Social Media Manager / Communications Manager II

MSU Internal Job Postings Details•East Lansing, MI

About The Position

Michigan State University Advancement is seeking a creative, strategic, and hands-on Social Media Manager to lead the day-to-day presence of its social media platforms. This role manages and grows all University Advancement channels, including Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Threads, and emerging platforms, bringing the Spartan story to life for a global audience. With a community of more than 550,000 alumni and over 100 alumni clubs and affinity groups worldwide, this position plays an important role in fostering connection, pride, and engagement across the Spartan network. Through compelling storytelling and thoughtful content development, the Social Media Manager helps amplify alumni voices, campus moments, and philanthropic impact. Working closely with campus and Advancement partners, this role translates big ideas, campaign priorities, and institutional stories into engaging, platform-specific content. From capturing trends to creating original content and analyzing performance, this position blends creativity with execution to strengthen engagement and support Michigan State University’s advancement goals.

Requirements

Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Journalism, Telecommunications, Marketing, Advertising, Public Relations, or related field
Three to five years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in public and media relations
Composing, editing and publication production
News, broadcasting, and print media
Marketing, advertising, and creative services
Graphic design
Word processing
Desktop publishing
Web design
Presentation
Spreadsheet and/or database software
Public presentation or radio production
Computer programming/technology
Experience in a field related to are of employment
An equivalent combination of education and experience
May require valid vehicle operator’s license where needed to perform duties of the position

Nice To Haves

Three or more years of experience in social media, marketing, or communications
Experience engaging alumni or community-based audiences
Experience with paid social media campaigns
Experience in higher education, nonprofit, or a large, complex organization
Experience collaborating across teams to source and amplify content
Track record of success in creating engaging social media content across multiple platforms
Basic video editing and graphic design skills (Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, or similar tools)
Experience using social media analytics to evaluate performance (Sprinklr, Sprout, Hootsuite, or similar tools etc.)
Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills
Ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and collaborate across teams
Demonstrated eye for design, with an understanding of how visual content supports social media performance and digital accessibility standards

Responsibilities

Manage and grow University Advancement social media accounts across platforms including Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Threads, and emerging channels
Plan, create, and publish engaging content that connects alumni and supporters to the Spartan experience
Bring alumni stories, donor impact, and campus moments to life through compelling, platform-specific storytelling
Repurpose existing content into social-first formats that maximize reach and engagement
Create original content, including basic video and graphic assets
Maintain a consistent and strategic editorial calendar aligned with key campus, alumni, and Advancement priorities
Partner with campus communicators, Advancement teams, and Creative Services to source and amplify content
Identify and act on social media trends to keep content timely, relevant, and engaging
Ensure all content is accurate, on-brand, accessible, and aligned with university guidelines
Track and evaluate social media performance, including engagement, reach, and audience growth
Use data and insights to refine content and improve results over time
Monitor trends and audience behavior to identify opportunities for growth
Support and execute paid social media efforts, including boosting and targeted campaigns
Share insights and recommendations to strengthen performance and engagement
Engage with a global audience of more than 550,000 alumni through active and thoughtful community management
Help strengthen connections across alumni clubs, affinity groups, and the broader Spartan community
Collaborate with campus and Advancement partners to elevate stories and expand reach
Encourage and curate user-generated content that reflects the energy and impact of the MSU community
Monitor social media channels for emerging issues, trends, and conversations
Support timely and appropriate responses in collaboration with communications partners
Assist with social media support during sensitive or high-visibility situations