Social Media Strategist

JOB SUMMARY

The Social Media Strategist is responsible for maintaining and growing the university's social media presence to increase engagement, brand awareness, and audience growth. This role manages day-to-day social media operations, develops and executes strategic campaigns, and collaborates with the broader marketing team to ensure social content aligns with institutional goals. The strategist curates, creates, and distributes content across multiple platforms while analyzing performance data to optimize results and enhance overall marketing efforts.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to: Social Media & Operations Manager

Supervisory Responsibility: N/A

Indirect Supervisory Responsibility: N/A

ESSENTIAL DUTIES - May include, but are not limited to the following:

• Develop and implement social media strategies, campaigns, and content plans aligned with overall marketing goals
• Manage and maintain all university social media platforms (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, etc.)
• Create, curate, and publish engaging content to grow audiences and increase engagement
• Ensure brand consistency across all social media channels
• Monitor trends, emerging platforms, and industry opportunities to keep strategy current
• Analyze performance metrics and implement optimization strategies to improve reach and engagement
• Collaborate with marketing, media relations, and communications teams to align messaging
• Share and amplify content from university-affiliated accounts (e.g., alumni, athletics, internal departments)
• Assist in the promotion of university news, events, and initiatives
• Manage and execute social media campaigns from concept to completion
• Engage with audiences and foster community through social platforms

ADDITIONAL/NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Monitor and respond to social media activity outside of standard business hours as needed
• Support special projects or campaigns across the marketing department
• Assist with training or mentoring student team members

All remaining duties are considered "nonessential" within the context of the ADA, which means that the function could be reassigned to another employee in order to allow a disabled individual to hold the position. Alternatively, the manager could try to provide a reasonable accommodation so that the disabled individual could perform the function.

LOCATION

Lakeland Downtown Offices

EDUCATION

Required Education:

Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Communications, PR, or a related field.

Preferred Education:

Master's Degree in Marketing, Communications, PR, or a related field.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

N/A

EXPERIENCE

Required:

Minimum of 2 years of experience in social media management, including experience with platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube

Preferred:

Experience in higher education marketing or working within a university setting; experience managing multiple brand accounts and leading campaigns

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Required:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to adapt messaging for different social media platforms and audiences
• Experience with social media management tools (e.g., Hootsuite, Sprout Social)
• Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator) and Google Analytics
• Understanding of marketing principles and target audience development
• Strong analytical, organizational, and time-management skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team environment
• Strong project management and campaign execution skills
• Willingness to work flexible hours when needed

Preferred:

• Experience with content strategy and brand storytelling
• Familiarity with higher education marketing and student audiences
• Experience supervising or mentoring student employees

WORK ENVIRONMENT

All employees are responsible for maintaining an environment that is free from discrimination, intimidation, and harassment, including sexual harassment.

• This position is considered Non-Essential for the purposes of Emergency Response.

Physical Requirements:

N/A

Travel:

10% - travel to & from campus for meetings, student team events, and University events such as General Council, SEU Conference, etc.

Schedule:

Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, with occasional evenings and weekends based on campaign needs, events, and posting schedules

TRAINING

All new hires and employees transferring into a new position will have a 90-day probationary period within which to learn the functions of the job and to be evaluated. Following the probationary period, the employee can transition to regular status, have the probationary period extended in order to receive more training, or employment can be terminated. Required compliance training is as follows:

FERPA

SEU Onboarding

SEU Creative Team Onboarding

Other training as required

Paycom Manager Training

SAFETY

• SEU promotes a safe working environment. Employees are responsible for completing assigned tasks safely and efficiently, and supervisors are responsible for creating and maintaining a safe work environment.
• Employees must report any unsafe work conditions or practices, as well as any near-miss incidents, to their supervisor and Risk Management.
• Work-related injuries must be immediately reported to Security and Human Resources. When life or limb are at risk, please dial 911. Supervisors and employees should ensure that injury/accident reports are submitted to the Office of Human Resources within 24 hours of the incident.
• Emergency Employees report for or must remain at work in emergency situations. Dismissal or closure announcements do not apply to this position, unless instructed otherwise by your direct supervisor or a member of the Leadership Team.

SCREENING

All full-time positions at SEU are deemed security-sensitive and require background checks. Employees required to drive their own personal vehicle, a rental car or an SEU vehicle in performance of their duties must pass an MVR records check and meet the requirements of the University's insurance carrier in order to meet the requirements of the position.

DISCLAIMER

SEU is an at-will employer. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. The employer retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

SEU is committed to providing a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. All forms of discrimination against or harassment of a person because of his or her identification within a protected category are strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated. This prohibition applies equally to conduct by and against employees, vendors, visitors, and students.

Southeastern University is committed to equal opportunity in employment and education and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex (including pregnancy), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit-based factors. The equal opportunity policy will apply in University programs and activities, and all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay, and other compensation, termination, and all other terms, conditions and privileges of employment. All employees of Southeastern University, by continued employment, agree to abide by the policies contained in the Employee Handbook and in the SEU Mission, Vision, Statement of Faith and Community Covenant.