Social Media Manager

at  California Institute of Technology

JOB DESCRIPTION

Caltech’s Office of Strategic Communications (OSC) advances the Institute’s goals by promoting, protecting, and extending its reputation. We are responsible for unifying and strengthening the Institute’s voice, both by our own activities and by equipping and empowering organizations across campus with messaging, materials, and tools to help them extend Caltech’s reach and influence through their own work.
The Social Media Manager is a highly motivated, creative individual who oversees the development, implementation, assessment, and continued refinement of a dynamic social media strategy for the Institute. This person will manage creation of content for Caltech’s main social channels and help organizations across campus develop social media programs that they can self-manage and grow. This role is also responsible for identifying new social media trends and determining which of them Caltech should adopt or take part in, and for advising on best practices for maintain an active presence and audience in these spaces.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• In-depth knowledge and understanding of social media platforms and how they can be deployed in different scenarios
• 5 years of experience in digital communications (preferably social media) for a school/university or for an organization such as a major non-profit entity, government agency, campaign, or public corporation
• Exceptional written and oral communications skills; must have the ability to accurately and succinctly communicate information in writing in the voice of an institution
• Undergraduate degree required
• A strategic approach to work; experience and ability to work multiple projects simultaneously in a demanding, fast-paced and complex environment; ability to work with flexibility, efficiency, enthusiasm, and diplomacy both individually and as part of a complex team
• Demonstrated initiative to solve problems with high energy and a positive attitude, and commitment to continual improvement
• Well organized and detail oriented; able to learn quickly and absorb information about Caltech; able to communicate effectively and diplomatically with Caltech administration, faculty, students, and staff; able to complete tasks with minimal supervision, but also willing to work as part of a creative team of writers, editors, and multimedia producers
• An appreciation for science and the wonders of the world

• Oversee Caltech’s presence on social media
• Develop Caltech’s social media strategy, including
• Identify specific objectives.
• Develop methods to translate Institute objectives into social media initiatives.
• Deliberate planning and goal setting.
• Manage the Institute’s presence on social media platforms, applications, and properties, including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and BlueSky.
• Possibly launch new Caltech channels.
• Identify, create, and/or adapt existing content for use on social media, always ensuring that messages are consistent with the voice of the Institute.
• For Caltech news articles, collaborate with members of the News team on messaging and strategy.
• Consistently monitor mentions of Caltech on social media, lead the Institute’s social listening activities, and alert leadership of conversations or topics that may be of concern or have reputational considerations.
• Act as point person for emergency-related social media postings during business and off hours, as needed.
• Monitor, analyze, and report metrics/analytics; use metrics/analytics to continually refine the strategy, as necessary, and to inform day-to-day decisions on Caltech’s social media content.
• Maintain an inventory of Caltech divisions, departments, labs, and researchers that are current social media users and influencers.
• Partner with prioritized departments/teams/offices on how to successfully leverage their existing channels on social media; advise them on strategies and plans for content development.
• Identify which departments/teams/offices are not using social media but would benefit from doing so; strategize with these groups on how to initiate a social media presence.
• Lead Social Media Council, a group of communicators from across campus who employ social media on behalf of their departments, labs, etc.
• Organize regular meetings to educate, advise, and encourage collaboration.
• Maintain policies, guidelines, and an overall plan to support social media strategy, including reputation management.
• Recruit and manage student worker(s) to assist with creation of social media content and community engagement.
• Maintain knowledge of emerging platforms and current best practices.
• As a member of Strategic Communications team, provide support on projects in all areas within the purview of the group.