The Senior Lead, Football Social Media is part of the social media team within Communications and Marketing at Vanderbilt University and is responsible for football-related social media content creation across the institution's social media platforms and building the football team's audiences via social media. This position creates, edits, produces and posts content in accordance with the university's strategic and communications plans, and in coordination with current branding and marketing initiatives. This includes proactively building relationships with the Division of Athletics and collaborating with peers throughout Communications and Marketing.

This position works closely with the Director, Football Communications and the Vanderbilt football staff and will directly oversee all social media content originating from the Vanderbilt football program.

Reporting directly to the Senior Social Media Specialist, Athletics, on the university's Strategic Communications team, this position does not have supervisory responsibility. This role requires frequent work during nights and weekends as well as some holidays. This role also requires the ability to report to work in-person on the Vanderbilt University campus frequently and regularly.

The Strategic Communications team designs and executes integrated communications strategies to protect and enhance Vanderbilt's local, national and international reputation, and positions the university as one of the world's leading academic research institutions through the distribution of compelling content across a variety of digital and traditional channels.

The Communications and Marketing team is a dynamic and collaborative group that develops and executes strategies that inform, engage and inspire others to participate in Vanderbilt University's global academic and research mission.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage the social media efforts for Vanderbilt University's primary football accounts, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media platforms, including writing copy and posting to the social media accounts, creating digital media assets, researching content, and more
• Under the guidance of the Senior Social Media Specialist, Athletics, implement marketing and social media campaigns and strategies, including budget planning, content ideation, ad creation, content calendars and analysis
• Grow and expand the team's social media presence into new and emerging social media platforms, and increase its presence on existing platforms including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
• Provide timely responses to comments, direct messages, mentions and relevant keywords on social media platforms
• Monitor, measure and report on social media content performance, engagement and benchmarks; analyze, review and report on effectiveness of campaigns in an effort to maximize results; closely monitor potential issues and create reports for senior leadership; make channel- and content-strategy implementation recommendations based on data
• Oversee and manage all creative workflow including photo, video, graphics and others by collaborating with the Visual Media Manager and Director of Creative Strategy and Marketing Solutions.
• Manage and facilitate content capture and distribution to student-athletes, coaches, and staff
• Assist the Commodore football team with overall brand and voice of the program by working closely with Director, Football Communications; Recruiting Coordinator; Director, Football Operations; Chief of Staff; General Manager and others
• Assist Senior Social Media Specialist, Athletics with flagship social media account management as it relates directly to the football-related content and activations
• Occasionally assist the social media and athletic communications team with non-football game day operations and social media management
• Coordinate communication plans with other VU areas, including Athletics Marketing and Communications; Development and Alumni Relations; schools, departments and others including student organizations and groups as related to the football program
• Research emerging social media platforms and trends while providing oversight and recommendations for best practices
• Manage social media-centered contests and giveaways that aim to improve our engagement with our core audiences
• Work closely with members of the Athletics Marketing and Communications, Athletics Communications and others on influencer engagement
• Provide overall support as needed and assigned for department priorities
• Demonstrate understanding of the university's mission, values, goals and priorities and an ability to ensure that all are considered in developing communications strategies and social media tactics
• Communicate and collaborate effectively with a wide range of audiences--including coaches, students, leadership, staff, alumni and vendors
• Efficiently and effectively manage multiple, complex and results-oriented projects with both quick turn-around requirements and long lead times
• Adhere to confidentiality and business ethics; demonstrate outstanding judgment and discretion
• Work outside regular business hours as needed in order to perform job responsibilities
• Perform other relevant duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Candidates must have a bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, marketing or related field.
• At least 2-4 years of experience in communications, public relations, marketing, social media management or related field, with a track record of success in online communications, is required.
• Experience working with football or college athletics is required.
• Experience in the following is required : social media native platforms; social media advertising tools; social media listening tools such as Salesforce or Sprout Social; editorial calendar tools; Adobe Suite.
• Travel to football games and other football related events (NFL Draft, etc.) is required . (<15%)
• Video creation and editing skills are preferred, although not required.
• Graphic design skills are preferred, although not required.
• Must demonstrate excellence in the following areas: news judgment, written communications skills, social media marketing and advertising best practices, and a sense of what is appropriate for the brand.
• The ideal candidate must have a finger on the pulse of social media trends, platforms, advertising and outcomes.
• An ability to demonstrate and communicate about the role social media plays in the larger communications plan for a department, school, university and brand is required.
• Creative thinking and flexibility with a willingness to consider many options, problem solve and take directives is necessary.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.

Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.

Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.