📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Director of Social Media
🔹 Company: Louisiana State University
🔹 Location: 0101B Lakeshore House, Baton Rouge, LA
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Higher Education
🔹 Date Posted: July 11, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Managing LSU's main social media accounts with millions of followers
- Crisis communication management during emergencies
- Overseeing and guiding other LSU-affiliated social media accounts
- Strategic planning and content creation for social media campaigns
- Team management and training for student assistants
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of responsibility and quick decision-making, especially during crisis situations. It also demands strong leadership skills to manage a team and provide guidance to other units.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Manage LSU's main social media accounts, ranked among the top nationally and in the SEC
✅ Oversee and offer expertise to operators of other LSU-affiliated social media accounts
✅ Plan and execute social media strategy, including ads, for LSU's recruiting and branding efforts
✅ Monitor social media accounts for customer service and potential issues
✅ Stay updated on social media trends and recommend new channels for LSU
✅ Provide guidance and assistance to faculty/staff operating other LSU-affiliated social media accounts
✅ Post social media messaging and issue guidance during EOC-led situations
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of social media platforms, analytics, and crisis communication. It also demands excellent time management and multitasking skills to handle multiple accounts and responsibilities.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field
Experience: 7+ years of experience in social media management, public relations, or content development for promotional purposes
Required Skills:
- Proven experience managing social media accounts for a large organization
- Excellent communication and writing skills
- Strong analytical skills and data-driven decision-making
- Proficient in social media analytics tools
- Excellent leadership and team management skills
- Ability to work under pressure and during emergencies
Preferred Skills:
- Master's Degree in Communications
- 10+ years of relevant experience
- Experience in higher education or a similar large organization
ASSUMPTION: While a degree is preferred, LSU values skills, experience, and expertise. Candidates with relevant experience in key job responsibilities are encouraged to apply, even without a degree.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $80,000 - $120,000 per year (Based on industry standards for a Director of Social Media role in higher education)
Benefits:
- Health Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Retirement Options
- Various Leave Options
- Paid Holidays
- Wellness Benefits
- Tuition Exemption
- Training and Development Opportunities
- Employee Discounts
Working Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with potential evenings, weekends, or 24-hour shifts during emergencies
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a Director of Social Media role in higher education. The actual salary may vary based on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Higher Education
Company Size: 201-500 employees
Founded: 1860
Company Description:
- LSU is the flagship institution of the state of Louisiana and is one of only 30 universities nationwide holding land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant status.
- LSU brings in more than $150 million annually in outside research grants and contracts, significantly contributing to the Louisiana economy.
- LSU Chemistry is one of six departments in the College of Science and is currently designated as a Foundation of Excellence Department due to the outstanding accomplishments of its faculty, staff, and students in terms of teaching/learning, research, and service.
Company Specialties:
- General Chemistry
- Analytical
- Inorganic
- Macromolecular
- Organic
- Physical
- Catalysis
- Energy
- Environmental
- Materials
- Soft Materials
- Spectroscopy
- Synthesis
- Biological
- and Computational
Company Website: http://chemistry.lsu.edu
ASSUMPTION: LSU is a large and prestigious university with a strong focus on research and a significant impact on the Louisiana economy.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level to senior-level management position
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Vice President of Communications & University Relations
Work Arrangement: On-site, with potential remote work during emergencies
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential advancement to a higher-level communications or university administration role
- Opportunities to expand the social media team and take on more strategic responsibilities
- Chance to work on high-profile university initiatives and campaigns
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant opportunities for professional growth and development within the university's communications and administration departments.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: On-site, with a potential for remote work during emergencies
Office Location(s): 0101B Lakeshore House, Baton Rouge, LA
Geographic Context:
- LSU is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, a city with a population of approximately 220,000 people
- The university is situated on a 650-acre campus, with numerous historic buildings and modern facilities
- Baton Rouge offers a mix of urban and suburban living, with a relatively low cost of living compared to other major cities in the United States
Work Schedule: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with potential evenings, weekends, or 24-hour shifts during emergencies
ASSUMPTION: LSU offers a dynamic and engaging work environment, with a mix of historic and modern facilities and a diverse student body. The city of Baton Rouge provides a blend of urban and suburban living, with a relatively low cost of living.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- In-person or virtual interview with the hiring panel
- Background check and reference checks
- Job offer
Key Assessment Areas:
- Social media management skills
- Crisis communication experience
- Leadership and team management abilities
- Strategic planning and content creation
- Analytical skills and data-driven decision-making
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant social media management experience and skills
- Prepare examples of your social media content and campaigns, as well as any crisis communication experience
- Research LSU's social media presence and be prepared to discuss potential improvements or strategies
ATS Keywords: Social Media Management, Crisis Communication, Content Creation, Strategic Planning, Team Management, Analytics, Higher Education
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is likely to be competitive, with a strong focus on relevant social media management experience and skills. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with crisis communication and strategic planning.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.)
- Social media analytics tools (Hootsuite, Sprout Social, etc.)
- Content creation and design tools (Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, etc.)
- Project management tools (Asana, Trello, etc.)
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies required for this role may vary depending on LSU's current social media management processes and preferred platforms.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Excellence in all endeavors
- Integrity and honesty in all actions
- Respect for all individuals
- Responsibility for our actions and their consequences
- Diversity and inclusion
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Data-driven and analytical
- Adaptable and responsive to change
- Strong work ethic and commitment to excellence
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you align with LSU's values of excellence, integrity, respect, responsibility, diversity, and inclusion?
- Are you comfortable working in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, with a strong focus on collaboration and teamwork?
- Do you have a strong work ethic and commitment to delivering high-quality work, even under pressure?
ASSUMPTION: LSU values candidates who demonstrate a strong commitment to the university's mission and values, as well as a strong work ethic and a collaborative work style.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple social media accounts with millions of followers can be time-consuming and stressful
- Crisis communication management can be emotionally taxing and require working irregular hours
- Balancing the demands of managing a team, providing guidance to other units, and executing strategic planning can be challenging
- Working in higher education can involve navigating complex organizational structures and political landscapes
ASSUMPTION: This role presents significant challenges, including managing multiple social media accounts, crisis communication, and balancing multiple responsibilities. Candidates should be prepared to work in a fast-paced and sometimes stressful environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique in its focus on managing LSU's main social media accounts and overseeing other LSU-affiliated accounts
- Compared to similar roles in higher education, this position may have a broader scope of responsibilities and a larger team to manage
- Career progression in this role may involve moving into a higher-level communications or university administration position
ASSUMPTION: While this role shares similarities with other social media management positions in higher education, it is unique in its focus on LSU's main social media accounts and the breadth of its responsibilities.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a social media campaign to promote LSU's upcoming commencement ceremony
- Creating and curating content for LSU's social media accounts to celebrate the university's 150th anniversary
- Managing LSU's social media messaging during a natural disaster or other crisis situation
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the range of responsibilities and challenges faced by the Director of Social Media at LSU, from strategic planning and content creation to crisis communication management.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the current social media management processes and tools used at LSU?
- How does the university support the professional development and growth of its social media team members?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the social media team at LSU, and how can this role help address them?
- How does LSU measure the success of its social media campaigns and initiatives?
- What is the work environment like at LSU, and how does the social media team collaborate with other university departments?
ASSUMPTION: These key questions help candidates better understand the role, the team, and the university, allowing them to make an informed decision about their fit for the position.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the LSU job portal
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant social media management experience and skills
- Prepare examples of your social media content and campaigns, as well as any crisis communication experience
- Research LSU's social media presence and be prepared to discuss potential improvements or strategies
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after your interview to express your continued interest in the position
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
