What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Director, Social Media & Creative Content (Baseball) position at Vanderbilt University?
The Associate Director, Social Media & Creative Content (Baseball) is a part of the Athletic Communications Team within the Communications and Marketing team at Vanderbilt University, will oversee the social media and content creation focused on Vanderbilt Baseball. This role collaborates closely with team members on the Athletics Communications, Baseball staff and other stakeholders to ensure effective content capture, distribution, and alignment with broader organizational goals and strategies. With a focus on adaptability and innovation, this role is a key player in enhancing the storytelling and engagement across multiple platforms. This position collaborates closely with the Associate Director for Baseball media relations, and internal and external partners.
This role is responsible for the creation and distribution of engaging social media content, tracking issues and monitoring results with a focus on Vanderbilt Baseball. This role requires frequent work during nights and weekends as well as some holidays. This role also does require the ability to report to work in-person on the Vanderbilt University campus, attend games (home and away) and assist with special events.
The Communications and Marketing team at Vanderbilt is a dynamic and deeply collaborative group. The division, with all of its departments and sub-teams, serves as the institution-wide center of excellence for communications and marketing, developing and executing strategies that inform, engage and inspire others to participate in Vanderbilt University’s global academic and research mission. The division is a key strategic adviser and partner for other divisions in the university, providing comprehensive plans and thoughtful analysis on messaging opportunities and constraints. The Communications and Marketing team continuously seeks innovative solutions to new and emerging challenges in order to deliver results at scale to advance the larger mission, values and priorities of the university.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Executes the team’s digital content strategy, including day-to-day operation and management of Vanderbilt University Athletics’ priority social media platforms with a focus on Vanderbilt Baseball.
- Create and develop engaging and relevant content across Vanderbilt Baseball social media accounts.
- Work closely with marketing, visual media, graphic design, brand engagement, and other departments on integrated marketing campaigns, including efforts around fan engagement, brand awareness, advertising, and more; manage relationships with outside partners such as IMG and Fanatics as they pertain to social media.
- Use the latest social media measuring and monitoring tools to analyze data and recommend tactical changes, including overseeing the timely and thorough delivery of reports and metrics as needed.
- Track issues and risks via social media monitoring tools, as well as handling sensitive and/or highly visible issues, requiring a high degree of discretion and sound judgment. Coordinate 24/7/365 social media monitoring and responses, this responsibility rotates on a schedule and may include nights and weekends.
- Stay abreast of emerging social media trends and platforms and make recommendations to leadership to adjust strategies and tactics as appropriate. Communicate effectively about the role social media plays in the larger communications plan for a department, school, university, team, and brand.
- Communicate and collaborate effectively with a wide range of audiences—including faculty, students, leadership, staff, alumni, suppliers, fans, and agencies thinking creatively and pragmatically with a willingness to consider many options, problem solve and take directives as necessary.
- Efficiently and effectively manage multiple, complex, and results-oriented projects with quick turn-around requirements.
- Demonstrate understanding of the university’s mission, values, goals and priorities and an ability to ensure that all are considered in developing communications strategies.
- Demonstrate a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion and the importance of equity as an organizational operating principle.
- Work outside regular business hours as needed to meet project deadlines.
- Travel is required. This position travels regularly with throughout the Vanderbilt Baseball season (including SEC conference, NCAA Tournament, and special events)
- Perform other relevant duties as assigned including assisting with content creation and social media for other sports as needed.
Qualifications
- A bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, marketing or related fields is necessary.
- At least 3 years of experience in social media management, content creation or related field, with a track record of success in online communications is necessary.
- Experience in social media strategy including content planning, content creation, publishing, data reporting, and day-to-day social media management is necessary.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills are necessary.
- Proven expertise in using Adobe Creative Suite for photo and video editing is strongly preferred.
- Basic knowledge of photography and videography is necessary.
- Familiarity with Sony equipment is preferred.
- Experience working with collegiate or professional athletics is preferred.
- Exceptional flexibility and adaptability in rapidly changing environments.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented setting.
- Proven project management skills, particularly in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
- A keen understanding of current trends in social media and content creation.
- Willingness to pivot strategies and tasks to meet evolving team goals.
