Social Media & Community Specialist

About the role

The Social Media & Community Specialist will lead and grow Utah State University’s Online & Digital Learning Technology (ODLT) team’s social presence and digital community. This role is responsible for developing and executing a social media strategy that strengthens brand awareness, drives engagement, and supports enrollment and student success goals.

Responsibilities

• Social Media Strategy & Execution (40%): Develop and execute a comprehensive social media strategy aligned with USU Online’s enrollment and brand goals. Manage and grow USU Online social channels (organic and paid). Create and publish high-performing, platform-native content across channels. Maintain a consistent brand voice tailored to online learners and adult audiences. Align social media efforts with broader content strategy (blog, podcast, YouTube, campaigns). Develop and align publication calendar with wider content marketing strategy, global, community, and University events.
• Community Building & Engagement (25%): Build and nurture a strong digital community that reflects the Aggie spirit in an online environment (MyUSU). Actively engage with prospective and current students through comments, messages, and community initiatives. Develop programs to increase student-generated content, testimonials, and advocacy. Partner with internal teams to elevate student stories and experiences.
• Content Creation & Storytelling (20%): Produce and/or coordinate creation of short-form and long-form social content (video, graphics, copy). Identify and elevate compelling student, faculty, and alumni stories. Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external partners to source content.
• Analytics & Performance Optimization (10%): Track, analyze, and report on social media performance (engagement, reach, conversions, traffic). Optimize content and campaigns based on data and audience insights. Establish reporting cadence and dashboards aligned with key KPIs.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration (5%): Partner with University Marketing & Communications (UMAC) to align with institutional brand and campaigns. Collaborate with Enrollment, Student Success, and Academic units to support recruitment and retention initiatives. Support integrated marketing campaigns and key university initiatives.

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, or related field, or equivalent experience. Three years of experience managing social media accounts for a brand or organization. Demonstrated ability to create engaging, high-performing social content. In-depth knowledge of Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn. Experience with social media management and analytics tools. Strong writing, communication, and organizational skills.
• Preferred Qualifications: Experience in higher education, online education, or mission-driven organizations. Experience building and managing online communities. Knowledge of paid social media strategy and campaign support. Experience with video production and editing for social platforms. Familiarity with CRM and marketing automation tools (e.g., Salesforce).