Director, Client Services

The Director, Client Services will oversee a dynamic team of HR Partners (HRPs) supporting multiple clients at the university. This individual will co‑define the talent strategy for their client groups and enable their HR Partners to act as effective thought partners and key advisors to units on organizational and workforce strategies. This role will work across the HR function to ensure the team of HR Partners is equipped with current data, analytics, policy and industry knowledge to effectively serve their clients.

The Director, Client Services will apply leading HR practices and deep domain knowledge to ensure their team is equipped with tools and strategic guidance needed to transform business strategies and goals into talent solutions that improve the employee experience and achieve business goals. This role will help enable USC's mission and vision while championing USC's culture and values.

For priority consideration, please submit your formal application by Friday, January 16, 2026.

• Understanding and applying human resources leading practices and key data to contribute to the client unit's near and long‑term strategies and goals. Possessing an understanding of the strategic role of HR Partners in enabling a unit's strategy and goals. Applying a deep knowledge of HR client services, employee relations, talent management, compensation, learning and development, organizational development and design, change management, and promoting community belonging to guide the HR client services team in providing strategic direction to units.

• Demonstrating credibility and workforce strategy and analytics expertise in all interactions with client unit leadership. Demonstrating a broad understanding of units' business needs and delivering forward‑thinking, world‑class HR support of those needs. Understanding the value in and driving the use of people analytics to enable data‑driven decision making.

• Defining the HR and people strategy for the client unit they oversee based on leading industry practices and talent/organizational data. Equipping HR team with tools necessary to act as an outstanding strategic advisor. Working with HR centers of expertise to establish a plan to transform the in‑unit HR role from a tactical to strategic HR service provider including the design/implementation of assessments, gap analysis, up‑skilling/learning initiatives and communications plans for units.
  
  Emphasizing the importance of service excellence by interweaving it into project details, measurements and development and training of the team. Interacting regularly with stakeholders to collect feedback and ascertain ways to continually improve client services delivered. Creating HR systems and business processes with stakeholders and customers in mind. Meeting deliverables according to planned deadlines.

• Working closely with HR Partners to ensure stakeholder buy‑in for processes and strategies. Effectively communicating and presenting to stakeholders of various levels in the organization. Engaging with HR leaders to stay up to date on areas of expertise, changes in policy, etc. Consistently communicating with direct reports as well as HR customers to understand existing challenges and areas of opportunity. Gathering structured feedback from HR customers to enhance programs and ensure consistency in approach.
  
  Providing feedback to the HR Solution Center regarding transactional services and knowledge content provided for purposes of continuous improvement.

• Maintaining regular touchpoints with centers of expertise to ensure HR Partners are equipped with relevant and current data, analytics, policy and industry knowledge to effectively serve their clients. Providing innovative guidance and recommendations to unit leaders based on HR leading practices and data. Continuously upgrading knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to keep abreast of regulation/policy changes.

• Overseeing a team of designated HR Partners and providing strategic direction and leadership. Partnering with HR customers, unit leaders, and HR Partners to define learning, career mobility opportunities and develop succession plans. Employing…