Social Media Specialist

Title: Social Media Specialist

VP Area: Marketing/Communications

Department: Assoc VP, Marketing/Communications

Work Schedule: Fixed daytime hours Monday-Friday

Telework Availability: Occasional Telework Available

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Employee Classification: Regular full-time (staff 30+ hours)

Hours per week: 40

Months per year: 12

Job Purpose:

The social media specialist is a strategist and expert in using social media channels effectively to support Gonzaga’s branding and the key priorities of Marketing & Communications (supporting enrollment, fundraising, and engagement). The specialist serves as the campus expert, assisting other social managers in executing the best strategies to meet their goals.

 

Essential Functions:

• 40% – Engage constituents on all Gonzaga flagship accounts:
  • The specialist will oversee the creation, scheduling and monitoring of all posts on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X (Twitter), TikTok, YouTube, and other channels that may arise.
  • As supervisor of students who create social content, the specialist will manage projects, connect the work to specific partner or university needs, and review/approve student-created materials prior to publishing.
  • This person will create comprehensive plans for larger campaigns specific to key institutional priorities or opportunities, leveraging specific times of year (March Madness) to inform and engage people in Gonzaga’s brand.
  • Optimize, evaluate outcomes and provide monthly reporting on social performance. – (Essential)

• 20% – Industry Specialist:
  • The specialist will study industry trends and tools, understand emerging trends, and adapt our work to continue improving GU’s standing among other high-performing university social channels. – (Essential)

• 30% – Support campus partners:
  • As the campus expert, the specialist will meet with and strategize with key partners to help them achieve their specific goals on social media.
  • The specialist will also conduct regular audits and ensure campus accounts adhere to GU brand standards and basic best practices. – (Essential)

• 10% – Other functions:
  • As a member of the Story Core team which carries out the MarCom content strategy, the social media specialist may write stories intended for web or print distribution in addition to social channels.
  • Oversee podcast projects and students who assist with production. This includes uploading for campus partners using the MarCom podcast platform. – (Essential)

• Additional Duties as Assigned by the Department

 

Educational Requirement:

Bachelor’s Degree

Years of Related Experience Requirement:

1 year

In lieu of the educational qualifications, candidates may qualify with equivalent professional experience at a ratio of one year of experience for each year of required education.

Certifications and/or Licensures:

 

Skills & Abilities:

• Adobe product expertise
• Two or more years’ experience in position(s) requiring high level social media content development and/or management
• Training and experience utilizing professional photo and video cameras and equipment for creating compelling, engaging images and video for social media and web
• Basic skills with visual design software such as Illustrator and Photoshop
• Demonstrated record of innovative problem solving, and flexible, effective leadership skills
• Ability and experience using a web content management system

Preferred Qualifications:

• Google Ad Words certification,
• Previous experience working in higher education

 

Physical & On-Campus Requirements:

In-Office Presence – Ability to work on-site in typical office setting and participate in in-person meetings with colleagues: 3 days/week

Standing/Sitting – Ability to remain in a stationary position for a prolonged period: Daily (>75% of time)

Walking – Ability to move about on foot to accomplish tasks: Rarely (1%-49% of time)

Lifting/Carrying – Ability to move or transport objects up to a specified weight (e.g., 50 pounds): Rarely (1%-49% of time)

Attention to Detail – Ability to focus on detailed tasks for extended periods: Daily (>75% of time)

Problem-Solving – Ability to identify and resolve issues effectively: Daily (>75% of time)

The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to offer for this position: $24.52 – $25.48 Hr

Pay Range:

Minimum Salary (Non-Exempt): $23.54

Midpoint Salary (Non-Exempt): $29.42

Maximum Salary (Non-Exempt): $35.30

Is this position eligible for relocation reimbursement or a signing bonus?: False