Social Media Manager

General Description The Social Media Manager leads the strategy, planning, creation, publishing, governance, and performance of Pitzer College’s social media presence. This role is responsible for growing awareness of the College, increasing engagement among key audiences, amplifying institutional storytelling, and supporting admissions, advancement, and community engagement goals through social media. Working closely with writers, designers, photographers, videographers, and campus partners, the Social Media Manager develops and executes a comprehensive social media strategy that reflects Pitzer’s values, voice, and distinctive student experience. The successful candidate is equal parts strategist, storyteller, community builder, content creator, and institutional advisor. Social Media Strategy & Planning Develop and execute an annual social media strategy aligned with institutional priorities and campaign goals. Manage Pitzer College’s official social media presence across all primary and emerging platforms. Build and maintain an integrated social media content calendar aligned with admissions, advancement, academic, and campus priorities. Recommend platform-specific approaches and content formats based on audience behavior, analytics, and industry trends. Content Creation & Storytelling Create, capture, edit, and publish compelling multimedia content. Collaborate with writers, designers, photographers, and videographers to adapt institutional stories for social media. Identify and develop authentic student, faculty, staff, alumni, and donor stories. Audience Engagement & Community Management Monitor and manage institutional social channels daily. Engage thoughtfully with audiences while maintaining brand standards and professional judgment. Escalate sensitive or high-profile concerns to appropriate campus partners. Student Content Creator Program Recruit, train, and manage student content creators and ambassadors. Develop content assignments, coverage plans, and storytelling opportunities. Review, curate, and publish student-generated content. Social Listening, Reputation Monitoring & Issue Escalation Monitor conversations, mentions, hashtags, comments, direct messages, and emerging discussions related to Pitzer College. Track audience sentiment and identify emerging opportunities, concerns, trends, and risks. Utilize social listening tools to provide insights on brand perception and audience interests. Identify and elevate reputational issues, misinformation, or high-profile concerns. Provide regular reports regarding audience sentiment and emerging conversations. Collaborate with communications leadership during crisis communications and sensitive issues. Develop and maintain response protocols, moderation guidelines, and escalation procedures. Campus Social Media Network Leadership Serve as the College’s primary resource for social media best practices and platform guidance. Maintain an inventory of official social media accounts and administrators. Lead a campus-wide social media network of faculty and staff responsible for departmental accounts. Facilitate workshops, office hours, and training opportunities. Consult with campus partners on social media strategy and content planning. Review requests for new institutional accounts and recommend channel strategies. Develop resources, templates, and toolkits for campus partners. Monitor affiliated accounts and provide coaching and recommendations. Promote accessibility, visual identity, messaging consistency, and effective storytelling across the College’s social ecosystem. Analytics & Performance Monitor platform analytics and campaign performance. Develop reports highlighting reach, engagement, audience growth, video performance, traffic, and campaign outcomes. Use data and insights to improve strategy and performance. Required Knowledge, Skills And Abilities Strategic Thinking Storytelling Content Creation Audience Engagement Collaboration Data-Informed Decision Making Adaptability Judgment & Risk Awareness Influence & Relationship Building Strong leadership and collaboration skills with a commitment to a team-based work environment. Natural aptitude for technology and expertise with MS Office, including expert level use of Excel. Ability to problem-solve and use analytical skills to develop and implement creative solutions. Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills and attention to detail. Ability to take initiative to work proactively, meet deadlines, organize and prioritize multiple projects, think strategically, and work with numbers and data. Exhibit personal integrity and ability to appropriately handle confidential and sensitive information. Exhibit a positive attitude, strong work ethic, and sound professional judgment. Experience / Education Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, journalism, digital media, or related field. Three to five years of professional experience managing social media for a brand, organization, agency, media outlet, or higher education institution. Demonstrated experience creating and executing social media strategies. Strong writing, editing, visual storytelling, and project management skills. Preferred Qualifications Experience in higher education, nonprofit, or mission-driven organizations. Experience managing student employees, interns, ambassadors, or contributors. Experience with social listening and reputation monitoring platforms. Experience supporting issues management, crisis communications, or online community moderation. Knowledge of accessibility best practices for social media content. Licenses / Certifications Must have a valid driver’s license and a driving record acceptable to the College’s insurer. Time Type Full‑Time Work Schedule This is a regular, non‑exempt, staff position, working 12 months per year. The regular schedule for this position is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hours may vary depending on the operational needs of the College or department, including evenings and weekends as required. Work Model Hybrid (2 Days/Wk Remote) Must have access to reliable and secure computer and internet connection. Must have access to a dedicated and suitable workstation at remote location, including desk or table and supporting, upright chair. Must ensure workstation is safe and free from hazards and ergonomically appropriate. Compensation Budgeted Salary Range: $72,000-$75,000 per year Pitzer College is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, tuition exchange program participation and more. Physical Requirements This is generally a sedentary position. Must be able to sit for prolonged periods of time and operate a computer for prolonged periods of time. Must have the ability to drive locally for events and appointments. Employment Requirements Employment is contingent upon a candidate possessing the knowledge, skills and abilities to be able to successfully perform the essential duties of the position, or be able to explain or demonstrate how the essential functions will be performed, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities. Employment is also contingent upon new employees providing documents verifying U.S. citizenship or, for aliens, documents verifying legal permission to work in the United States. For positions requiring the use of a college-owned vehicle, employment is contingent upon a driving record acceptable to the colleges’ automobile liability insurance. Final candidates in all staff positions will be required to undergo a background investigation; in addition some positions may require a physical lift test and pulmonary function test. Covid-19 Vaccination Pitzer College has mandated the COVID-19 vaccination for all employees. New employees are required to show proof of full vaccination, including booster, against COVID-19 or request a Pitzer College approved medical or religious exemption on or before their first day of employment. Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Pitzer College adheres to both the letter and the spirit of Equal Employment opportunity and affirmative action. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, disability, medical condition, or veteran status, in the administration of its admission policies, educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic and other College-administered programs, and employment policies. Pitzer strongly encourages candidates from underrepresented groups to apply. #J-18808-Ljbffr