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.

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 (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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About Us

USC is a leading private research university located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles – a global center for arts, technology and international business.

As the largest private employer in the city – 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. 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.

Application help

If you need assistance during the application process, see our application help. (If you already work for USC, see Your USC career.)

At any point you may also contact our HR Service Center for help at (213) 821-8100 or uschr@usc.edu.