Social Media Specialist-Communications Marketing & Branding

To enrich education through diversity, The College of New Jersey is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse staff committed to teaching and working in a diverse environment, and strongly encourages applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans.

Job Title: Social Media Specialist
Job Category: AFT
Post Date: December 7, 2023
Close Date:  N/A
Salary: $57,573.92- $66,217.02
For non-unit positions, salary commensurate with experience and is accompanied by a competitive benefits package.

Position Summary: 

The Office of Communications, Marketing, and Brand Management is seeking candidates for Social Media Specialist 

The Office of Communications, Marketing & Brand Management is responsible for managing the College's internal and external communications, with an emphasis on building brand awareness and maintaining a clear and consistent visual identity. The office handles all media relations and crisis communications. It is also responsible for the production of print and electronic publications, including TCNJ Magazine, TCNJ.edu, marketing publications and institutional advertising. It maintains the College's official Social Media accounts.

Main Responsibilities:

• Manage, develop, and enhance content for TCNJ's institutional Social Media channels, ensuring content is engaging and in line with current college priorities and industry best practices
• Oversee content calendar to ensure key dates, events, and activities are appropriately acknowledged and/or promoted
• Hire and manage a team of student content creators, ensuring their work is consistent with college messaging and brand standards
• Develop, maintain, and execute digital strategy for TCNJ Magazine to promote engagement with magazine content
• Measure and report on engagement on and effectiveness of individual channels to optimize and guide future content 
• Serve as point person for college Social Media policy, maintaining registry and enforcing provisions, and as institutional resource for others at TCNJ who manage official accounts
• Curate TCNJ Today, the college's internally focused Social Media wall
• Monitor Social Media generally for posts that have the potential to harm the college's brand
• Monitor best practices and continually expand expertise in Social Media

Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations in order to perform the essential functions of the position. If the requested accommodation(s) cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, the applicant may not be eligible for the position.

Required Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree

Preferred Qualifications:

• 2-4 years managing Social Media accounts professionally
• Strong written communication, graphic design, and photo/video skills
• Superior technological skills, including familiarity with relevant Social Media platforms, Social Media aggregation software (Tag Board), Social Media management platforms (Hootsweet or Sprout Social), Adobe Photoshop, video editing software, Microsoft Office
• Knowledge of Social Media best practices

Demonstrated Abilities:

• Develop overall Social Media strategy and share content via TCNJ's institutional Social Media channels. Oversee Social Media content calendar to ensure appropriate content is posted on a regular basis. Oversee student Social Media ambassador team in content creation and posting. Serve as a member of the CMBM story team with an eye for story mining on Social Media and assigned beats across campus
• Manage TCNJ's institutional Social Media accounts, including but not limited to Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn. Develop and refine best practices in sharing account access while keeping accounts secure. Develop and maintain a Social Media transition/succession plan for students and staff. Respond to comments and direct messages (or share them with appropriate campus offices for action/response) as necessary. Provide access for third-party partners, as required, for advertising and marketing purposes
• Develop, maintain, and execute digital strategy for TCNJ Magazine to promote engagement with magazine content. Share magazine content across Social Media channels as appropriate
• Serve as point person for TCNJ's Social Media policy, ensuring provisions are being followed. Serve as an institutional resource for others at the college who manage official accounts and collaborate on content development and promotion across channels (specifically within the areas of admissions and student affairs/student development)
• Work independently, but this position will need to know when to consult with supervisor on specific content that may be edgy and/or when considering how to respond to third party posts that are critical of the college

Employer Qualifications:

• Final offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and reference checks.
• Residency requirement: In accordance with the New Jersey First Act P.L. 2011 c.70, effective September 1, 2011, new public employees in certain positions (faculty exempt) are required to obtain New Jersey residency within one (1) year of employment. Applicants must meet the requirements listed.

About TCNJ

TCNJ is a highly selective institution that has earned national recognition for its commitment to excellence. Founded in 1855, TCNJ has become an exemplar of the best in public higher education and is consistently acknowledged as one of the top comprehensive colleges in the nation. TCNJ currently is ranked as one of the 75 "Most Competitive" schools in the nation by Barron's Profiles of American Colleges and is rated the No. 1 public institution in the northern region of the country by U.S. News & World Report. TCNJ was named the #10 value in public higher education by the Princeton review in 2009 and, in 2006, was awarded a Phi Beta Kappa chapter - an honor shared by less than 10 percent of colleges and universities nationally. A strong liberal arts core forms the foundation for programs offered through TCNJ's seven schools - Arts & Communication; Business; Education; Humanities and Social Sciences; Science; Nursing, Health, and Exercise Science; and Engineering. TCNJ faculty members are teacher-scholars who share a commitment to liberal learning. TCNJ is located within an hour, by train, of New York City and Philadelphia. The College's campus is set on 289 tree-lined acres in suburban Ewing Township and is known for its natural beauty and has 39 major buildings.

Employee Benefits:
As a member of The College of New Jersey Community, you will be a part of an exciting and rewarding public university career. Eligible full-time employees will be able to take advantage of a generous benefits package that includes health, welfare, and retirement benefits, including:

• Comprehensive benefit plans covering medical, dental and prescription plans

• Generous leave entitlements program and Energy Savings Program 

• Employee and dependent Tuition Waiver and Reimbursement Program

• Pension, retirement, and deferred compensation plans, group life insurance

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Employee affinity groups

• New Jersey State Employee Discount Program (Pet insurance, cell phone plan discounts, discounted amusement park tickets, etc.)

• Access to extensive learning opportunities 

To view a comprehensive list of benefits available to employees, visit our Health Benefits Plans and Programs page to learn more!

Application Instructions

Qualified candidates should apply online at: careers@tcnj.edu and submit a letter of interest, resume (CV), as well as the names and contact information for three professional references. Applications will be considered until a viable candidate is selected.  

SAME Applicants

If you are applying under the New Jersey "SAME" program, your supporting documents (Schedule A or B letter), resume (CV), as well as the names and contact information for three professional references by the closing date listed above to: same@tcnj.edu.  For more information on the SAME program visit their website at: https://nj.gov/csc/same/overview/index.shtml, email: SAME@csc.nj.gov, or call CSC at: 833-691-0404.