the Vice President, Culture, Ethics and Compliance and Chief Compliance Officer, this position will be charged with facilitating and directing culture programs and initiatives for the university. This is a unique opportunity to be part of a growing office that is developing its program to increase transparency and compliance in a variety of risk areas at a pivotal time in our history.

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Key Responsibilities Include:

• Actively drives, develops, coordinates and maintains all university-wide strategies, programs, training and frameworks aimed at enhancing and promoting a culture based on the University’s unifying values, and ethical decision-making.

• Partners with initiative leads in core areas impacting the University’s culture such as diversity, equity, and inclusion, people development, expressing concerns and well-being,

• Oversees day-to-day operations of all programs related to the initiative, applying structured methodology to lead culture transformation/change management activities.

• Partners with the Working Group on University Culture (WGC), Culture Council, and key stakeholders at the university to transform the state of culture to one desired.

• Continues to engage and develop a network of 100+ culture and values champions, providing coaching and leadership to support their culture change efforts.

• Partners with the president’s office, senior leadership, student leaders, and the Vice President of Culture, Ethics and Compliance/Chief Compliance Officer to set clear goals for the university.

• Designs and develops a system or tools to measure the acceptance and movement of culture issues throughout the university.

Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• Bachelor’s degree (minimum) in business administration, social work, psychology, or relevant field; Master’s degree strongly preferred.

• Seven or more years’ relevant experience in organizational effectiveness and change management, with a solid understanding of the drivers of organizational climates.

• Extensive program facilitation experience in multiple small and large groups at all levels of participation and leadership.

• Experience leading functional and cross-functional team projects with shared objectives.

• Proven track record of developing and implementing action-oriented innovative models of practice, approach and policy for promoting culture changes, strengthening organizations and workplace environments.

• Demonstrated ability to track, manage and handle significant volumes of matters involving different issues with keen attention to detail.

• Knowledge of risk management and liability issues affecting higher education.

• Experience applying policies and procedures, writing legal and technical documents, and at assembling, organizing, and conceptualizing numerical data in spreadsheets, databases, reports, and presentations.

• Lead/guidance skills, with the ability to manage and prioritize different tasks and projects.

• Deft interpersonal skills for communicating with all levels of staff and diverse individuals and groups.

• Excellent problem-solving skills with demonstrated ability addressing difficult and complex issues, and diffusing high-tension situations.

• Knowledge of human resources processes, with experience in mediation, negotiation, staff development, and teaching/training staff.