Since 2005, the USC School of Cinematic Arts (SCA) has successfully provided customized international consulting and advisory services in cinematic arts and new media curriculum development, facilities and equipment design,  instructors, and program evaluation, as well as creating and delivering a broad range of targeted training programs, classes, and workshops for students, aspiring and professional practitioners and administrators in all areas of the media arts with multinational companies, governmental agencies, cultural ministries, prominent educational institutions and creative arts organizations.  SCA will hire a new fulltime program manager to play a leadership role on its current and new programs.    

Job Summary

The new Program Manager will have the overall responsibility for all programmatic, administrative, and budgetary components of our current and new projects.  The program manager will work closely with the associate dean for international projects and selected SCA faculty, senior staff and entertainment professionals to design, deliver and oversee multiple hybrid and virtual training courses for professional and emerging filmmakers and creators.  Through December 2023, the manager will be in direct ongoing communication with senior Netflix Africa management in delivering special hybrid and virtual workshops. Beginning in January 2024 and possibly earlier, the program manager will assume leadership responsibility for most of SCA’s international projects as well as occasional selected domestic programs.  

The ideal candidate will have significant experience with program management as well as preexisting knowledge of and relationships with the American and international media markets.  This candidate should be a natural leader and collaborator, an exceptional communicator, flexible and calm in the face of challenges, and passionate about talent development.  The position will be based at the USC School of Cinematic Arts in Los Angeles. Working remotely will not be allowed.  Non-U.S. citizens must have a valid work visa through December 2025.  

Responsibilities

• In concert with the associate dean, establish realistic program goals and create plans for proposed new programs to implement and supervise unique in-person and virtual training programs with key stake holders.  Responsible for the preparation of all required external and internal written materials related to partnership development, including agreement negotiations, proposals research and preparation and delivery within the proscribed deadlines.  The manager will also be responsible for promoting the operational and administrative vision of the SCA Netflix Grow Creative Africa partnership’s programs through December 2023.    

• Through the end of the current Netflix agreement term, serve as the primary liaison between SCA and Netflix Grow Creative Africa, regularly reviewing Netflix’s evolving program training goals in Sub-Saharan Africa and other countries where SCA will be producing Netflix workshops and aligning SCA program activities to support those objectives. 

• Oversee the day-to-day implementation of SCA’s international programs, working with SCA International programs Leadership, SCA and non-SCA faculty and outside U.S. film / TV professionals to develop curriculum and course goals. Plan and produce multiple courses simultaneously with the designated production companies and academies.

• For Netflix, responsible for identifying, developing, and maintaining key relationships with selected talent development entities including film and TV programs at universities as well as independent professional and governmental organizations supporting film and TV in Sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere.

• Recruit and develop a network of SCA faculty and Hollywood/international industry professionals to serve as instructors and mentors throughout the various international projects’ course development and instruction, through the completion of each designated course.  Establish program performance standards and evaluation strategies; recommend and implement course changes as appropriate. 

• Navigate cross-cultural settings and successfully bridge gaps in understanding between American/international instructors and the international partners and participants.  Tactfully work with instructors to assure that course content is relevant and respectful in each cultural context.

• Collaborate with SCA faculty and SCA International Programs leadership to develop and draft new proposals for potential consulting opportunities.   

• Manage the Program Specialist on the Netflix program in maintaining the budget, scheduling, managing the logistics in setting up and managing the hybrid and virtual workshops.    

• Perform other related duties on the international projects as assigned or requested. The University reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree, preferred in film, television or related programming work experience;  combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education
• Pre-existing awareness and interest in African, Middle East and global cinema and television industries, and an understanding of international socio-political geography
• Minimum seven years of work experience at a management leadership level in a related field
• Exceptional writing and communication skills
• Budget organization and management
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to oversee multiple projects
• Adaptable and resourceful in the face of unexpected problems
• Outstanding people skills to collaborate with many types of individuals in diverse cultural settings and situations
• Initiative in problem identification and resolution
• Ability and interest to undertake occasional international travel
• Based at USC fulltime at the School of Cinematic Arts.  No working remotely
• If currently living outside of Los Angeles, there will be no reimbursements for expenses relocating to Los Angeles

Preferred Qualifications

• American university experience as an instructor, administrator or senior staff in accredited cinematic arts program
• International work experience, preferably in Africa, the MENA region, China, as a filmmaker, producer, executive, senior manager, or consultant
• Significant relationships with international film/TV talent and organizations
• Experience in the American film/TV industry
• Fluency in a second language

The salary range for this position is $101,377 - $118,147. 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.

USC employees, by virtue of the university’s status as a nonprofit tax-exempt organization, may qualify for public service student loan forgiveness (PSLF).

The University of Southern California (USC), founded in 1880, is located in downtown L.A. and is the largest private employer in the City of Los Angeles.  As an employee of USC, you will be a part of a world-class research university and a member of the “Trojan Family,” which is comprised of the faculty, students and staff that make the university what it is.  The University of Southern California values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity in employment.

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About University of Southern California (USC)

USC is the leading private research university in Los Angeles—a global center for arts, technology and international business. With more than 47,500 students, we are located primarily in Los Angeles but also in various US and global satellite locations. As the largest private employer in Los Angeles, responsible for $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 and professional schools and administrative units. As a USC employee and member of the Trojan Family—the faculty, staff, students, and alumni who make USC a great place to work—you will enjoy excellent benefits, including a variety of well-being programs designed to help individuals achieve work-life balance.

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