Main work location: Stanford historic campus Schedule: Hybrid, at least 3 days per week on site
Position summary: Stanford’s Office of University Communications is looking for a Social Media Manager to elevate the institution’s teaching and research mission on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, X, Bluesky, and YouTube (7.7M combined followers). The Social Media Manager will develop and deliver original content on key channels and engage with collaborators, audiences, and influencers to drive interaction, spur advocacy, and broaden reach and impact. The Social Media Manager will report to the Senior Director of Channel Strategy and sit on a 14-person marketing and digital strategy team whose functions include content strategy and channel management, insights and analytics, video and photography, web technology, and more.
University Communications provides support and leadership in the planning, coordination, and implementation of strategic communications programs that promote Stanford University and its mission. University Communications is responsible for brand positioning and strategy; issues and reputation management; crisis communications; oversight of digital content and top-level web and social media platforms; media relations and news services; executive communications; and a campus video production studio. University Communications coordinates with communications professionals across the university, provides leadership to the Communications Working Group, and advises on communications policy with senior executive staff.
Core duties:
Develop written and visual content for key social media channels
Provide frequent live coverage of a wide range of campus events, often on evenings and weekends
Produce original short-form video bringing campus culture, research insights, and the student experience to life for a range of audience segments
Create optimized social posts from curated and archival content, leveraging AI tools responsibly for ideation and iteration
Manage an editorial calendar and produce social content plans for major campus events (e.g., New Student Orientation, Commencement, Nobel Prize wins, etc.) as well as societal ones where Stanford people or research are involved (e.g., the Olympics)
Partner with an executive communications team on social content for leadership accounts
Engage with audiences, collaborators, and influencers to spur advocacy and broaden reach and impact of our digital content
Track and report on performance and insights
Monitor online conversation and trends and identify opportunities to advance Stanford’s strategic messaging objectives
Manage a suite of services, tools and platforms that facilitate creative production and account management and security
Participate in issue-response and emergency communications and monitoring, as needed
May hire, coach, and manage interns and freelancers
Education and experience:
Bachelor’s degree and five years of relevant experience or combination of education and relevant experience. A degree or experience in social media management or digital communications, marketing, or journalism preferred.
Knowledge, skills, and abilities:
Excellent writing and analytical skills
Sound judgment; proven ability to push creatively while protecting brand and reputation
Expertise in all aspects of social video production, including storyboarding, shooting, and editing
Proficiency with AI tools to support ideation, content creation and iteration, data analysis, reporting, and more
Knowledge of social platforms, and current and anticipated digital communication trends
Experience with industry-standard tools used to conduct and support social media management
Fluency in web- and app-based photo and video editing tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Express, InShot, CapCut, Edits, etc.)
Hands-on experience with the administration of advertising and paid content promotion
Demonstrated commitment to proactively solving problems and developing solutions
Experience contributing to high-functioning teams
The successful candidate will have:
An unshakeable technical foundation in writing and editing
A love for—and deep understanding of—visual storytelling, with basic knowledge of the skills that facilitate channel-specific optimization of creative content
The ability to work frequently outside of standard hours, including on evenings and weekends, to fully capture and convey the campus experience
Comfort appearing on camera in social video content
Skills to build and maintain a network of sources and collaborators to identify frequent, fruitful social-first storytelling opportunities across campus
A commitment to journalistic principles of truth, fairness, and accuracy
Demonstrated ability to compelling copy adhering to brand and style guidelines
Creative hustle paired with impeccable organizational skills, time management, and follow-through
An intuitive understanding of how to attract, grow, and engage digital audiences through organic and paid social, third-party advocacy, and content partnerships
The ability to imagine and articulate how different channels might advance editorial strategies for a range of audience segments
Tendency toward curiosity, collaboration, persistence, and problem solving
Demonstrated commitment to tracking industry trends and staying abreast of platform changes, big and little
Eagerness to analyze audience insights and prototype new creative and editorial approaches
The ability to problem-solve and work independently to meet deadlines and capitalize on creative opportunities
Excellent interpersonal skills, mature judgment, and diplomacy required to interact effectively with, and provide service to, manager, colleagues, and external stakeholders
Knowledge of Stanford’s culture and traditions a major plus
The expected pay range for this position is $119,029 – $138,578 per annum.
Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.
At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards) provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.
Physical requirements:
Constantly perform desk-based computer tasks
Frequently stand/walk, sit, use a telephone, grasp lightly/fine manipulation, speaking
* - Consistent with its obligations under the law, the university will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.
Working conditions:
Occasional work on evenings and weekends
Must have the ability to be present on campus as needed, with the standard expectation of 3 days per week
Work standards:
Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations
Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned
Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable university policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu
The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.
Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources by submitting a contact form.
Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Office of External Relations, Stanford, California, United States
📁 Communications
Post Date:5 days ago
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