Social Media Specialist

The Social Media Specialist is responsible for implementing social media strategy and creating compelling content for Pepperdine and the college accounts at the university (i.e. PGBS, GSEP, SPP, CSOL, etc.). He/she will be responsible for engaging the Pepperdine community and public through social media platforms, elevating and strengthening the University brand on social media, and working closely with the entire communications team to provide high quality, compelling, branded content to all of the college social platforms.

The Social Media Specialist will also work closely with the college-level marketing and communications teams (e.g. directors of marketing and communications and content managers/creators) as well as the media production team to identify and create compelling social media content.

Duties

• Content Creation and Engagement - Create content, contribute to the social content calendar, and publish content across all Pepperdine-owned channels including posts, photos, videos, and other branded graphics. Align with public relations and editorial teams to augment and support public relations campaigns and amplify news stories and coverage via social media. Manage and respond to inquiries via social media, providing exceptional customer service and a key brand touchpoint to the public and University community.
• Social Media Strategy Implementation - Draft strategy, coordinate, assess, and report on college-level social media accounts and initiatives. Execute campaigns using current social media techniques and trends to support Integrated Marketing Communications' goals related to advancement, recruitment, brand awareness, community engagement, and national reputation.
• Social Media Systems Administration and Analytics - Serve as an administrator of the college-level social media systems and accounts (through Meltwater). Ensure quality control, brand consistency, and message alignment. Measure, analyze, and report performance across all social channels, assessing performance measures, including channel growth, community size, impressions, engagement, traffic, and conversion.
• Reputation Management - Proactively monitor the Pepperdine brand conversation through social media and other public forums. Serve as a brand ambassador within digital and social communities. Deploy and monitor social media messaging during emergencies and times of crisis.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Uphold University values and mission through work performed.

The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Skills and Qualifications

Required: Bachelor’s degree. 1–3 years of undergraduate academic study or experience in social media management, integrated communications, marketing, advertising, media production, or public relations environment. Demonstrated experience implementing, and measuring enterprise social media strategies across platforms. Superior written and verbal communications skills. Ability to write creative, concise, memorable copy while applying SEO best practices. Ability to execute multi-platform social media strategies. Strong project management skills. Demonstrated experience in successfully working with peers. Demonstrated success at working under tight deadlines. Google Workspace, Social Media Analytics Software.

Preferred: Photography or video production experience. Interest in social media management on behalf of higher education institutions. Social media strategy and measurement. Comprehensive awareness and interest in platform algorithms, social media management tools, new trends, platforms, and technologies for emerging digital, social, and mobile landscapes. Meltwater, Adobe Creative Cloud.

Qualified individuals should be able to articulate a strong commitment to diversity, and have the ability to work effectively with individuals from different backgrounds.

Offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal, education, and employment screening. Qualified individuals with criminal histories will be considered for employment in compliance with applicable laws.

This is a Restricted, Nonexempt, 40 hour per week position.

Expected Pay Range: $25.96 - $28.84 per hour

The above pay range reflects what Pepperdine University reasonably expects to pay for this position at time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on relevant factors such as work experience, market conditions, education/training, and skill level. In addition to base pay, Pepperdine offers a robust and highly competitive benefits package.