Social Media Lead, Executive Communications

University of Southern California; Glendale (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Southern California seeks a Social Media Lead to own content strategy, manage executive social accounts, and oversee campaigns from concept to completion. You will collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to deliver high-quality, engaging content.

The ideal candidate has substantial experience in corporate communications, deep knowledge of major social platforms, and a track record of driving measurable engagement. Occasional travel and after-hours work may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in communications, journalism, English, or related field.
• Four years' experience in communications, content development and writing/editing in corporate communications.
• Advanced knowledge of social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, etc.) and blog strategies.
• Experience managing an executive's public social media accounts with measurable growth and engagement.
• Demonstrated copywriting experience for a recognized brand or institution.

Responsibilities

• Create engaging SEO/GEO-optimized content for traditional and digital channels.
• Design content that meets deadlines and analyzes copy effectiveness.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to coordinate promotions and campaigns.
• Manage leadership's social media accounts (Instagram, LinkedIn, X) and monitor posts for insights.
• Coordinate with University Communications to align schedules with social content calendars.
• Balance requests across university departments with excellent organizational skills.
• Provide real-time monitoring of social channels to identify opportunities and measure performance.

Skills

Content strategy

Social media management

Copywriting

Research

Working under pressure

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

HTML/CSS

Adobe Creative Suite

WordPress

Job description

The Social Media Lead manages executive social media accounts, and additional content strategy. The role oversees content calendars, approvals and develops social media posts and campaigns from concept through completion. The Social Media Lead owns the content strategy and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to deliver polished, high-quality content. The role requires the ability to work effectively under pressure, respond quickly to emerging opportunities, and drive timely and meaningful engagement across social media platforms.

Job Responsibilities

The candidate for the position of Social Media Lead will be responsible for:

• Creating engaging, visually cohesive, and professional SEO/GEO-optimized communications content for traditional and digital/social channels (e.g., written copy, photos, videos, presentations, e-mail blasts, etc.) tailored to platform formats and target audiences. Responsible for distilling complex topics into easy-to understand information for varied audiences. Developing and executing short and long-term content production plans.

• Designing and creating content that consistently meets deadlines and expectations. Responsible for analyzing the effectiveness of copy to convey intended messaging. Interpreting and applying industry standards (e.g., style guides) and best practices.

• Maintaining collaborative relationships with varied stakeholders, tailoring content to specified needs, adjusting priorities as appropriate, and anticipating future needs. Creating, optimizing, and analyzing social media advertisements as required. Collaborating with content, marketing, and underwriting departments to coordinate and implement various promotions and campaigns.

• Managing leadership's social media accounts (Instagram, LinkedIn, X) including designing and curating posts, and monitoring posts after they publish to gain insights and analyze engagement. Prioritizing and routing social media and additional leadership content through approvals.

• Working closely with the University Communications to align executive schedules with social media calendar(s), planning posts and digital content around speaking engagements, event participation, and other university activations.

• Maintaining excellent organizational skills working across university departments with the ability to balance requests from stakeholders across the university.

• Providing real-time monitoring of social channels to identify strategic opportunities, provide community insights to help guide creative terms, and flag potential issues. Monitoring performance benchmarks and utilizes social media performance metrics and analytics for measuring and improving upon social media impact.

After hours work may be required and potential occasional travel. This role will require a confident presence and the ability to work with senior leadership, including managing urgent, short and long-term requests.

Preferred Qualifications

The ideal candidate for the position of Social Media Lead has the following qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, English, or other relevant fields.

• Six years' experience in communications, content development and writing/editing in corporate communications.

• Demonstrable strong internet research skills with the ability to find and compile interesting and relevant content (blog posts, news items, photos, video, etc.).

• Experience in higher education, and knowledge of human resources functions and services.

Minimum Qualifications

The candidate for the position of Social Media Lead must meet the following qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree.

• Four years' experience in communications, content development and writing/editing in corporate communications.

• Advanced knowledge of social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, etc.) and blog strategies.

• Experience Managing an executive or founder's public social media accounts, achieving measurable growth and engagement results.

• Demonstrated copywriting experience for a recognized brand or institution.

The budgeted salary range for this position is $90,000 - $95,875. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer alignment, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

• Minimum Education:
• Bachelor's degree
• Additional Education Requirements
• Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education
• Minimum Experience:
• 4 years
• Minimum Skills:
• Four years' experience in communications, content development and writing/editing in employee/internal corporate communications.
• Advanced knowledge of social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, etc.) and blog strategies.
• Experience using social media to grow a consumer brand with measurable results.
• Proven knowledge of writing and editing fundamentals and Associated Press style. Ability to tailor content to fit targeted audiences with a clear, demonstrated understanding of multichannel communication platforms.
• Experience with design software/tools (e.g., HTML, CSS, Adobe Creative Suite) creating assets for digital environments (e.g., WordPress, social media, search and display advertising).
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, able to provide detailed information and summaries to peers and supervisors, exercising discretion with confidential information.
• Ability to build and deliver solutions that consistently meet customer expectations.
• Demonstrated organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to make decisions proactively, independently, strategically and creatively.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills to provide support and guidance as needed.
• Experience with Microsoft Office and content
• Preferred Education:
• Bachelor's degree
• Preferred Experience:
• 6 years
• Preferred Skills:
• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, English, or other relevant fields.
• Five years' experience in communications, content development and writing/editing in employee/internal corporate communications.
• Demonstrable strong internet research skills with the ability to find and compile interesting and relevant content (blog posts, news items, photos, video, etc.).
• Experience in higher education, and knowledge of human resources functions and services.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, and relationship-building abilities.
• Demonstrated project management, problem-solving and organizational skills, able to effectively manage numerous priorities, deadlines, and necessary resources simultaneously and in a timely manner.
• Ability to produce quality copy on tight schedules.