Social Media Strategist

St. Ambrose University is seeking a Social Media Strategist to join our Marketing and Communications team. The Social Media Strategist is responsible for developing and enhancing St. Ambrose University's paid and organic social media content and engagement strategies, growing the university's reputation and brand through various social media channels, and engaging our audiences with creative and impactful content to achieve university goals. The Social Media Strategist will be crucial in developing and implementing the university's social media strategy, creating compelling content, developing partnerships toward an influencer strategy, and analyzing data to optimize our social media campaigns.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Social and Shared Media Accounts: Oversee all institutional social and shared media accounts, including Meta (Facebook/Instagram/Threads), X (ex Twitter), LinkedIn, Google (YouTube, Shorts), TikTok, and other emerging platforms.
• Content Creation: Develop, create, and schedule social media content (text, video, photo, and audio). Create and manage a rich content calendar and social media guide in collaboration with content teams. Use data to continually improve the university's engagement and social media content strategy. Provide supplemental support for adjacent digital creation and publishing platforms (e.g., Google Business, Google Ads, Meta Ads, Snap Ads, Emma, Canva, Vimeo, etc.).
• Influencer Strategy: Engage internal and external stakeholders in planning, developing and executing an impactful influencer strategy that showcases the university's brand and experience to grow SAU's presence through short-form videos. Includes managing an influencer team.
• Community Engagement: Monitor relevant online conversations, represent the university in these conversations as appropriate, and manage timely responses. Leverage key influencers to advance university messaging.
• Content Scheduling: Plan and schedule social media posts using data to maintain a consistent and effective online presence.
• Data Analysis: Analyze social media and earned media metrics and provide insights to improve content and strategies, working closely with campus stakeholders. Manage social media and connected publishing and analytics tools to optimize social media outcomes (e.g., Social Sprout, Google Analytics, internal data infrastructure integrations, etc.).
• Research: Stay updated on social media trends, best practices, and emerging platforms, sharing relevant information with the team.
• Collaboration: Work alongside the communications and marketing teams to create cohesive and visually appealing content. Work with key stakeholders to support the creation of consistent social media communications and marketing (e.g., athletics, academic and student affairs, enrollment, advancement, etc.). Assist and tutor other official university social media administrators on best practices and the effective use of social media communications. Maintain a master record of all university social media accounts.
• Training and Growth: Participate in training and development opportunities to enhance skills and knowledge in social media marketing.
• Provide excellent customer service to all stakeholders.

Qualifications:

• 2-4 years' experience in a professional social media position.
• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related field (or in progress).
• Basic knowledge of content marketing principles.
• Basic knowledge of public relations strategies.
• Experience in writing creative marketing content.

• Basic graphic design and multimedia editing skills.

• Excellent understanding of social media platforms, strategies, analytics and audience targeting.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent project management, organizational, and planning skills.
• Creative thinking and the ability to contribute fresh ideas to content creation.
• Capacity for flexible work to accommodate off-hours events and urgent projects.
• Must be able to work as a member of a team, independently work under tight deadlines, and assume responsibility for accurate completion of assignments.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in higher education or a similar field.
• Experience working in the media or a public relations role.
• Basic knowledge of generative AI tools.
• Familiarity with project management and collaboration tools (e.g., Airtable).

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement savings plan with employer match.
• Tuition Remission.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.
• A supportive and collaborative work environment.
• Access to campus amenities, cultural events, and recreational facilities.

At St. Ambrose University, we are more than an institution of higher learning; we are a beacon for those seeking to impact the world significantly. Guided by our foundation beliefs and values, our mission and vision reflect our dedication to fostering an inclusive, ethical, and dynamic learning environment. Join our dynamic team and help us communicate our mission and achievements to a broader audience.

How to Apply:
If you're ready to make an impact and take your career to the next level, we'd love to hear from you! To apply please submit your resume, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references though our online application portal at https://stambroseuniv.applicantlist.com. Position is open until filled. St. Ambrose actively seeks applications from members of underrepresented groups. EOE