SOCIAL MEDIA SPECIALIST

30-40 hours per week, 12 months

Anticipated hiring hourly pay range: $18.27-$20.67

REPORTS TO: Director of Marketing Communications

MISSION IMPACT:

Houghton University provides an academically challenging, Christ-center education in the liberal arts and sciences to students

from diverse traditions and economic backgrounds and equips them to lead and labor as scholar-servants in a changing world.

The Social Media Specialist will elevate the brand and nurture relationships with the constituents of Houghton University using

social media campaigns.

Essential Functions:

This position will partner with other marketing team members to implement an integrated marketing strategy, with primary

responsibility for:

• Content Creation & Planning – Design and execute content calendar to strategically expand the reach and recognition

of Houghton University among key audiences of prospective students, their families, and alumni through creative use

of graphics, video, and post captions.

o Write and schedule posts across key social platforms, following best practices to maximize engagement.

o Research social media trends accessibility best practices, and identify campus stories for posts.

o Works closely with Graphic Designer and Content Marketing Specialist to develop video, photo, and graphic

content.

• Community Engagement

o Moderate user-generated content following our community guidelines.

o Monitor mentions and respond to users across platforms to maintain a positive brand image.

• Platforms Management – Ensures compliance across university social media accounts with institutional policy and

accessibility guidelines.

o Support and work collaboratively with departmental content creators in their social media initiatives, providing

best practices, policy adherence, and resources to engage and grow audience in alignment with university-wide

marketing campaigns.

o Assist with monitoring and responding to crisis situations following the crisis communications plan.

• Analytics & Optimization – Regularly report performance and make adjustments to content and strategy to maximize

impact of social presence.

o Track and report sentiment, reach, engagement, and other performance metrics, and adjust content strategy to

maximize the impact of Houghton’s social presence.

o Routinely solicits feedback from current students to influence social media content and guide content strategy

and execution.

Success Profile:

The successful candidate will exhibit the following characteristics:

• Creative – Seeking new opportunities to capture attention and engage an audience while driving action to support

institutional goals.

• Detail-oriented – Making sure that copy is error-free and laid out in a visually compelling way with high-resolution

imagery and engaging design.

• Deadline-oriented – Able to manage priorities and produce high-quality deliverables on, or ahead of, schedule while

tracking and coordinating production and approvals.

• Project Management – Results-oriented and a self-starter who can manage, track, and complete multiple projects

simultaneously.

Statement of Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in art, communications, integrated marketing, public relations, or related field.

• Demonstrated experience in social media, marketing, or a related field.

• Knowledge of web-based marketing tools and content management systems, such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn,

Snapchat, Twitter/X, and Sprout Social.

• This position requires a team player with strong interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to manage deadlines and

adjust to changing priorities for multifaceted projects with limited supervision.

• Personal Christian faith that is reflected in one’s professional and personal life.

Houghton University is fully committed to a culturally diverse faculty, staff and student body.

Successful candidates will evidence similar commitments.

Houghton University is a Christ-centered, liberal arts and sciences institution of The Wesleyan Church, an evangelical
holiness denomination rooted in the teachings of John Wesley. All employees are expected to share a set of values,
convictions, and commitments that guide our life together. The University expects that all faculty and staff will respect
the University’s A Vision of our Common Life, Doctrinal Statement, Wesleyan Beliefs and Core Values, and adhere to its
lifestyle expectations.

Application Procedure:

To apply please submit the following materials via email to: jobs@houghton.edu.
(1) Cover Letter
(2) Resume
(3) 3 References
(4) Answers to the following questions:

Please review the following documents:

https://www.houghton.edu/a-vision-of-our-common-life/
https://www.houghton.edu/doctrinal-statement/
https://www.wesleyan.org/about/our-beliefs

1. Please provide a brief description of your journey to personal faith in Jesus Christ and subsequent growth.
2. Please identify the church where you currently attend. In what ways are you currently participating in your local

church or fellowship?

3. Are there any areas of Houghton’s beliefs or practices that you find challenging or problematic? If yes, please explain.