Director of Social Strategy - Athletics

West Virginia University • West Virginia, WV

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Athletics Digital Media at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a Director of Social Strategy. The Director of Social Strategy leads the planning, execution, and growth of West Virginia University Athletics' social media presence, driving innovative digital content strategies that enhance the WVU brand, increase fan engagement, and support departmental objectives. Reporting to the Assistant Athletic Director for Creative/Digital, this position oversees content planning and publishing across primary athletics social media platforms, manages digital media staff and student content creators, and serves as a key strategist for major athletics accounts. The Director collaborates with creative, marketing, communications, video production, and external partners to develop impactful campaigns, fulfill sponsorship obligations, and deliver compelling storytelling that connects with student-athletes, fans, alumni, and donors. This role requires strong leadership, creativity, project management, and expertise in emerging social media trends while ensuring compliance with University, Big 12 Conference, and NCAA regulations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in digital media, television production, communication arts or related occupational field.
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in the following: Publishing to main team accounts with an emphasis on strategy to produce engaging content across all social platforms.
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.
• Operational knowledge of computers and/or computer-based video editing and graphic systems.
• Knowledge of various sports, the rules for play, and an understanding of basic strategies for those sports.
• Knowledge of new media/digital media and internet distribution opportunities.
• Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite.
• Strong familiarity and understanding of popular social medial platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and others).
• Knowledge and ability to monitor social trends.
• Familiarity with analytic tools such as Facebook Insights, Twitter Analytics and others with the ability to interpret data.
• Oral and written communication skills, including strong interpersonal skills.
• Skill in organizing resources and establishing priorities.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Effective time management skills.
• Ability to work additional hours and/or a flexible schedule as needed; such as evenings, early mornings or weekends to accommodate client schedules, events or to alleviate the demand on equipment.
• Ability to communicate clear directions to crew.
• Ability to take initiative and meet project deadlines.
• Ability to formulate concepts to plan, develop and implement pre-recorded video programs.
• Ability to critically analyze video elements.
• Ability to create and edit written materials.
• Ability to technically understand the electronics and aesthetics of studio or field video production.
• Ability to lead projects and make independent decisions.
• Ability to lift items weighing up to 50 pounds regularly - and up to 100 pounds occasionally.

Nice To Haves

• Leadership skills to develop entirety of content team to perform at their peak level of creativity.

Responsibilities

• Develop comprehensive digital media content plan with an emphasis on strategic management of the department’s content creators to advance and grow the WVU athletics brand.
• Direct all aspects of the publishing of content on WVU athletics social media accounts, including but not limited to the development of a comprehensive schedule, assignment of tasks to content creators and timing of posts to the departments accounts.
• Assist the Assistant AD – Creative/Digital in the oversight, production and management of content for the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics social medial platforms and overall digital information strategies.
• Provide oversight of the Digital Media Graduate Assistant position, as well as the student assistant program.
• Think creatively to develop innovative digital and social media information strategies to increase engagement with fans on a national level.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for the @WVUHoops & @WVUsports accounts, and one of the primary points of contact on WVU sport- specific social media accounts including but not limited to Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and others.
• Serve as the secondary point of contact for all @WVUFootball accounts as well as Gameday Manager of social media accounts including but not limited to Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and others.
• Assist in the social strategy for all WVU Gold and Blue Enterprise social media accounts including but not limited to Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and others.
• Work with the Learfield Social+ employee to ensure all sponsorship needs are met and scheduled for the athletic year.
• Streamline communication and serve as liaison between the creative/digital, marketing, and communications departments.
• Provide leadership to and management of content creators in major video projects; ranging from recruiting materials, promotional campaigns, web features, hype videos and new media/digital media efforts.
• Job functions include concept development, scripting, scheduling, and coordination of staff and equipment needs required to complete the project.
• Guides the work of staff or student workers assigned to assist on projects.
• Conducts regular meetings with Digital Media Staff, Athletic Marketing Staff, Athletics Communications and Video productions regarding project details to ensure that work is progressing on schedule and according to Athletics Department expectations. Working on multiple projects simultaneously is common, therefore successful time management is required.
• Participates in staff training and development opportunities to research New/Digital Media opportunities to market. Training and development is expected to relate to research into New/Digital Media opportunities for marketing the University, improvement of video quality, and the overall image of the athletic department. Assists management in the recruitment and training of graduate assistants, student workers and interns. Provides leadership and sets examples for Production Specialists and other staff members within the department.
• Includes, but not limited to; purchasing equipment, serving on committees, archiving digital files, completing individual activity reports and working with Engineering staff to ensure equipment is maintained and in good working order. May also include researching equipment, working on special projects for the Athletic Director, delivery or pick up of supplies, materials, - or other production elements. Other duties as assigned or deemed necessary to provide quality creative/digital services to the Athletic Department and our student-athletes, fans, donors, and alumni.
• Report directly to the Assistant AD – Creative/Digital; must also work closely with all others involved with carrying out the philosophy and objectives of the intercollegiate athletic program.
• Maintain knowledge of and comply with all rules, regulations, policies and guidelines of West Virginia University, the Big 12 Conference and the NCAA; must adhere to NCAA Bylaw 11.1 Conduct of Athletic Personnel. Failure to adhere to these policies will result in appropriate disciplinary action including possible suspension and termination.
• Represent the University on the highest professional level with dignity, integrity, and strength of character and will exhibit ethical behavior; must respect the rights and dignity of individuals with sensitivity to problems that may arise from racial, ethnical and sexual orientation differences.

Benefits

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you’re ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family’s, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6%25 employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ’s.
• Wellness programs

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director