Social Media Manager - job 1 of 2

Overview

The Social Media Manager (Marketer II) develops, executes, and measures integrated, multichannel social media marketing campaigns that support Utah State University’s alumni engagement activities and fundraising efforts. The position is responsible for managing the USU Office of Advancement and Alumni Engagement social media presence and digital marketing initiatives — including creating and executing a paid advertising strategy with SEO integration — while maximizing visibility and audience engagement, and continuously measuring, reporting, and improving performance.

 

This is a highly visible and incredibly significant role. The person in this position will need to be able to create original content, including photo and video, for both organic and paid distribution that demonstrates a strong ROI. This role requires the creativity to produce engaging content, as well as the ability to think strategically, analyze, and act on insights from social media and paid digital marketing performance.

 

To be successful in this role, the Social Media Manager must ensure that social media and digital marketing messaging is on strategy — building affinity for Utah State University and the Alumni Association, deepening our relationship with our audience, reaching users in meaningful and engaging ways, and creating a pathway to giving. The manager must also be able to effectively articulate the purpose and intended outcome behind social media campaigns.

 

The ideal candidate should possess a mix of multimedia content creation expertise and analytical skills, enjoy bringing new ideas to the table, have a creative eye, be up to date on social and digital trends, and thrive in a collaborative environment. From producing dynamic social stories and creating original video and photographic content, to writing engaging posts for Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Linkedin, we're looking for someone who is experienced with placing the right content on the appropriate channels, keeping it organized and making it sing.

 

The person in this position will be required to attend, and travel to, Advancement and Alumni functions outside of normal working hours to photograph and/or video events for documentation and sharing on social media.  This position will also have the opportunity to hire and manage a part-time student worker with the title of Visual Content Creator.

Responsibilities

Creative:

• Create, edit, publish, and share daily content — with high standards for originality and creativity (original text, images, video) — that builds meaningful connections and encourages community members to engage and give.
• Independently write, edit, and proof all social media copy for accuracy, clarity, and grammar.
• Own, develop, and execute an integrated social media and paid digital marketing strategy that fosters community growth and engagement, with a critical eye and understanding of the brand, vision, and strategic priorities.
• Pitch innovative content strategies relevant to each platform.
• Drive critical new thinking behind creative content and channel utilization, focusing on how social audiences consume branded content.
• Coordinate with the Senior Graphic Designer on social media artwork and illustrations.
• Provide photo and/or video coverage at annual and special Advancement and Alumni events.

 

Organization and planning:

• Build and maintain a social media and paid digital marketing content calendar and optimal posting schedule — taking engagement metrics into consideration — and implement content marketing plans that drive audience engagement and giving.
• Manage a digital marketing budget, clearly outlining recommendations on timing and creative.
• Work collaboratively with Advancement and Alumni team to create specialized social media and paid digital marketing campaigns.
• Collaborate with partners across the university to build strategy aimed at maximizing the reach of our content and channels to engage alumni, donors, prospects, and other constituents, and drive engagement and fundraising efforts.
• Constantly monitor, moderate, and interact with our social media communities by responding appropriately and quickly to user-generated content.
• Embrace and develop a broad understanding of social media best practices and industry trends to continually evolve the social media and paid digital marketing strategies to remain forward-thinking and position USU Office of Advancement and Alumni Engagement as a leader among institutional peers and industry leaders.
• Continuously audit social media channels; identify current competencies and areas of growth and opportunity.
• Opportunity to hire and manage a part-time student worker with the title of Visual Content Creator.

 

Analytics:

• Establish metrics and goals for tracking social media and paid digital marketing reach and impact; report on insights on a monthly, quarterly, and as needed basis; ensure content is optimized to build engagement; and broaden reach of our social media and paid digital marketing efforts, making sure they continue to align with advancement priorities.
• Identify new opportunities for paid social boosts, search advertising, and traffic-driving campaigns, and analyze post performance for both success and opportunities.
• Implement performance-driven strategies in order to increase followers, engagement, and traffic.
• Ensure all posts have appropriate SEO and link tracking to optimize and analyze performance.
• Expand overall presence by executing and benchmarking digital word-of-mouth programs and strategic influencer partnerships.
• Monitor, forecast, and make recommendations on digital trends, best practices, and emerging technologies.
• Continuously improve by capturing and analyzing the appropriate social media and paid digital marketing data/metrics, insights and best practices, and act on the information.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Two years in a professional social media and paid digital marketing role — with experience creating original content, developing and executing social media and paid digital marketing strategies, and using social analytics tools.
• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, public relations, English or related field, or an equivalent combination of education plus experience is required.
• Experience in social media strategy and content creation and management.
• Must have professional experience interacting with constituents online, building brand presence, and understanding content that engages and builds affinity.
• Experience using social media measurement tools and presenting metrics.
• Experience developing and executing paid social media and digital marketing strategies.
• Must be able to attend, and travel to, Advancement and Alumni functions outside of normal working hours, including weekends and evenings. 

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience using social media to drive non-profit and philanthropic/giving strategies preferred.
• Additional experience in Google search and display advertising preferred. Google certification a plus.
• Possess a mix of multimedia content creation expertise and analytical skills.
• Enjoy bringing new ideas to the table.
• Have a creative eye.
• Be up to date on social and digital trends.
• Thrive in a collaborative environment.
• Experience placing the right content on the appropriate channels, keeping it organized and making it sing.

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

 

• Know the nuances of each social platform and the appropriate content and presentation method on each channel.
• Strong analytical skills in interpreting and translating metrics, and ability to act on findings.
• Knowledge and experience with SEO best practices, up to date on current trends, and able to grasp and act on future trends.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, and the ability to handle multiple tasks.
• Comfortable working in a highly collaborative environment with shared project/program ownership.
• Proactive, innovative, and creative thinker.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• High standard of excellence regarding social media visuals and copy, accuracy, and attention to details.
• Exceptional time- and project-management skills.
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite, video editing, and photography.

Required Documents

Along with the online application, please attach:

Resume/CV to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV"

Three professional samples of high-performing social media posts/campaigns, with outcomes, for other brands/clients, to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in theCandidate Profile under “Documents 1-10"

Name and contact information for 3 professional references to be entered into Candidate Profile

Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application. The cover letter should clearly outlining how skills and experience match the role.

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Advertised Salary

Commensurate with experience, plus excellent benefits

ADA

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes. The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.

College/Department Highlights

The Division of Advancement is a welcoming office where inclusiveness and teamwork are highly valued. Advancement staff are engaged in the meaningful work of securing private financial resources to fuel Utah State University's mission by creating gratifying gift and engagement experiences for USU's generous and passionate alumni and friends. Comprising the division are the office of the Vice President, the USU Foundation & Board, Advancement Services, the Alumni Association (Alumni Engagement), Gift Planning, Corporations and Foundations, Strategic Communications, Stewardship and Donor Engagement, the Annual Fund and ACE (Alumni Center for Engagement). Furthermore, the division coordinates all fundraising efforts across campus, including colleges, various programs, extension campuses, and USU Athletics. Through the collaboration of these units, the Division of Advancement is able to achieve significant annual fundraising goals by inspiring stakeholders to invest their time and resources in Utah State University. 

University Highlights

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local, regional, and global communities. USU prepares students to be active, civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education, USU remains a leader in research, discovery, and public impact.

 

USU enrolls 28,900 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU Online educates students from all 50 states and 55 countries. For over 25 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns in all of Utah’s counties.

 

Competing at the NCAA Division I level, USU is a proud member of the Mountain West Conference and will join the Pac-12 Conference beginning in the 2026-2027 season. The Aggies’ long-standing tradition of athletic and academic excellence is exemplified by conference championships in multiple sports, reflecting USU's commitment to perseverance and achievement.

 

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU. 

 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu. 

 

*updated 02/2025

Notice of Non-discrimination

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

 

Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, discrimination@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266

Title IX Coordinator Cody Carmichael, titleix@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266

Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov

*updated 09/2023