📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Social Media Manager
🔹 Company: Smith College
🔹 Location: Smith College, Northampton, MA
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Higher Education
🔹 Date Posted: April 9, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and implementing strategic social media communications plans
- Creating and managing engaging content for various social media platforms
- Collaborating with teams across the college to align content with broader communication goals
- Monitoring engagement, responding to comments, and fostering meaningful interactions
- Creating and managing paid advertising campaigns to support strategic goals
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of creativity, strong communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. It also involves occasional evening and weekend work for event coverage.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Direct and implement strategic social media communications plans (60%)
- Create and implement social media strategies and campaigns to grow and engage target audiences.
- Develop, write, design, edit, source, and schedule engaging content for Smith College’s primary social media platforms.
- Collaborate with teams across the college to align content with broader communication goals.
- Maintain a consistent posting schedule that reflects the overall content strategy.
- Develop and manage an editorial calendar to ensure strategic, timely content delivery.
- Oversee creative production to deliver high-quality visuals, videos, and social media assets.
- Monitor engagement, respond to comments and messages, and foster meaningful interactions.
- Create and manage paid advertising campaigns to support strategic goals.
- Write occasional news stories and student profiles for the website.
- Upload videos to YouTube and create captions as needed.
✅ Support, Mentor, Direct and Supervise (20%)
- Recruit, supervise, and creative direct student workers who assist in creating content such as photos, videos, and social media takeovers.
- Serve as the college’s social media expert, providing guidance and support to colleagues managing departmental social media accounts.
- Establish and uphold social media guidelines to ensure consistency in tone, style, and brand representation across all platforms.
✅ Monitoring and Research (10%)
- Track social and online media trends to ensure all communications follow best practices, align with college policies, and meet the institution's evolving needs.
- Stay informed of potential issues and take proactive steps to address and resolve them.
✅ Analytics and Reporting (10%)
- Track and analyze performance metrics across platforms using tools such as Sprout Social and Meta.
- Share insights and reports with the Director of Digital Strategy and Creative Services and other stakeholders across the college.
- Use data-driven insights to refine content strategy and enhance campaign performance.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of social media platforms, marketing and branding principles, and the ability to analyze data to inform decision-making.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Communications, or related Field
Experience: 1 to 5 years of experience in Social Media
Required Skills:
- Proven experience in planning and executing successful social media campaigns that drive engagement and growth.
- Expertise in social platform management tools (e.g., Sprout Social).
- Strong understanding of marketing and branding principles.
- Experience managing paid social media campaigns and tracking performance.
- Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and Canva for content creation.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in higher education or a related field.
- Fluency in a second language.
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in higher education or a related field may have a better understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities presented by this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $50,000 - $65,000 per year (Estimated based on industry standards for a Social Media Manager in the higher education sector in Northampton, MA)
Benefits:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Retirement plan with employer contribution
- Tuition assistance for employees and dependents
- Generous paid time off
- Employee assistance program
Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with occasional evening and weekend work for event coverage
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to employee eligibility requirements.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Higher Education
Company Size: 11-50 employees (Part of the Five Colleges, Inc. consortium)
Founded: 1871 (Smith College)
Company Description:
- Smith College is a private liberal arts college for women, located in Northampton, MA.
- It is a member of the Five Colleges consortium, which includes Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
- The college is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts.
Company Specialties:
- Liberal Arts Education
- Women's Education
- Consortium Collaboration
Company Website: Smith College Website
ASSUMPTION: Smith College is a well-established institution with a strong reputation in the higher education sector. Its membership in the Five Colleges consortium provides unique opportunities for collaboration and resource sharing.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level
Reporting Structure: Reports to the Director of Digital Strategy and Creative Services
Work Arrangement: On-site, with occasional remote work for event coverage
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to advance to a management or leadership role within the College Relations and Communications team.
- Opportunities to collaborate with and learn from colleagues across the college and within the Five Colleges consortium.
- Potential to expand skills and knowledge through professional development opportunities.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within a dynamic and collaborative work environment.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: On-site, with occasional remote work for event coverage
Office Location(s): Smith College, Northampton, MA
Geographic Context:
- Northampton, MA is a vibrant college town with a population of approximately 29,000 people.
- The college is located in a historic and scenic area, with easy access to outdoor recreation and cultural attractions.
- The Five Colleges consortium provides opportunities for collaboration and resource sharing with nearby institutions.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm, with occasional evening and weekend work for event coverage
ASSUMPTION: The work environment is dynamic and collaborative, with opportunities for professional growth and development within a historic and scenic setting.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Initial phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager and a panel of colleagues
- Final interview with the Director of Digital Strategy and Creative Services
Key Assessment Areas:
- Candidates' understanding of social media trends and best practices
- Candidates' ability to create and implement strategic social media campaigns
- Candidates' communication and collaboration skills
- Candidates' ability to analyze data and make data-driven decisions
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role.
- Be prepared to discuss your experience with social media management tools and content creation software.
- Demonstrate your understanding of the higher education sector and the unique challenges and opportunities presented by this role.
ATS Keywords: Social Media Management, Content Creation, Strategic Planning, Collaboration, Analytics, Graphic Design, Photography, Video Production, Editing, Communication, Leadership, Mentoring, Paid Advertising, Trend Monitoring, Data Analysis, Project Management, Attention to Detail
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is competitive, and candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their relevant experience and skills through their resume, cover letter, and interviews.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Sprout Social
- Meta (formerly Facebook) Business Manager
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Canva
- YouTube
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools and technologies is essential for success in this role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Excellence in teaching and research
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Collaboration and community
Work Style:
- Dynamic and collaborative
- Data-driven and strategic
- Creative and innovative
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a dynamic and collaborative work environment?
- Are you comfortable working with data to inform decision-making?
- Do you have a creative and innovative approach to problem-solving?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who are a strong fit for Smith College's values and work style will be most successful in this role.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple social media platforms and content creation deadlines
- Monitoring and responding to social media engagement in a timely manner
- Balancing strategic planning with day-to-day content creation and management
- Occasional evening and weekend work for event coverage
ASSUMPTION: These challenges require strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Social Media Manager or Digital Marketing Specialist in other industries, but with a focus on higher education and the unique challenges and opportunities presented by this sector.
- Compared to other roles in higher education, this position offers opportunities for collaboration and resource sharing through the Five Colleges consortium.
- Career progression in this role may involve advancing to a management or leadership position within the College Relations and Communications team or exploring opportunities within the Five Colleges consortium.
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be prepared to discuss their relevant experience and skills in relation to similar roles in higher education and other industries.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a social media campaign to promote an upcoming campus event
- Creating and managing an editorial calendar to ensure strategic, timely content delivery across multiple social media platforms
- Analyzing performance metrics to refine content strategy and enhance campaign performance
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of responsibilities and skills required for success in this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the biggest challenges facing the College Relations and Communications team in the next year, and how can this role help address them?
- How does this role collaborate with other teams across the college, and what opportunities are there for growth and development within these collaborations?
- What are the most important qualities and skills for success in this role, according to the hiring manager and colleagues?
- How does Smith College support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What is the work environment like, and how does the team support one another in achieving their goals?
ASSUMPTION: These questions demonstrate a candidate's interest in the role, the team, and the college, and provide valuable insights into the work environment and opportunities for growth and development.
📌 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.
- Prepare for your interview by researching Smith College, the Five Colleges consortium, and the higher education sector.
- 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.
