Communications Specialist - Social Media

University of Louisiana at Lafayette; Lafayette (LA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Louisiana at Lafayette is seeking a Communications Specialist – Social Media to plan, develop, and schedule content across UL Lafayette Online channels and support department stakeholders.

The role focuses on creating engaging social media content, monitoring trends, and applying best practices to improve visibility and accessibility while coordinating with the Office of Communications and Marketing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, English, marketing, or related field with portfolio if non-related degree.
• Exceptional writing ability and strong communication skills.
• Experience as a social media specialist or similar position.
• Knowledge of social media KPIs, web traffic metrics, and SEO.
• Ability to meet strict deadlines and work independently or in a team.

Responsibilities

• Build and execute social media strategy for UL Lafayette Online.
• Monitor trends and apply them to the brand.
• Create and publish original text, images, graphics, and short-form video.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure content aligns with brand standards.
• Maintain current knowledge of social media updates and best practices.
• Optimize channels to increase visibility using data insights.
• Manage user-generated content per policies.
• Develop internal calendars for social media.
• Ensure accessibility guidelines are met and aligned with marketing goals.
• Respond to audience engagement while maintaining brand voice.
• Report monthly on relevant performance metrics.
• Develop news and blog content for UL Lafayette Online site.
• Perform related duties to support the Office of Distance Learning mission.

Skills

Social media strategy

Content creation

Audience research

Storytelling

SEO knowledge

Excellent writing

Time management

Problem-solving

Interpersonal communication

Brand awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, English, marketing, or related field

Job description

Position Title: Communications Specialist - Social Media

Department: 2032|Distance Learning

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications Manager in the Office of Distance Learning, the Communications Specialist – Social Media will plan, develop, and schedule social media content across UL Lafayette Online’s channels and provide strategic support to departmental stakeholders.

This position will also support operational goals in developing, writing, and editing accurate, accessible, and customer focused messages for all Office of Distance Learning units while coordinating with appropriate staff in UL Lafayette’s Office of Communications and Marketing.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Communication Specialist – Social Media will:

• Build and execute social media strategy for UL Lafayette Online through competitive and audience research.
• Monitor social media trends and find unique ways to integrate them into the brand.
• Consistently generate, edit, and publish content (original text, images, graphics, and short-form video) that facilitates engagement and encourages conversion.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure content is relevant and consistent with brand standards.
• Maintain current knowledge of social media updates and best practices.
• Optimize UL Lafayette Online channels to increase visibility, using data insights and best practices.
• Manage user-generated content in accordance with University and departmental policies.
• Develop social media calendars internally and for stakeholder departments.
• Ensure content meets current accessibility guidelines and is aligned with marketing goals.
• Proactively monitor and respond to audience engagement across social media platforms, including comments and messages, while maintaining brand voice and fostering positive relationships with audiences.
• Report monthly on relevant performance metrics.
• Develop news and blog content for UL Lafayette Online’s website, as needed.
• Perform related duties as necessary to support the UL Lafayette Office of Distance Learning mission, goals, and objectives.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Education: A bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, English, marketing, technical writing, or a bachelor’s degree in a non-related field accompanied by a portfolio of work demonstrating significant experience and preferred skills.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Must be an exceptional writer with:

• Experience as a social media specialist or similar position
• Excellent critical thinking, interpersonal communication, time-management and problem-solving skills.
• A storytelling-first creative mindset.
• Ability to use social media for engagement and brand awareness.
• Excellent knowledge of social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
• Understanding of social media KPIs, web traffic metrics and SEO.
• Experience conducting audience research and developing personas.
• Demonstrated knowledge of online content strategy, accessibility standards and principles, and SEO approaches.
• Demonstrable skills in persuasive communication with the ability to incorporate a diversity of backgrounds, cultures, talents, and experiences when developing content for different audiences.
• Ability to work independently and within a team.
• Ability to meet strict deadlines.