What are the responsibilities and job description for the Social Media Manager position at Crystal Bridges?
The mission of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is to welcome all to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Founded by philanthropist and arts patron Alice Walton, Crystal Bridges is a public non-profit charitable organization.
Job Description:
Position Title: Social Media Manager
Position Type: Full-Time
FLSA Classification: Exempt
Division: Public Relations
Department: Brand Strategy and Communications
Reports to: Senior Public Relations Director
About Crystal Bridges & The Momentary:
Crystal Bridges is a museum of American art located in Bentonville, Arkansas. We explore the unfolding story of America by actively collecting, exhibiting, interpreting, and preserving outstanding works that illuminate the American heritage and artistic possibilities. Founded by Alice Walton in 2005, the museum opened in 2011 and is a public, non-profit charitable organization with free admission.
The Momentary is a venue for the music, art, and food of our time, and a catalyst for creativity and economic vitality. An extension to Crystal Bridges, the Momentary is a ‘living room’ where community gathers to be inspired, connected, and joyful. The Momentary enriches lives through music, art, and food experiences that inspire creativity, build community, and create joy. You belong here, make the most of this moment.
Position Summary:
At the direction of the Senior Public Relations Director, the Social Media Manager is responsible for the oversight and management of social media strategy, content, and efforts across platforms for Crystal Bridges and the Momentary. This role is pivotal in driving attendance, promoting exhibitions, programs, and offerings, while also building excitement and engagement through the development and deployment of creative organic social media content. The Social Media Manager will work closely with a variety of contract content creators and manage our in-house social media ambassador program to further the vision and mission of the institution, and achieve institutional KPIs.
The Social Media Manager reports directly to the Senior Public Relations Director. The SMM position is supported in part by the Assistant Social Media and Public Relations Coordinator, and integrates work with colleagues across the Public Relations Division and fuller Brand Strategy and Communications Department.
Principal Responsibilities:
- Manage Social Media Accounts: Oversee social media accounts for Crystal Bridges and the Momentary to drive awareness of exhibitions, programs, and other offerings, focusing on building audiences and engagement across platforms such as Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Google My Business.
- Develop and Implement Social Media Strategy: Build social media plans and strategies through research, benchmarking, and audience identification, collaborating with PR Division colleagues, especially the Associate PR Director, to integrate strategies and develop an editorial calendar. Work across BSC Division closely with marketing strategy and content teams to establish and maintain content calendars and develop original content.
- Collaborate on Paid Digital Advertising: Work with the marketing strategy team to collaborate on social media plans for paid social advertising and support the management of social media budgets for promoted content across platforms as needed.
- Content Creation and Management: Create, edit, and share content for social platforms, collaborating with creative and digital teams to generate graphics, video, and other assets as needed. Develop content that meaningfully recognizes cultural milestones and observances and supports institutional missions throughout the year.
- Identify Storytelling Opportunities: Proactively collaborate with other departments to identify storytelling opportunities for social platforms. Work with curatorial, creative, digital, content, program, and music teams to manage gallery and program activations that encourage social media engagement onsite.
- Maintain Social Media Style Guides: Develop and maintain social media style guides and internal policies to convey a consistent voice, tone, and brand integrity. Activate emergency alerts messaging across social media platforms as needed.
- Influencer Relations: Manage relationships with influencer marketing partners, including agencies and individual influencers and creators, to execute a variety of influencer activations and in-house ambassador program. Cultivate relationships with social media influencers, develop influencer marketing plans, and support influencer events.
- Monitor and Analyze Performance: Working closely with Assistant Social Media and PR Coordinator, monitor social media platforms and audience feedback through various social media monitoring and listening tools. Generate reports on social media activities and work collaboratively with department administration to ensure accuracy and share with stakeholders regularly.
- Stay Updated with Trends: Monitor trends in social media to stay updated on emerging platforms, channels, and technologies.
- Reputation Management: Work with the Senior PR Director and marketing strategy team to manage online presence, monitoring content on review sites such as Google, Yelp, Tripadvisor, and Facebook. Develop strategies to engage with reviews, spark return visits, and bolster audience conversion to members/advocates.
- Content Creation: Work closely with multimedia and production teams to plan and develop a range of content for social platforms. Pursue original photo and video content specific to different social media channels (IGTV, IG Stories, Reels, YouTube, etc.).
Additional Responsibilities:
- Live Event Coverage: Provide real-time social media coverage of live events, exhibition programs, music, and performances.
- Issues and Crisis Management: Collaborate with PR colleagues on crisis communication plans for social media, responding promptly to manage issues, and surfacing issues as they may arise.
- Community Management: Monitor and engage with the online community, addressing inquiries and feedback professionally.
- Community Engagement and Partnerships: Working with teams across the institution, such as Learning & Engagement, foster and/or nurture relationships with local communities and organizations through social media initiatives connected to bigger programs and institutional priorities.
- Training and Development: Seek professional development opportunities to stay up-to-date on best social media practices and trends. Share knowledge with staff and volunteers as appropriate.
- Support Virtual Events: On occasion, collaborate on planning and execution of virtual events on social platforms, ensuring seamless integration and engagement.
- Channel Management: Currently, the institution manages an additional brand-connected social property, Send it South, for which this role is responsible. Others may develop in a future state.
- Budget Management: Manage allocated budget and resources for social media and influencer initiatives.
Qualifications and Skills:
- Associate or bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
- Proven ability to use visual storytelling and social listening to create unique and engaging content.
- Digital savvy professional, open to learning a variety of platforms and applications.
- Basic photo editing, video editing, and graphic creation skills.
- Basic knowledge and experience with managing multimedia files and understanding of file specifications (aspect ratio, resolutions, and file formats)
- Highest ethics as they relate to all aspects of institutional practices.
- Professional integrity and ability to handle sensitive issues with discretion.
- Methodical project management and execution skills.
- Ability to interact respectfully, collegially, and professionally.
- Ability and willingness to work weekends and evenings, as required.
- Flexible and adaptable to a fast-paced changing environment and shifting priorities.
- Belief in cultural institutions as a cause for social good.
Physical Demands and Work Environment:
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Physical demands: In the work environments described below, position requires utilizing a computer and telephone for prolonged periods of time, verbal and written conversation with others, lifting/carrying (up to 10 lbs.).
- Work Environment: Work will be performed in an office environment and in institution spaces. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate. Some overnight travel may be necessary.
All offers of employment are contingent on your successful completion (where permitted by state law) of a confidentiality agreement and background check. In addition, you will need to provide proper identification verifying your eligibility to work in the United States.
Crystal Bridges is an equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a culturally diverse workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. We encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.
