Job no: 494554
Position Type: Full-Time
Location: Elgin, IL
Experience Level: Mid-Level
Categories: Marketing & Communications, Professional/Technical
Role: Communications and Social Media Manager

About ECC:

Elgin Community College serves over 9,000 students at every stage of their educational journeys, including university transfer programs, career and technical education, continuing education classes, and adult basic education. As a community, we pride ourselves on nurturing a welcoming campus where every person—students, staff members, faculty members, and campus visitors—feels valued. The work of each ECC employee is central to the college’s mission, and as an employer, the college fosters a positive environment through professional challenges, excellent benefits, and opportunities for recognition and camaraderie.

Work Schedule:

Monday - Friday: 8:00am - 5:00pm

Rate of Pay:

This position is a grade 14 with a minimum of $49,575 with a mid-point of $66,100. Salary offer will be commensurate with the education/experience, in alignment with the College’s compensation philosophy, and the current CBA, if applicable.

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Grant Funded:

No

Job Summary:

An employee in this classification performs work of moderate difficulty by executing public relations and communications strategies and tactics to support ECC’s strategic plan and enrollment goals. Work is distinguished by the ability to shape community perception and position Elgin Community College as a leader college through a robust communications plan using traditional and digital channels. General supervision is received by the assigned manager.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

1. Bachelor's degree (BA/BS) in Journalism, Communications, English or similar field from an accredited institution, a minimum of five years full-time experience in public relations, marketing, communications, social media or journalism and a minimum of three years full-time experience in planning, managing, executing, and assessing social media initiatives and campaigns; or equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
2. Considerable skill in writing and editing.
3. Considerable skill in adapting one’s writing style and voice to be effective in various channels and formats. Proficiency with AP style.
4. Considerable skill in managing multiple assignments and meeting deadlines with consistency.
5. Considerable skill with MS office suite systems: Word, Excel, Outlook PowerPoint, and a working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite programs. Expertise in the use of internet/digital research tools.
6. Considerable skill in oral communication in order to present as needed, conduct effective interviews, collaborate with colleagues at all levels of the organization/community partners, and represent the college when requested.
7. Considerable skill in preparing sensitive key messages for senior executives, such as college presidents vice presidents, chief executives and elected boards.
8. Working skill in digital communication vehicles such as CMS web platforms, blogging and social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and/or other emerging technologies/communications spaces.

Desired Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

1. Experience working with reporters/media outlets as a media relations representative.
2. Experience in higher education marketing/communications.
3. Leadership or management experience.
4. Familiarity with web design and publishing.

Essential Duties:

1. Develop, create, execute and continuously evaluate the college’s social media content strategy matrix that supports the ECC brand, enrollment objectives and strategic priorities of the college.
2. Analyze internal and external communications tactics, social media/emerging technologies and recommend changes to ensure social strategy objectives are being met.
3. Establish Key Performance Indicators (KPI) for all social content platforms and evaluate against those KPIs to use data to inform content strategy.
4. Make daily decisions on priority content for all of the college’s social media channels based on current enrollment or retention priorities, ECC alumni and community members.
5. Leads specific, targeted organic social media campaigns for various departments, such as Marketing, the ECC Foundation, Financial Aid, and International Programs.
6. Manage live stream events on various social media platforms in collaboration with faculty, deans, admissions and other departments to impact enrollment or serve the district.
7. Analyze new sites and advise communications leadership regarding potential benefits to ECC communications.
8. Responsible for writing, design, distribution and follow up report metrics for weekly internal employee newsletter(s), Spartan Review.
9. Develops and manages the ECC News Room and other webpages in coordination with the Web Services team.
10. Manage college news release schedules, which may include interacting with reporters and photographers, setting up interviews with experts, and writing pitches.
11. Write stories and conduct interviews for Impact Magazine, Community Report, and other special publications.
12. Publicize college-wide events both in the traditional and online environment such as all-college meetings, employee convocation and student sessions ensuring accessibility to align with the college’s shared value of equity.
13. Strategize and create content and message strategy for internal (ECCTV) and external digital signage (Gateway signs).
14. Attend meetings and participate in ECC internal and external functions as assigned.
15. Serve as a direct back up to the assigned manager.
16. Manage and assign work for departmental student workers.
17. Manage social media comments and respond with crisis messages in a timely fashion.
18. Prepare key messages to counter or mitigate negative press coverage about ECC.
19. Manage emergency alerts as needed through RAVE and site-wide website notices
20. Serve as a member of the Crisis Team, participate in semi-annual crisis media training and provide full support to the Marketing and Communications departments with all crisis communications.
21. Maintain required training, licensure and/or certification.
22. Maintain confidentiality of privileged information and adheres to applicable privacy laws.
23. Demonstrate sensitivity, understanding and respect of diverse populations within the workplace.
24. Maintain an understanding of the work of colleagues to effectively provide backup and/or support for co-workers during times when the division is short-staffed or experiencing an increased volume of work.
25. Adhere to department guidelines for attendance and punctuality.
26. Available to respond to internal and external customers, either in person or over the phone, during scheduled business hours.
27. Demonstrate independent judgement and discretion in making position related decisions.
28. Develop and maintain positive and professional relationships with internal and external customers.

Other Duties:

1. Perform other duties as assigned which pertain to the job description.
2. Ability to work a flexible schedule which includes days/evenings/weekends as needed by the department.

Physical Demands:

Light (up to 25 lbs occasionally or 10 lbs frequently)

Visual Acuity:

Close visual acuity (e.g. computer, assembly)

Work Environment:

Moderate noise

Environmental Conditions:

Typical office or administrative, Outdoor weather

Current SSECCA Union Member Information:

The initial posting date for this position is 03/24/2023. Elgin Community College Support Staff Association (SSECCA) members that apply by 04/07/2023 and meet the posted minimum qualifications will receive full consideration.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Elgin Community College does not discriminate, or tolerate discrimination, against any member of its community on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex/gender/gender identity, age, religion, disability, pregnancy, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law in matters of admissions, employment, or in any aspect of the educational programs or activities it offers.

In addition, Elgin Community College provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to ensure equal access and equal opportunities with regard to employment practices, educational opportunities, and programs and services. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the College’s EEO/AA Officer. Determinations on request for a reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Advertised: March 24, 2023 Central Daylight Time
Applications close: Open until filled