Social Media Specialist

Duke University: Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries. Be You. At Duke, we believe great storytelling builds community, advances knowledge, and elevates impact. As the Social Media Specialist for Trinity College of Arts & Sciences, you’ll bring your creativity, curiosity, and voice to a dynamic academic environment that spans the arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. In this role, you’ll join Trinity Communications as a strategic content creator and collaborator—highlighting the experiences, expertise, and achievements of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and partners. Your work will support undergraduate and graduate recruitment, amplify excellence in research and teaching, and strengthen Trinity’s reputation within Duke and beyond. Be Bold. This role is ideal for a creative communicator who thrives at the intersection of strategy, storytelling, and analytics—and who is excited to shape how a leading academic institution shows up on social media. What You’ll Do: Social Media Strategy & Content Creation Execute and help shape a comprehensive social media strategy aligned with Trinity’s academic mission, institutional priorities, and brand voice. Capture, edit, and produce high-quality short‑form video, photography, graphics, and social‑first content optimized for platforms such as Instagram and LinkedIn. Translate educational, research, and institutional content into engaging, accessible social media storytelling. Design branded templates and visual assets, including Instagram Stories, carousels, and promotional graphics supporting events, academic initiatives, and research activity. Identify and adapt relevant social media trends, formats, and audience behaviors into content opportunities aligned with Trinity’s goals. Engage with audiences, monitor conversations related to Trinity, and identify potential reputational risks. Collaborate with colleagues to adapt content from other platforms and uncover new opportunities for social‑first storytelling. Guide and support student workers in content ideation, production, publishing, and quality control. Reporting & Analytics Lead the collection, analysis, and interpretation of social media analytics to evaluate performance, identify trends, and inform content strategy. Monitor platform updates, algorithm changes, best practices, and emerging opportunities for growth and engagement. Governance & Best Practices Develop and maintain documentation for social media best practices, brand and style guidelines, and content standards. Ensure all content adheres to Duke and Trinity brand standards, including tone, visual identity, and accessibility. Represent Trinity Communications in the university‑wide Social Media Working Group and other professional forums, as assigned. Maintain an inventory of Trinity‑affiliated social media channels, updating records annually or as new channels emerge. Provide strategic and creative social media guidance to Trinity departments and units promoting academic or cross‑departmental initiatives. Other duties as assigned. Choose Duke. Duke University offers a collaborative, mission‑driven environment where creativity is valued and impact is amplified. Trinity College of Arts & Sciences is home to more than 40 academic departments and units, offering a uniquely interdisciplinary setting for storytellers who want their work to matter. Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, English, Communications, or a related discipline—or an equivalent combination of education and experience. At least two years of directly related writing or communications experience. Preferred Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in English, Communications, Journalism, Visual Media, or a related field. Two or more years of experience in social media content production and management; four or more years preferred, including experience in higher education. Demonstrated experience planning, filming, editing, and publishing photo and video content for social media (portfolio or work samples encouraged). Expertise in social media platforms, scheduling tools, and analytics. Strong writing and editing skills with attention to detail and strategic storytelling. Proficiency with tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, CapCut, and other social‑first design platforms. Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and deliver high‑quality work on deadline. Comfort operating in fast‑paced or high‑pressure environments. Proven success collaborating across teams and stakeholders. Ready to Make a Difference? Apply today and help shape how Trinity College of Arts & Sciences tells its story—at Duke and beyond. Anticipated Pay Range: Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $59,829.00 to USD $86,700.00. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: Equal Opportunity Employer: Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy- related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status. Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values. Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and reasonable accommodation(s) can be requested with Duke Access and Accommodations Services (email: View email address on click.appcast.io; phone: View phone number on click.appcast.io).