If you’re passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country—and you’re committed to working hard to play your part in building that future—consider WGU as the next step in your career.
Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.
Job Profile Summary:
The Senior Social Media Strategist will lead and coordinate the university’s social media strategies aimed at building the reputations of the university, the WGU system, and our leaders among key target audiences. The incumbent will work closely with all members of the public relations, marketing, and student experience team, supporting all WGU departments by providing social media consultation, strategy, and content development support.
The Senior Social Media Strategist will serve as the team lead for Communications and Public Relations social media efforts, including planning and calendaring, content creation and review, and monitoring. He/she will also develop and review social media content that supports WGU’s reputation as a thought leader in innovation and education.
The Social Media Strategist will work with the WGU colleges, state affiliates, practices, and WGU system entities and state/regional affiliates to promote the awareness and positive reputation of WGU among key target audiences through effective use of social media channels.
The primary focus of this position is to partner with Communications team members to support their work as business partners with assigned colleges, entities, or practices to plan and implement strategies and tactics to build and maintain WGU’s positive reputation through social media.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
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Ensure that WGU, its affiliates, colleges and systems entities have positive awareness and reputation through:
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Social media strategic planning and implementation.
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Proactive planning that supports reputation enhancement.
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Content creation, including articles, web copy, press releases, social media content, speeches, presentations, and newsletters.
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Thought leadership initiatives.
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Agency and vendor management.
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Social media tracking and reporting
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Support for promotional events, campaigns, and activities that support new student acquisition.
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Performs other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skill and Abilities:
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Strong knowledge of best practices for social media channels, including, but not limited to: Ability to work effectively with all external audiences as well as WGU staff at all levels.
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Outstanding writing skills and ability to write effectively for different audiences.
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Understanding of and ability to develop relationships with media.
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Ability to work independently, conceptualize projects, and manage multiple priorities.
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Ability to perform creative writing and related activities such as conducting interviews, research, and editing.
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Ability to work calmly and maintain good judgment in a fast-paced, dynamic, and entrepreneurial environment.
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Ability to understand and interpret information accurately.
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Ability to communicate accurately and concisely.
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Ability to influence others positively.
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Ability to initiate creative and innovative promotional ideas.
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Demonstrated skill and ability in the use of social media, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn
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Demonstrated skill and ability in the effective use of equipment, computers and other resources for completion of projects such as posters, displays, PowerPoints, etc.
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Self-direction and reliability.
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Excellent communication, collaboration, and customer service skills.
Competencies:
Organizational Impact:
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Works to achieve operational targets with significant to major impact on department, Function, or Office results. May be responsible for managing large projects or processes within the department, function, or office.
- Performs work as directed with limited oversight.
Problem Solving & Decision Making:
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Responsible for leveraging a systems-thinking approach, making moderate to significant improvements of processes, systems, and plans within the department, Function, or Office.
- Problems and issues faced are numerous and challenging, will require detailed information gathering and analysis. Problems typically affect multiple areas or specialties.
Communication & Influence:
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Collaborates cross-functionally with employees within and outside of the department. Typically has responsibility for communicating with parties external to the University.
- Works to influence parties within and outside the department, Function, or Office regarding policies, procedures, and practices.
Leadership & Talent Management
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Is responsible for providing guidance, coaching, and training to other employees in the department, Function, or Office. Responsible for managing projects involving delegation of work and review of others’ work products.
- Demonstrates the WGU leadership principles in all aspects of service to students, employees, and partners of WGU.
Job Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications:
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5+ years of experience with a bachelor's degree, or 3+ years and a master's degree, or a doctorate or terminal degree without experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
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Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, public relations, journalism, or related field.
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5-8 years of experience in social media including internships.
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Higher education experience preferred.
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May have a broad knowledge of project management.
Physical Requirements:
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Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
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Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
Disclaimer: This Job Description has been designed to indicate the general nature, essential duties, and responsibilities of work performed by employees within this classification. It does not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications that are required of the employee to do this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. This Job Description does not constitute a contract of employment and the University may exercise its employment-at-will rights at any time.
The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.
At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:
Pay Range: $70,100.00 - $105,200.00
WGU will accept applications for this position until 12:00 AM ET, 07/06/2024
How to apply: apply online
Full-time Regular Positions (FT classification, standard working hours = 40)
This is a full-time, regular position that is eligible for bonuses; medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.
The University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.