📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Social Content Specialist - University of Iowa
🔹 Company: LEARFIELD
🔹 Location: Coralville, IA
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Marketing & Communications
🔹 Date Posted: April 3, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: Entry-Level (0-2 years)
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading the creation of branded social media content for corporate partners
- Collaborating with athletic department content teams and local sales staff
- Managing various social media accounts and producing content for live events
- Evaluating performance analytics to improve content performance and engagement
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of college sports, social media platforms, and creative production. Previous experience in sports industry and/or college athletics is preferred but not required.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead creation of branded social media content, including NIL content, for local property sales staff to drive revenue opportunities for Learfield
✅ Assist in daily management of various social media accounts, including scheduling of postings for photo galleries, motion graphics, video production, events, event promotion, fan interaction, and promotional activities
✅ Assist in the creation of content for various social media platforms including but not limited to multimedia audio/video, animation, graphics, and sponsorable content
✅ Act as a liaison between athletic department content team, Learfield local sales teams and national sales
✅ Collaborate closely with athletic department content teams to create branded content in the defined voice and tone of each social media account
✅ Evaluate, interpret, and decode performance analytics for the purposes evaluating content performance, fan/follower growth strategies, and improving community engagement
✅ Expected to attend live events and produce social content in-game
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong communication, collaboration, and project management skills to balance multiple projects and deadlines.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in a related field of study (preferred)
Experience: Minimum 1-year experience successfully working in a creative production environment
Required Skills:
- Proficient understanding of social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat)
- Ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
- Proven ability to collaborate with other content creators and stakeholders
- Creative and strategic in nature with the ability to think outside the box and articulate “big ideas”
- Unquestioned integrity and trustworthiness. Adherence to Learfield, university, conference, and NCAA rules and regulations
Preferred Skills:
- Advanced knowledge of graphic, motion design, photography, and video editing/production (including Adobe Creative Cloud)
- Previous experience in sports industry and ideally in college athletics
- Previous experience working with a sales team
- Knowledge of the NIL landscape
ASSUMPTION: While a bachelor's degree is preferred, relevant experience and a strong portfolio may be considered in lieu of a degree.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $35,000 - $45,000 per year (based on entry-level marketing roles in Iowa and the company's size)
Benefits:
- Medical, Dental, Vision, Health Savings Account, Life Insurance, and Other Insurance Plans
- Flexible Paid Time Off (including Parental Leave)
- Paid Holidays
- 401(k)
- Short/Long Term Disability
Working Hours: Full-time, typically Monday-Friday, with occasional evenings and weekends for live events
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for entry-level marketing roles in Iowa. Actual compensation may vary based on experience and performance.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: LEARFIELD operates in the spectator sports industry, focusing on college sports and live events. The company offers a wide range of services, including multimedia rights management, brand management, marketing programs, data-driven solutions, and ticketing/fundraising services.
Company Size: LEARFIELD is a mid-sized company with 1,001-5,000 employees. This size allows for ample opportunities for growth and collaboration while maintaining a manageable work environment.
Founded: LEARFIELD was founded in 1972 and has since grown to become a leading provider of sports marketing and multimedia rights management services.
Company Description:
- LEARFIELD connects fans to the brands and experiences they love in sports and live events
- The company offers a full spectrum of benefits for eligible employees, including medical, dental, vision, and retirement plans
- LEARFIELD is an equal opportunity employer, providing equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious practices, national origin, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, status as a protected veteran or spouse/family member of a protected veteran, or disability
Company Specialties:
- Media, data, and technology services
- College sports and live events
- Brand management and marketing programs
- Multimedia rights strategies
- NIL expertise and ticketing/fundraising services
Company Website: https://www.learfield.com/
ASSUMPTION: LEARFIELD's focus on college sports and live events provides a unique and engaging work environment for applicants passionate about sports and marketing.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is an entry-level position, ideal for recent graduates or individuals with up to 2 years of experience in creative production or a related field.
Reporting Structure: The Social Content Specialist will report directly to the local property sales staff embedded within the athletic department's digital, marketing, and/or creative team(s).
Work Arrangement: This is an on-site position, with occasional remote work possible for certain tasks. The role requires attendance at live events, which may occur evenings and weekends.
Growth Opportunities:
- Gaining experience in the sports industry and college athletics
- Developing skills in social media management, content creation, and analytics
- Potential advancement to mid-level or senior roles within the company's marketing and communications department
ASSUMPTION: This role offers ample opportunities for professional growth and development within the company and the broader sports industry.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: LEARFIELD's office in Coralville, IA, is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster creativity and productivity.
Office Location(s): 2400 Dallas Parkway, Suite 500, Plano, TX 75093 (headquarters); 2101 Green Hills Drive, Suite 200, Coralville, IA 52241 (University of Iowa office)
Geographic Context:
- The University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, IA, with a population of approximately 75,000 people
- Coralville, IA, is a suburb of Iowa City, offering a mix of urban and rural living with a population of around 20,000 people
- The area is known for its vibrant arts and culture scene, as well as its strong sports culture, with the University of Iowa Hawkeyes being a significant local attraction
Work Schedule: Full-time, typically Monday-Friday, with occasional evenings and weekends for live events. The role may require working some holidays and weekends, depending on the athletic department's schedule.
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with varying hours, particularly during live events.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- In-person or virtual interview with the local property sales staff and athletic department representatives
- Final interview with the local property sales manager
Key Assessment Areas:
- Creative portfolio and storytelling abilities
- Understanding of social media platforms and analytics
- Collaboration and communication skills
- Adaptability and problem-solving skills
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Include a portfolio showcasing your creative work, with a focus on social media content and storytelling
- Prepare examples of how you've driven engagement and results through social media content in previous roles
- Research LEARFIELD, the University of Iowa, and the local sports market to demonstrate your enthusiasm and knowledge of the industry
ATS Keywords: Social Media, Video Editing, Graphic Design, Motion Design, Photography, Creative Storytelling, Content Creation, Collaboration, Analytics, Engagement Strategies, NIL Knowledge, Fast-paced Environment, Integrity, Trustworthiness, Branding, Marketing
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should tailor their resumes and cover letters to include relevant keywords from the job description to increase their chances of being selected for an interview.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Premiere Pro, After Effects, Illustrator)
- Social media management platforms (Hootsuite, Sprout Social, Buffer)
- Analytics tools (Google Analytics, Sprout Social, Hootsuite Insights)
- Project management tools (Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be comfortable learning and using new tools and technologies as needed for the role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Build trust
- Be fans of one another
- Power tomorrow
- Create & connect communities
- Have fun
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Adaptable and responsive to change
- Creative and innovative
- Data-driven and analytical
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you share LEARFIELD's company values, and how have you demonstrated these values in previous roles?
- How do you stay organized and manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt to a significant change or challenge in a previous role?
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should consider how their personal values and work style align with LEARFIELD's company culture and values when applying for this role.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- Adapting to the unique culture and demands of college athletics
- Balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders, including the athletic department, local property sales staff, and corporate partners
- Keeping up with the ever-changing landscape of social media platforms and trends
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be prepared to address these potential challenges in their application materials and interviews.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Social Media Coordinator or Content Creator, but with a focus on branded content for corporate partners in the college sports industry
- Unlike other social media roles, this position requires a strong understanding of college sports and the ability to work closely with athletic department content teams
- Career progression in this role could lead to mid-level or senior positions within LEARFIELD's marketing and communications department or other sports marketing agencies
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should research similar roles and consider how their skills and experiences make them a strong fit for this specific position within the college sports industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Creating a social media campaign to promote an upcoming athletic event, including graphics, videos, and posts for various platforms
- Analyzing social media performance data to identify trends and opportunities for improvement, and presenting findings to the local property sales staff and athletic department representatives
- Collaborating with the athletic department content team to create branded content that aligns with the voice and tone of each social media account
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be prepared to discuss their experience with similar projects and how they've approached them in previous roles.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the overall marketing and communications strategy for the University of Iowa athletic department and LEARFIELD?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does LEARFIELD support the growth and development of its employees in this role?
- What are the most challenging aspects of working with college athletics, and how can this role help address those challenges?
- How does LEARFIELD measure the success of this role, and what key performance indicators (KPIs) will be used to track progress?
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should prepare thoughtful questions that demonstrate their interest in the role and the company, as well as their understanding of the industry and the unique demands of college athletics.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role, including specific examples of your social media content creation and management experience
- Prepare a portfolio showcasing your creative work, with a focus on social media content and storytelling
- Prepare examples of how you've driven engagement and results through social media content in previous roles
- Research LEARFIELD, the University of Iowa, and the local sports market to demonstrate your enthusiasm and knowledge of the industry
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
