Social Media Specialist

by | Jun 3, 2025

Oregon State University's school logo consists of an orange/brown background with a white beaver on top of a black shield-looking object with a sun, tree, open book, stars, and mountains that have the numbers 1868 on them.

Website OregonState Oregon State University

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by June 18, 2025. Applications will continue to be accepted after the full consideration date, until a sufficient applicant pool has been achieved or the position is filled. The closing date is subject to change without notice to applicants.

When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents:

1) A resume/CV;
2) A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position; and

3) A document with a link to your portfolio or website featuring work samples.

You will also be required to submit the names of at least three professional references, their e-mail addresses and telephone numbers as part of the application process.
For additional information please contact:
Lisa McMahan
[email protected]
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status.
OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.

OSU is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from candidates who bring a wide range of lived experience including involvement with the justice system. This job has “critical or security-sensitive” responsibilities. If you are selected as a finalist, your initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job-related pre-employment check (such as a background check, motor vehicle history check, sexual misconduct reference check, etc.). Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate. Take a look at our Background Checks website including the for candidates section for more details. If you have questions or concerns about the pre-employment check, please contact OSU’s Employee and Labor Relations team at [email protected].

Position Details

Position Information

 

Department
University Marketing (NIA)
Position Title
Specialist 2-Mktg & Outreach
Job Title
Social Media Specialist
Appointment Type
Professional Faculty
Job Location
Corvallis
Benefits Eligible
Full-Time, benefits eligible
Remote or Hybrid option?
Yes
Job Summary
University Relations and Marketing is seeking a Social Media Specialist. This is a full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month, professional faculty position.

The Social Media Specialist is responsible for developing, implementing and measuring strategies that support OSU across its brand channels.

With specialized professional skills and experience, the Social Media Specialist will work closely with individuals and teams across colleges and units to design and deploy organic and paid social media campaigns. The specialist will be responsible for content creation, community management and analyzing and optimizing OSU’s social media performance. The specialist will also work closely with other members of the social media team and colleagues across University Relations and Marketing (URM). The specialist is required to work independently and after hours to protect the OSU reputation during social crises and provide the public with pertinent updates via communications channels including social.

Oregon State University maintains and enhances a collaborative and inclusive community that is dedicated to equity and equal opportunity. This position is responsible for ensuring these commitments are achieved by supporting diverse, equitable, socially just, and inclusive digital marketing materials.

Why OSU?
Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job!

Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We don’t wait for challenges to present themselves — we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all.

FACTS:

  • Top 1.4% university in the world
  • More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined
  • 1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S.
  • 2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties
  • 7 cultural resource centers that offer education, celebration and belonging for everyone
  • 100+ undergraduate degree programs, 80+ graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates
  • 35k+ students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color
  • 217k+ alumni worldwide
  • For more interesting facts about OSU visit: https://oregonstate.edu/about

Locations:

Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport.

Oregon State’s beautiful, historic and state-of-the-art main campus is located in one of America’s best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine country. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances.

Total Rewards Package:

Oregon State University offers a comprehensive benefits package with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including:

  • Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents.

• Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources.

  • Retirement savings paid by the university.
  • A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave.
  • Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities.
  • Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program.
  • Optional lifestyle benefits such as pet, accident, and critical illness insurance, giving you peace of mind and the support you need to thrive in all aspects of your life.

Future and current OSU employees can use the Benefits Calculator to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU.

Key Responsibilities
30% Content Creation
  • Leads the development and execution of high-quality, engaging content tailored for various social media audiences via platforms including Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, X (formerly Twitter) and Bluesky.
  • Crafts messaging for OSU social media channels with an understanding of differing channel capabilities and audiences. Copy should be in adherence with OSU style/brand guidelines.
  • Collaborates with internal stakeholders to highlight university events, achievements and initiatives in accordance with the university’s strategic plan.
  • Creates and edits multimedia content, including photos, videos and graphics.
  • Plans, posts and schedules content through OSU’s social media management platform with an understanding of each social platform’s functionalities, capabilities and limitations.
  • Acts as an expert for the university on best practices and social media trends to keep OSU’s content fresh and relevant.
  • Oversees an editorial calendar for the social media team.
20% Community Management
  • Monitors and engages with users across social media platforms, responding to comments, messages and tags/mentions in a timely and professional manner.
  • Fosters meaningful interactions that enhance and protect the university’s reputation and build a strong sense of community.
  • Proactively identifies and addresses potential issues or crises, escalating concerns to the appropriate teams when necessary.
  • Tracks sentiment and feedback from the community to inform content strategy and engagement tactics.
20% Measuring Success
  • Analyzes data and reporting to assess key performance metrics across social media platforms.
  • Designs and manages monthly and campaign-based reports to assess the effectiveness of content strategies and inform recommendations going forward.
  • Directs internal stakeholders on findings and recommendations, highlighting successes and areas for improvement.
  • Acts as an expert for the university on current trends, staying up to date with industry benchmarks and best practices to ensure reporting aligns with current trends.
20% Paid Social Marketing Management
  • Designs, implements and assesses paid social media campaigns and programs. Ensures all paid social efforts, including promoted social content and brand campaigns, are well integrated with organic and earned strategies.
  • Ensures compliance with university brand standards, policies and best practices.
  • Provides creative and technical feedback to ensure highest campaign resonance and usability across platforms.
  • Researches, analyzes and shares insights on campaign impact, competitor programs and emerging industry trends. Continually updates skills and knowledge to inform future digital marketing strategies.
  • Develops and activates action plans resulting from paid digital analytics. Provides contextual analysis — including industry benchmarks and recommendations — to refine future paid initiatives.
10% Other duties as assigned
What You Will Need
Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Journalism or related field.
At least two years of professional experience leading or supporting the development, implementation, management and measurement of a brand’s social media marketing strategies and tactics.
Commitment to contribute to a collaborative and inclusive work environment
Experience working with social media tools including:
  • Social media management and analytics platforms
  • Paid social media management tools
  • Content management systems (CMS)
  • Reporting tools
  • Emerging social media marketing tools and technologies
Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
A proven track record of creative and innovative work.
This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.
What We Would Like You to Have
Master’s degree, certificate or demonstrated commitment to continuing education in social media marketing, digital marketing, communications, or a related field.
Experience with photography and/or videography.
Understanding of or experience with Adobe Creative Suite software or other design tools.
Written and oral second language proficiency.
Marketing experience in a university or academic setting.
Demonstrated success collaborating and interacting with colleagues to:
  • Excel in a dynamic, collaborative environment; meet frequent deadlines; balance multiple projects and add value to a high-performing team.
  • Identify needs/concerns of others, determine potential solutions, resolve or redirect appropriately.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with key contacts to enhance communications, workflow and work quality.
  • Exchange detailed information or resolve varied problems.
  • Resolve conflict, negotiate or collaborate on major projects.
  • Persuade, gain cooperation and acceptance of ideas or collaborate on significant projects.
  • Handle sensitive issues and facilitate collaboration at the highest level.
Working Conditions / Work Schedule
Hybrid
Pay Method
Salary
Pay Period
1st through the last day of the month
Pay Date
Last working day of the month
Recommended Full-Time Salary Range
$56,179-$95,594
Link to Position Description
https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/position_descriptions/168290
Posting Detail Information

 

Posting Number
P09120UF
Number of Vacancies
1
Anticipated Appointment Begin Date
07/07/2025
Anticipated Appointment End Date
Posting Date
05/20/2025
Full Consideration Date
06/18/2025
Closing Date
09/16/2025
Indicate how you intend to recruit for this search
Competitive / External – open to ALL qualified applicants
Special Instructions to Applicants
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by June 18, 2025. Applications will continue to be accepted after the full consideration date, until a sufficient applicant pool has been achieved or the position is filled. The closing date is subject to change without notice to applicants.

When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents:

1) A resume/CV;
2) A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position; and

3) A document with a link to your portfolio or website featuring work samples.

You will also be required to submit the names of at least three professional references, their e-mail addresses and telephone numbers as part of the application process.
For additional information please contact:
Lisa McMahan
[email protected]
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status.
OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.

OSU is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from candidates who bring a wide range of lived experience including involvement with the justice system. This job has “critical or security-sensitive” responsibilities. If you are selected as a finalist, your initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job-related pre-employment check (such as a background check, motor vehicle history check, sexual misconduct reference check, etc.). Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate. Take a look at our Background Checks website including the for candidates section for more details. If you have questions or concerns about the pre-employment check, please contact OSU’s Employee and Labor Relations team at [email protected].

To apply for this job please visit jobs.oregonstate.edu.