| Location | Richland County, SC |
Senior Associate for the Office of Organizational Excellence
Salary
See Position Description
Location
Richland County, SC
Job Type
FTE - Full-Time
Job Number
9739725
Agency
University of South Carolina
Opening Date
08/11/2026
Closing Date
8/19/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Agency Specific Application Procedures:
Your application must be submitted online at https://apptrkr.com/9739725
Class Code:
AA75
Position Number:
9739725
Normal Work Schedule:
Monday - Friday (8:30 - 5:00)
Pay Grade
Unclassified
EEO Statement
Equal Opportunity Employer
Veteran Preference Statement
South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.
Job Responsibilities
Senior Associate for the Office of Organizational ExcellenceDepartment: Organizational ExcellenceAdvertised Salary Range: Part/Full Time: Full TimeAbout UofSCFrom 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 bachelors 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.Inclusive Excellence StatementAdvertised Job SummaryThe Senior Associate for the Office of Organizational Excellence (OE) actively contributes to planning, development, and administration of the OE initiative and serves as a proactive advocate for efficient processes, effective use of resources, and user-friendly services. A significant portion of the role involves facilitating a wide range of improvement projects, with the Senior Associate providing support, set-up guidance, facilitation of project sessions, and assistance with user feedback, measurement, tracking, and results reporting. This collaborative position works in partnership with units throughout the university to review issues, assess the potential for improvement, and determine optimal approaches in a consensus-based way. The Senior Associate gathers information for the OE Advisory Group, newsletter, and website. In addition, the Senior Associate regularly seeks improvement-related feedback, including using surveys and focus groups when appropriate to gain input and insights from key stakeholders. The Senior Associate also works to embed OE practices throughout the university by providing coaching, focused training, network building, and ongoing development and promotion of tools, tips, and templates for improvement.
Minimum and Additional Requirements
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities- Working knowledge of higher education organizational structures, functions, policies, and procedures, or experience in a comparable complex organization.- Experience leading or supporting organizational improvement initiatives, including process improvement, resource optimization, organizational development, collaboration, and problem solving.- Applied knowledge of basic quantitative and qualitative research methods and the ability to analyze data to support informed decision-making.- Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills with the ability to diagnose complex situations, identify appropriate methods and tools, and develop practical solutions.- Demonstrated facilitation, collaboration, and consensus-building skills, with the ability to build and maintain productive relationships with diverse stakeholders across functions and organizational levels.- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including active listening, editing, proofreading, and the ability to communicate complex concepts in clear, concise, plain language.- Demonstrated ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively in team environments, including in-person and virtual settings.- Strong organizational and project management skills, including the ability to prioritize competing responsibilities, manage multiple concurrent projects, and consistently meet established timelines and deadlines.- Strong attention to detail and the ability to understand both broad organizational processes and detailed operational requirements to ensure accuracy and completeness.- Demonstrated sound judgment, professionalism, discretion, diplomacy, emotional intelligence, and the ability to maintain confidentiality while exercising initiative and sensitivity in interactions with others.- Ability to quickly learn new systems, processes, and technologies, adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment, and demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications- Advanced degree in a relevant field.- Certifications in project management, change management, innovation, Lean, or other aspects of improvement (e.g., design thinking, strategic planning, facilitation).- 10 years experience with improvement projects (guiding, supporting, and facilitating), change management, process improvement, and strategic planning/alignment.- Experience with institutional change in large, complex organizations.
Additional Comments
Job Close Date08/19/2026Special Instructions to ApplicantPositions 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 August 19, 2026.The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:- Health and Life Insurance- Retirement Programs- Paid Tuition- Dependent Scholarships- Annual Leave- Sick Leave- 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)- Paid Parental Leave- Professional Development OpportunitiesClickhttps://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsc.edu%2Fabout%2Foffices_and_divisions%2Fhuman_resources%2Fcareers%2Findex.php&data=05%7C01%7CKURTRS%40email.sc.edu%7Ceca45df616784275e15908dab2a706ac%7C4b2a4b19d135420e8bb2b1cd238998cc%7C0%7C0%7C638018727680845870%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=j6sQGvabHDZHDmRBFwMrq8P8QCuDmChuJ%2FH5%2F8hDRUw%3D&reserved=0 to learn more about why you should work at USC.To apply, please visit: https://apptrkr.com/9739725EEO StatementThe University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities on the basis of race, sex, gender, gender identity, transgender status, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetics, protected veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions.je-09b34e4557b9468a80065934ea76daab
Benefits for State Employees
The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.
Insurance Benefits
Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.
Retirement Benefits
State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.
Workplace Benefits
State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.
Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.
Employer State of South Carolina
Agency University of South Carolina Address Division of Human Resources
Columbia, South Carolina, 29208
Phone 803-777-3821
The language used in this document does not create an employment contract between the employee and the agency. This document does not create any contractual rights or entitlements. The agency reserves the right to revise the content of this document, in whole or in part. No promises or assurances, whether written or oral, which are contrary to or inconsistent with the terms of this paragraph create any contract of employment.