Social Media Specialist

Social Media SpecialistHaverford College invites applications for our full-time (37.5 hours per week), exempt, benefits-eligible Social Media Specialist opportunity.Total CompensationSalary: Salary range begins at $57,900Benefits: The College offers a comprehensive benefits program that includes possible work-from-home opportunities, automatic 10% retirement contribution to your retirement account upon eligibility (no match required), a 50% tuition benefit for dependent children upon eligibility, 14 paid holidays (including the week before New Year's Day), affordable medical plans, Health Savings Account contribution of $700 for individuals and $1400 for families (no match required, available to employees enrolled in the High Deductible Health Plan), and a beautiful arboretum campus with walking trail and easy public transportation access. Please visit the Benefits page for more information.Work Location: This position will be eligible for a hybrid work schedule, pursuant to the College's Work Location Policy.About the Position The Social Media Specialist (SMS) is a hands-on content creator and channel manager responsible for leading the day-to-day management of the College's institutional social media presence.The SMS is responsible for developing platform-specific approaches, creating compelling content, managing the social media editorial calendar (in partnership with the Editorial Director), monitoring and analyzing performance, and supporting effective social media best practices across the College. The SMS also monitors the College's social media channels to help identify emerging issues and opportunities.Working within the College's Marketing and Communications team, the SMS collaborates with colleagues and campus partners to identify story ideas, coordinate content, engage audiences, and strengthen Haverford's voice and presence in the digital space.Primary ResponsibilitiesContent Creation and Channel Management (60%)Manage the day-to-day operation of Haverford College's institutional social media accounts, including scheduling, publishing, monitoring, and community engagementCreate engaging, audience-centered content that brings Haverford's people, academic experience, programs, values, and community to lifeProduce social-first content across formats, including short-form video, photography, graphics, written copy, stories, reels, and emerging formatsWrite and edit compelling social copy that reflects Haverford's institutional voice while adapting appropriately to individual platforms and audiencesProactively identify stories, voices, events, and moments from across campus and translate them into relevant social contentAttend and cover College events, programs, and campus activities as appropriate, including occasional evening and weekend assignmentsCollaborate with the Marketing and Communications team and other campus partners to develop high-quality multimedia contentCultivate engagement with Haverford's social media audiences by identifying opportunities to participate in relevant conversations and build meaningful interactions around College-produced contentManage routine community engagement on institutional channels, responding to or routing questions and comments as appropriateEnsure social content reflects Haverford's brand standards and commitment to accessibility and inclusive communicationsEditorial Planning and Platform Strategy (20%)In partnership with the Editorial Director, manage an integrated social media editorial calendar that balances College priorities, campus storytelling, audience interests, and timely opportunitiesRecommend platform-specific approaches based on audience needs, content performance, platform capabilities, and emerging trendsTranslate College communications priorities and content strategy into platform-specific social media plans, goals, and approaches, in partnership with communications leadershipRecommend opportunities to strengthen, evolve, or adjust Haverford's presence on individual social platformsCoordinate social content with broader College communications and marketing campaigns, initiatives, events, and announcementsStay current on changes in social platforms, algorithms, audience behaviors, content trends, and higher education social media practices and recommend appropriate adjustmentsMeasurement, Insights, and Optimization (10%)Track and evaluate social media performance using platform analytics, social media management tools, and other available data sourcesShare regular insights with Marketing and Communications colleagues to help inform editorial planning and content developmentEstablish and maintain practical KPIs and benchmarks for institutional social channels and campaigns in consultation with communications leadershipMonitor measures such as engagement, reach, audience growth, video performance, referral traffic, and other indicators appropriate to College communications goalsAnalyze performance across platforms, campaigns, and content types to understand what is resonating with priority audiencesPrepare regular social media performance reports that identify key results, trends, successes, and opportunities for improvementTranslate analytics into actionable recommendations for content, publishing practices, platform strategy, and future campaignsCollaborate with marketing and communications colleagues to test new content formats, publishing approaches, and creative concepts and use results to inform future workMonitoring (5%)Use social listening and audience insights, when available, to identify emerging trends, conversations, and opportunities relevant to the CollegeMonitor institutional social channels and relevant online conversations for emerging issues, reputational concerns, misinformation, significant community sentiment, and other matters that may require attentionRecognize and promptly escalate sensitive, high-visibility, or potentially significant issues to communications leadershipSocial Media Best Practices and Campus Collaboration (5%)Help implement and reinforce the College's established social media policy, standards, and best practicesMaintain an inventory of official and affiliated Haverford College social media accounts, including account ownership and administrative access informationSupport sound account security and continuity practices, including appropriate administrative access, credential management, and adherence to College security protocolsServe as a resource for departments, programs, and offices managing College-affiliated social media accounts, providing practical guidance on content, platform practices, accessibility, brand standards, and account managementBuild relationships with social media contributors across campus to improve coordination, surface content opportunities, and encourage adoption of College social media best practicesIdentify opportunities to engage students and other members of the Haverford community as content contributors and authentic voices in the College's social storytellingLine of Report: The Social Media Specialist reports to the Editorial Director and has no direct reports but manages up to three student workers who provide content for social media.Minimum QualificationsOne of the following:Bachelor's degree and two (2) years of relevant professional experience in social media, digital communications, content marketing, or a related field, ORSix (6) years of relevant professional experience in social media, digital communications, content marketing, or a related fieldProfessional CompetenciesDemonstrated experience managing social media channels for an organization, institution, brand, or comparable entityStrong working knowledge of major social media platforms, their audiences, content formats, conventions, analytics, and evolving best practices; including content optimizationExcellent storytelling skills; demonstrated ability to create engaging visual and multimedia social content, particularly photography and short-form videoExperience developing and managing editorial calendars and coordinating multiple content prioritiesExperience using social media analytics to assess performance and inform content decisionsExperience with Canva, Instagram edits, CapCut, in-app editing, and comparable creative toolsStrong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and adapt to changing prioritiesStrong interpersonal and collaboration skills and the ability to build productive relationships with colleagues and partners across an organizationSound editorial judgment, discretion, and the ability to recognize when a social media interaction or emerging issue requires escalationAbility to work occasional evenings and weekends to support significant College events and activitiesPreferred QualificationsExperience in higher education, nonprofit, or other mission-driven communicationsExperience with social media management, listening, analytics, and reporting toolsExperience contributing to social media governance, account management standards, or organizational social media guidelinesExperience in Adobe Creative CloudKnowledge of digital accessibility and inclusive content practices