Social Media Editor

Job Summary

The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), Office of the Vice Chancellor for Strategic Marketing and Communications (OVCSMC) directs initiatives to elevate the profile and reputation of UIC, Chicago’s only public research university.  The OVCSMC is seeking a full-time Social Media Editor.

University of Illinois Chicago’s Office of the Vice Chancellor for Strategic Marketing and Communications, through market research, analytics and a deep understanding of an optimal constituent experience, is charged with enhancing, elevating, stewarding, amplifying and protecting the university’s reputation, visibility and reach throughout the state, nationally and globally. 

Working jointly with the communications and marketing teams of the Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications, the Social Media Editor is responsible for social content creation, publishing and strategy to inform, inspire and engage the brand and reputation of the University of Illinois Chicago. The Social Media Editor is skilled and highly detail-oriented in developing and maintaining UIC’s brand, story and marketing strategies through the best and most creative ways to share content and build an audience. The Social Media Editor values a team of teams approach by supporting a collaborative team environment to curate a content strategy anchored in brand voice, clarity and accuracy. The Social Media Editor is a lead strategist and content creator who effectively tracks user engagement and activity and interprets analytics to implement social strategies that increase engagement and influence.

The Strategic Marketing and Communications team is a collaborative group that develops and executes strategies that inform, inspire and engage others to become part of UIC’s global academic and research mission. This role values a team of teams approach and is a systems thinker who can motivate and positively influence others to curate a content strategy anchored in advancing university priorities and to promote engagement of core audiences.

About UIC

Located in one of the world’s greatest cities, the University of Illinois Chicago is Chicago’s largest university and only public research institution. Its 16 academic colleges serve nearly 34,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students. UIC is recognized as one of the most ethnically rich and culturally diverse campuses in the nation, a leader in providing access to underrepresented students. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising ne of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI).

Around 80% of undergraduates receive financial assistance. With one of the largest colleges of medicine in the nation, and colleges of dentistry, pharmacy, public health, nursing, social work, and applied health sciences, UIC is the state’s principal educator of health professionals and a major healthcare provider to underserved communities. UIC students become professionals in fields ranging from business and engineering to education, liberal arts and sciences, urban planning, law and social work, as well as architecture, design and the arts. UIC is an integral part of the educational, technological, and cultural fabric of Chicago. 

UIC is among the nation’s preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. Recent “Best Colleges” rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. The UIC campus is located just west of Chicago’s loop, integrated into historic residential neighborhoods and the urban environment.

Job Responsibilities  

• Delight and engage existing audiences and new audiences while always protecting the integrity of the UIC brand and reputation.
• Foster an environment of excellent communication, support and goodwill with the Strategic Marketing and Communications team and our many internal and external partners.
• Become a lead social media ambassador, advocate and expert to educate internal partners on best social media practices and how to utilize their platforms to promote UIC in creative ways. Implement ongoing cross-functional sharing, amplification and monitoring along with educational opportunities, workshops, etc.
• Lead and manage day-to-day social media content including: creating, curating, managing and scheduling all published content; develop relevant content topics/campaigns; develop and expand community/influencer outreach efforts; oversee and collaborate on the design of social media graphics for all profiles; design, create and manage promotions and social ad campaigns; create and manage an online review funnel for building online reviews and reputation; analyze key SEO/metrics and tweak strategy accordingly and compile KPI/ROI reports and benchmarks for senior leadership; and ensure social content adheres to web accessibility standards.
• Work with internal and external teams to create and write eye-catching and engaging social media content, including reviewing, proofing and editing before posting.
• Oversee production and delivery of social media content from external and internal sources.
• Monitor, listen and respond to users in a defined conversational brand voice while cultivating leads, engagement and influence.
• Develop and grow audience engagement strategies. Support and build overall social media engagement by actively contributing innovative and disruptive ideas in team brainstorms.
• Analyze campaigns and translate anecdotal or qualitative data into recommendations and plans for revising social media, content marketing, SEO and social advertising campaigns.
• Monitor pop culture and trending topics and share ideas to connect the brand in creative ways. Includes keeping abreast of industry and consumer trends, advancements in technology and new social media platforms and tools.
• Maintain promotional calendars and report weekly milestones, including goals such as growing social channel followers and engagement, and updates to the Vice Chancellor of Strategic Marketing and Communications and the senior leadership team.
• Provide real-time platform coverage during crisis management, events, initiatives, etc. as needed.
• Work with marketing team on content and promotion to support priority news, initiatives and events.
• Identify threats and opportunities in user-generated content; report notable threats and possess a great ability to identify potential negative or crisis situations and apply conflict resolution principles to mitigate issues.
• Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.
   

Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in communications, media, journalism, marketing or a related field.
• 3 years’ experience managing a large-scale social media account. 
• Familiarity with all major social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Pinterest, Snapchat, LinkedIn and YouTube, and in-depth knowledge and understanding of platforms, their respective audiences and how each platform can be deployed differently.
• Experience sourcing and managing content development and publishing grounded in audience behavior and marketing theory and practices.
• Excellent writing and copy-editing skills and sharp wit; strong editorial judgment.
• Preferred Qualifications
• Proven passion for social engagement and experimentation in the rapidly changing digital world.
• Strong familiarity with social media publishing and creation tools, such as Khoros, Buffer, Later, Hootsuite, Meltwater and Google Analytics.
• A passion for design with a knowledge of industry trends.
• An appreciation for and knowledge of viral content. You are a pop culture aficionado who always has today’s meme at your fingertips.
• A passion for details and organization.
• Video production, editing experience and design knowledge and proficiency in design tools such as Photoshop and Canva a plus.
• Demonstrate the ability to map out a comprehensive marketing plan. Drive strategies that are proven by testing and metrics. Proficient or certified in Google Analytics and/or other KPI drivers.
• Exhibit the ability to jump from the creative side of marketing to the analytical side, able to demonstrate why their ideas are analytically sound.
• Possess functional knowledge of blogging, podcast, WordPress, etc. ecosystem.
• A team player with the confidence to take the lead and guide others when necessary; demonstrates winning customer service and relationship-building skills and techniques such as empathy, patience, advocacy and conflict resolution.
• A strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.

For fullest consideration, applicants should complete the UIC employment application, submit cover letter, resume, and 3 references by Monday, March 27, 2023.

The University of Illinois Chicago is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer that has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity and is particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of people. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, and religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The University of Illinois may conduct background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer.  Background checks will be performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment.  For more information, visit https://www.hr.uillinois.edu/cms/One.aspx?portalId=4292&pageId=1411899 

University of Illinois faculty, staff and students are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are not able to receive the vaccine for medical or religious reasons, you may seek approval for an exemption in accordance with applicable University processes.