Job Description

The Social Media Specialist is part of the Strategic Communications team within the Communications and Marketing team at Vanderbilt University and is responsible for planning and distribution across the institution's priority social media platforms, and building the university's audiences via social media. This position creates, edits and produces content in accordance with the university's strategic and communications plans, and in coordination with current branding and marketing initiatives. This position works closely with other members of the Communications and Marketing team, including Visual Media, Communications Strategy, Athletics Communications, Marketing and Issues Management. Reporting directly to the Director of Social Media, this position does not have supervisory responsibility. This role also does require the ability to report to work in-person on the Vanderbilt University campus, according to the needs of the Director of Social Media.

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. The Strategic Communications team specifically 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.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Contribute to social media efforts for Vanderbilt University's primary accounts, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok and other social media platforms, including writing copy and posting to the social media accounts, creating and editing digital media assets including video, researching content, managing a content calendar and more.
• 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, sentiment 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.
• Manage social media-centered contests and giveaways that aim to improve our engagement with our core audiences.
• Under the guidance of the Director of Social Media, implement marketing and social media campaigns and strategies, including budget planning, content ideation, ad creation, schedules and analysis.
• Grow and expand the university's social media presence into new social media platforms, and increase its presence on existing platforms. Research emerging social media platforms and trends while providing oversight and recommendations for best practices.
• 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.
• Keep a finger on the pulse of social media trends, platforms, advertising and outcomes.
• Coordinate communication plans with other Vanderbilt areas, including Admissions, Athletics, Development and Alumni Relations, schools, departments and others.
• Work closely with members of Communications and Marketing 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.
• 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, including being officially on-call.
• Think creatively and pragmatically with a willingness to consider many options, problem solve and take directives as necessary.
• Demonstrate a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion and the importance of equity as an organizational operating principle.
• Communicate and collaborate effectively with a wide range of audiences--including students, faculty, coaches, staff, families, leadership, alumni, donors and vendors.
• Demonstrate a high level of comfort with native social media platforms, third party social media software and digital-first communications.
• Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, marketing or related field is required .
• At least three years of experience in communications, public relations, marketing, social media brand management or related field, with a track record of success in digital communications, is required.
• Experience in the following is required : social media native platforms; social media advertising; social media listening tools such as Salesforce or Sprout Social; editorial calendar tools; Adobe Suite.
• 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 .
• Video editing and graphic design skills are strongly preferred .

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.