Social Media/Digital Content Specialist

About the Job

The Social Media and Digital Content Specialist brings the University of Minnesota Morris experience to life through compelling social media storytelling. This position creates photography, video, and written content that helps prospective students and families discover Morris while strengthening connections with current students, alumni, and the broader community.

A visible and engaged presence on campus, the Social Media and Digital Content Specialist builds relationships with students, faculty, and staff; seeks out stories; and captures the people, ideas, and experiences that distinguish Morris. The role combines hands-on content production with social media planning, audience engagement, performance analysis, and coordination of the campus events calendar.

The specialist works with the Office of Communications and Marketing team members to help support and implement a coordinated social media approach that supports enrollment, campus engagement, and institutional reputation. The position calls for creativity, curiosity, and comfort initiating conversations and conducting informal interviews to showcase the University.

Location and Work environment: This position is based on the Morris campus and requires regular in-person interaction and event coverage. Some evening/weekend work is required. Coverage priorities and corresponding schedule adjustments will be coordinated with the supervisor in accordance with University policies and the position's employment classification.

This is a short-term position with a 3 year appointment with an expected end date of June 30, 2029.

Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

Primary Responsibilities:

Content creation and campus storytelling

• Identify, pitch, and produce stories about student life, academic programs, research, creative work, campus events, and community engagement.
• Attend campus events and activities to capture photography, video, interviews, and supporting footage for social media and other University communications.
• Create/edit engaging short form video, photographs, captions, and simple graphics tailored to each platform and audience.
• Initiate conversations with students and other campus community members; conduct informal campus interviews, student spotlights, and event recaps that help participants feel comfortable and allows them to tell/highlight their story.
• Develop recurring content series and creative formats that reflect the breadth of Morris experiences, perspectives, and opportunities.
• Prepare content with accurate information, clear and accessible captions/descriptions, appropriate permissions, and consistent University branding.
• Organize and label reusable photo and video assets in the team's shared systems, including relevant permissions and usage information.
• Ensure all social media posts and media meet digital accessibility standards, including alt text for images, closed captions for videos, and clear formatting.

Social media strategy and channel coordination

• Help implement a social media strategy with clear audiences, content themes, and measurable goals aligned with campus and enrollment priorities.
• Maintain a social media editorial calendar that balances planned campaigns, recurring series, timely opportunities, and coverage across campus.
• Coordinate with OCM to gather ideas, maintain schedules for content, clarify approvals, and coordinate event coverage across campus.
• Draft, schedule, and publish content on designated University social media accounts, adapting content and timing to each platform.
• Track relevant trends, platform changes, and peer practices; ensuring content is produced that fits Morris audiences, strategy and brand guidelines.
• Offer guidance to campus partners, student groups contributors on content development and social media practices.

Campus events calendar coordination

• Maintain the campus events calendar by reviewing and publishing submissions, checking key details, and coordinating updates/cancellations with event organizers.
• Encourage timely submissions from campus departments and student organizations and provide guidance on clear descriptions, images, links, and required event information.
• Use events calendar to identify opportunities for promotion, content capture, and follow up storytelling.

Audience engagement, performance analysis and team collaboration

• Monitor comments, messages, and relevant conversations on designated channels; respond to routine questions and route concerns or sensitive issues to the appropriate staff.
• Encourage meaningful audience participation through questions, interviews, student contributions, and other interactive content.
• Track performance, including reach, engagement, video viewing, and audience growth.
• Provide concise monthly reports identifying effective content, audience insights, and recommended adjustments; use findings to improve future work.
• Follow established moderation/escalation practices and coordinate with designated communications staff during sensitive situations.
• Participate in OCM team planning, coordinate social media/event priorities with OCM team members, and contribute to shared communications projects/perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, journalism, digital media, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience, subject to University classification requirements.
• Ability to build rapport, initiate conversations, and interview people with varied backgrounds and levels of comfort on camera.
• Sound editorial judgment and attention to accuracy, accessibility, privacy, and responsible use of images, music, and other creative materials.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience creating social media content for an organization, publication, campaign, or community. Relevant professional, freelance, internship, student employment, and substantial volunteer experience may be considered.
• Sound editorial judgment and attention to accuracy, accessibility, privacy, and responsible use of images, music, and other creative materials.
• Experience with video editing and design tools such as Adobe Premiere Pro, CapCut, Canva, or comparable applications preferred.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $57,700 to $60,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the

time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures

that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while

maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and

equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates

will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Required application materials: Resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail jobcentr@umn.edu.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota Morris (UMN Morris)

The University of Minnesota Morris (UMN Morris) makes its home on a 121-year-old campus on the western edge of the state and is one of the top public liberal arts colleges in the nation. The small, close-knit campus emphasizes faculty/student collaboration in research, study abroad, and community engaged learning. Deeply rooted in the tall grass prairies of Minnesota, the campus also has advanced sustainable, environmentally friendly initiatives that have grown to levels of national leadership and touch nearly all aspects of campus life.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.