Creating Position Profiles

Powerfully written, clear and concise “Position Profiles” (i.e., job announcements) are the key to attracting the right candidate for your job. Research indicates that some of the most important elements of an effective Position Profile include: 1) Job tasks, 2) Results/Outcomes expected, 3) How the person will spend the bulk of their time, 4) Competencies (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities), 5) Organizational/culture fit. While allowing for flexibility in content, to the extent possible we strive to maintain a consistent look and feel for the position announcements.

Position Profiles may include the elements below:

1. Job Title – Note: Be as descriptive as possible, avoiding generic titles as much as possible
2. Introductory paragraph stating the department, the position overview, and the goal/purpose driving the position
3. Job Responsibilities/Accountabilities:

• The bulk of the activities/tasks the individual will be performing. (How will they be spending the majority of their time?)
• Results/Outcomes expected of the position (Not tasks, but results/outcomes.)
• Competencies (i.e., Knowledge/Skills/Abilities)
• The type of person you are seeking (visionary, innovative, dynamic, responsible, etc.)

1. A description of the culture of your organization/department (busy, intense, quiet, collaborative, creative, transactional, team-oriented, etc.)
2. Paragraph highlighting USC as an exciting and dynamic place to work
3. Paragraph highlighting USC benefits
4. Indicate if grant-funded, location of position if outside the campus, or other aspects that might be pertinent
5. Note: Please include the following BOLDED statement at the end of your announcement: “The University of Southern California is an Equal Opportunity Employer that Values Diversity.”

Tips: Bulleted info is easiest to read and most compelling. Use concise, direct, single-sentence statements. Use action verbs like “lead, guide, build.”

Below is a sample Position Profile. Feel free to borrow general wording as you see fit.

Assistant Director of Talent Management

University of Southern California

The University of Southern California is seeking a high-integrity, innovative and entrepreneurial talent management leader to play a key leadership and managerial role in USC’s integrated talent services group, which includes the talent acquisition and professional/organizational development functions of the university in partnership with division human resources professionals throughout the university. The mission of USC’s talent services group is to attract, develop and retain top talent to optimize USC’s performance. The Assistant Director of Talent Services is responsible for helping to co-create the future vision, and driving the execution of strategies to get there.  The overarching mandate for the position is to fuel progress toward the optimization of talent acquisition and performance improvement at USC in order to help it realize its strategic plan for institutional excellence.

As part of a matrixed, total talent organization, your leadership responsibilities will span the talent acquisition and professional and organizational development departments:

Responsibilities/Outcomes:

• Lead and manage talent acquisition function for all staff hires
• Lead a team of organizational development consultants to address internal performance improvement efforts for university units
• Partner with Director of Talent Services to ensure excellence in talent management service delivery across the university.
• Build partnerships with the USC stakeholder community and influence academic and administrative stakeholders at USC to enhance the role talent management within the university.
• Serve as the leader and manager of the execution of performance goals within the talent services teams. 
• Participate in establishing USC as a nationally recognized leader in creating a higher education talent management model that is successfully bringing “next practice” performance optimization into an academic setting.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum 5-10 years experience, ideally in an entrepreneurial environment with exposure to talent management initiatives.  Master’s degree with seven years of HR experience in human resources including supervisory experience preferred.

• Prefer exposure to talent acquisition best practices and competence in the practice of organizational development consulting activities

• Leadership skills: vision and strategy creation (“big picture”); innovation and creativity; execution planning; influence and motivation; team leadership and management; change management

• Courageous and optimistic attitude; teaming/collaborative approaches; strong relationship orientation through work; highly flexible and adaptable and thrives in (and is energized by) a high change environment.

• Impeccable integrity and high degree of responsibility, accountability and authenticity.

• Strong communication skills and interpersonal effectiveness, including strong relationship building, team building and conflict management experience.

It’s an exciting time at USC. We are world-renowned for our innovative education, academic excellence and path-breaking research in a vibrant region exploding with potential. As part of a university that is on an upward trajectory, excellent development and advancement opportunities are possible here. Ultimately, you will support the university’s expansive, humanity-centered mission: “The development of human beings and society as a whole through the cultivation and enrichment of the human mind and spirit.”

USC has excellent benefits, including health benefits for staff and their family with access to the renowned university medical network; eligibility for retirement plans with employer contributions after six (6) months of employment; tuition benefits for staff and their family; free Professional Development classes; central Los Angeles location with easy access to commuter trains, buses and free tram pick up services; discounts to football, basketball and other campus events.

The University of Southern California is an Equal Opportunity Employer that Values Diversity.