Administrative & Academic Support Associate

Posting Number

RTF00286PO25

USC Market Title

Administrative Coordinator

Link to USC Market Title

Business Title (Internal Title)

Administrative & Academic Support Associate

Campus

Columbia

Work County

Richland

College/Division

College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management

Department

HRSM College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sports Management

Advertised Salary Range

$49,396 - $67,000

Location of Vacancy

Columbia, SC

Part/Full Time

Full Time

Hours per Week

37.5

Work Schedule

• Standard operational hours for the University are Monday through Friday from 8:30am until 5:00pm (EST).
• Working hours may vary, weekend and/or evening hours may be required to meet the demands of the College.

Type of Staff Position

Staff Time-Limited (STL)

Basis

12 months

Job Search Category

Administrative

About USC

About University of South Carolina

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor's degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

Benefits for Research Grant or Time-Limited Positions Are Indicated Below

The University of South Carolina (UofSC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about UofSC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.

South Carolina Retirement

Yes

State Insurance Programs

Yes

Annual Leave

Yes

Sick Leave

Yes

Position Description

Advertised Job Summary

The College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management (HRSM) is seeking a highly motivated, detail-oriented, and personable Administrative & Academic Support Associate to deliver exceptional executive-level support to the academic leadership team and editors of select academic journals housed within the college. Under the supervision of the Associate Dean for Research (ADR), this essential role ensures the seamless coordination of academic journals, research, and administrative operations.

The ideal candidate is a dynamic communicator, collaborative team player, and technical expert who thrives in a fast-paced, professional environment. With a proactive mindset and strong organizational acumen, this individual will play a key role in advancing the college's academic mission and operational excellence.

Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience

• Requires a bachelor's degree in a job related field and 3 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience.

Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's and/or Master's Degree in English or Journalism with thesis in Social Sciences (e.g., Mass Communications, Sociology, Psychology, Tourism, Hospitality, Retail, Sport Management or any combination).

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Initiative & Independence: Demonstrates a proactive, self-starting approach with the ability to anticipate needs and work effectively both independently and within a team environment.
• Communication Excellence: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with strong attention to detail and mastery of grammar and professional tone.
• Customer Service & Interpersonal Skills: Maintains a personable and welcoming demeanor, delivering outstanding hospitality and support to guests, students, faculty and staff.
• Technical Proficiency: Expertise in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly PowerPoint and Excel, with the ability to create polished presentations and manage complex data sets.
• Design & Visual Communication: Skilled in graphic design and visual storytelling, with experience producing compelling presentations and familiarity with tools such as Adobe Creative Suite.
• Digital Fluency: Strong technical aptitude and working knowledge of modern AI applications and digital tools.
• Organization & Project Coordination: Highly organized with excellent time-management skills and the ability to coordinate multiple projects and priorities efficiently.
• Professionalism & Confidentiality: Handles sensitive information with discretion and maintains a high standard of professionalism in all interactions.
• Adaptability & Collaboration: Thrives in dynamic environments, navigating diverse teams and shifting priorities with ease and flexibility.

Job Duties

Job Duty

Support for Associate Dean for Research (ADR): Key responsibilities include coordinating with the University's Vice President for Research (VPR) Office on research-related matters; identifying and monitoring external research grant opportunities; and planning and executing research-focused workshops and events. Additional duties involve maintaining spreadsheets for data analysis and reporting, as well as creating impactful presentations and visual data reports using MS Office tools, including Excel and PowerPoint.

Essential Function

Yes

Percentage of Time

40

Job Duty

Support for Faculty Directors: Deliver executive-level administrative support to two Faculty Directors – Faculty Director of Research and Faculty Director of Global Strategy and Strategic Engagement – within the College of HRSM. Responsibilities include coordinating meetings—such as preparing agendas, recording minutes, and tracking action items to ensure timely completion. Oversee logistics for campus visitors hosted by the Faculty Directors, including arranging travel, creating itineraries, managing schedules, and ensuring a professional, welcoming experience for all guests.

Essential Function

Yes

Percentage of Time

20

Job Duty

Editorial Assistance: Collaborate with College of HRSM journal editors to draft, format, and manage academic and editorial communications (i.e. reports, letters, emails); assisting with the preparation and submission of academic content; and maintaining organized records of editorial workflows and deadlines. Additionally, support journal editors in managing paper-review platforms such as ScholarOne, including tasks related to the double-blind peer-review process; updating author and reviewer accounts; identifying suitable reviewers; and communicating with authors, reviewers, and editorial board members.

Essential Function

Yes

Percentage of Time

35

Job Duty

Additional Responsibilities: Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Essential Function

Yes

Percentage of Time

5

Position Attributes

Hazardous weather category

Non-Essential

Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing.

No

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies

1

Desired Start Date

02/09/2026

Position End Date

01/15/2031

Job Open Date

12/19/2025

Job Close Date

01/04/2026

Open Until Filled

No

Special Instructions to Applicant

Required Application Materials Include:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• List of References
• Portfolio of two or three writing samples
• Presentation deck(s) created by the applicant (you may attach this to the Other Supporting Documents in the attachment/upload section of your application).

Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.

We are only accepting applications submitted by January 4, 2026.

Quicklink for Posting

EEO Statement

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.

Salary : $49,396 - $67,000