Social Media Specialist, University Communications and Marketing

Kent State•Kent, OH

1d•$53,015 - $58,616•Onsite

About The Position

The Social Media Specialist creates, executes, and supports social media content and strategy for University Communications and Marketing’s flagship channels, with a primary focus on engaging prospective and current students. The role produces social-native content that advances university priorities, builds affinity, and supports recruitment, yield, and retention goals. The position reports to the Director of Digital Content. The specialist creates and publishes original content; assists with daily publishing and community management; coordinates content scheduling with campus partners; and covers university events and student-life moments. The role also supports paid social campaigns, analyzes channel performance, recommends and tests optimizations, maintains brand and accessibility standards, monitors industry and platform trends, and collaborates with campus units on content and channel practices. It may include functional guidance for student employees.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field.
Two years of experience managing social media channels for an organization, brand, or publication.
Experience creating social media content, including photo/video capture, editing, and design basics.
Knowledge of social media platform best practices, algorithms, formats, and native features.
Knowledge of marketing and communications principles, especially for digital platforms.
Knowledge of social media analytics, reporting, and performance measurement.
Knowledge of digital accessibility standards as applied to social content.
Knowledge of higher education culture and organization.
Knowledge of AP style and copy editing for digital platforms.
Knowledge of AI platforms for content research and multimedia enhancement.
Written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to use social media management tools, such as Sprout Social, Meta Business Suite, and Hootsuite.
Ability to use Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, and other applicable software.
Photography and videography skills using mobile and DSLR equipment.
Ability to organize information and projects, adhere to deadlines, and manage multiple projects and assignments.
Ability to exercise sound judgment representing the university’s voice in public-facing channels and respond quickly and accurately in a fast-moving, real-time environment.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team, provide attention to detail and creativity, build effective working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and campus partners, and provide positive leadership and direction for a specific area.
Must be able to work occasionally during evenings and weekends and travel on and off campus.
Must pass a security check.

Nice To Haves

Experience managing social media for a higher education institution.
Experience in graphic design for social media platforms.
Experience in short-form vertical video production and editing.
Experience with an enterprise social media management platform.
Experience generating and interpreting reports from multiple social media platforms.

Responsibilities

Conceptualize, shoot, edit, and publish original social-native content, including video, photography, graphics, and written copy.
Assist with day-to-day publishing across university flagship social media channels, adapting tone, format, and framing to each platform and audience.
Maintain and execute designated tasks from the UCM social media content calendar and coordinate scheduling with campus partners.
Serve as a primary voice in community management and escalate questions, complaints, and potential issues according to established protocol.
Cover university events, traditions, campaigns, and student-life moments on location by capturing photo and video content from multiple vantage points.
Support paid social media campaigns through asset development, audience input, trafficking, and performance monitoring, in coordination with UCM creative staff and/or vendors.
Compile and interpret performance reporting from enterprise and native platform analytics, identify trends, recommend optimizations, and contribute to testing creative, copy, and posting strategy.
Ensure content meets university brand standards, policy requirements, and accessibility standards, including alt text, video captioning, CamelCase hashtags, and color contrast.
Research and monitor peer institutions, competitor channels, and platform trends; recommend new formats, features, and emerging platforms for university adoption.
Collaborate with colleges, divisions, and campus partners on content contribution, cross-promotion, and channel best practices.
Contribute to maintaining the university social media account directory and support account compliance review as assigned.
Provide functional guidance to student employees as assigned, potentially including scheduling, content review, and feedback.
Perform related duties as assigned.