If you love social media, pursuing new markets and sharing student success, help us share our Saint Mary’s story with prospective students! The Social Media Specialist is responsible for marketing digital channels (web, social, and other digital platforms), developing stronger brand awareness and consistency with key internal and external constituents. Reporting to the director of communications, this role is responsible for social media - some paid and all organic – while also crafting and sharing compelling narratives in other mediums. In concert with the marketing and communication team, this position assists with implementing and improving comprehensive marketing and communication strategies to advance the university brand and achieve key institutional goals.  

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and maintain collaborative and successful relationships with partners across the university
• Develop and execute marketing strategy, with a focus on digital media, including determining market needs, understanding economic indicators, doing competitive analysis, managing messaging/content, identifying prospective students and their current and future needs, and bringing forth new ways to market/advertise to increase effectiveness;
• Manage, at the direction of the VP and director of communications, the university content calendar. This includes sharing the calendar with key partners, meeting deadlines and budgets and executing full marketing plans;
• Responsible for strategic assessments against goals (ROI and KPIs). Will work with the account manager to ensure scorecards and other metrics are shared with partners and acted upon;
• Collaborate with internal teams and direct designers, writers in development and execution of marketing materials including advertising, web landing pages, multimedia and print;
• Serve as brand AND integration champion of messages through all channels and all communication points across the university.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND FUNCTIONS

• Marketing and/or communication experience and understanding of marketing and communication principles and processes.
• Strong organizational skills including attention to detail and multitasking skills.
• Working knowledge of Wrike or other project management software helpful.
• Required expertise running marketing campaigns, with emphasis on digital campaigns.
• Knowledgeable on analytics, search engine marketing (including but beyond SEO), user experiences, customer insights, market research methodologies and metrics reporting.
• Excellent writing, editing, proofreading, and oral communication skills; a focus on ad and marketing writing. Understanding of design software or templates is helpful.
• Advanced collaborative skills and team building orientation to work effectively and harmoniously with technical and non-technical colleagues.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, advertising, digital marketing, or related field is required
• Experience running integrated marketing and communication campaigns
• Understanding of digital channels and best practices (Sprout Social, Facebook, LinkedIn, Tik Tok and more), including metrics and the user experience
• Highly collaborative, persuasive, strong negotiation and communication skills
• High ethical standards and integrity required, appreciation working for a Lasallian Catholic organization where mission and values ground all work

Apply online at https://www.smumn.edu/about/offices-services/human-resources/employment-opportunities/ and include a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references.

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota believes inclusion and human dignity contributes to a robust academic and work environment and is critical to achieving the University's mission in an increasingly diverse society. Individuals with expertise and diverse skills from underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. The successful candidate must support, respect, and advance the mission of Saint Mary's University as a Lasallian Catholic institution.

Saint Mary’s offers a comprehensive benefit package including health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, flexible spending, retirement pension plan, and both undergraduate and graduate tuition remission plans.

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.