Social Media Manager

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Social Media Manager

🔹 Company: Academic Programs International (API)

🔹 Location: West Lake Hills, TX

🔹 Job Type: Full-time, On-site

🔹 Category: Marketing

🔹 Date Posted: April 18, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Remote OK for specific states)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Developing and implementing a comprehensive social media strategy
• Creating, managing, and optimizing paid and unpaid content across various platforms
• Engaging with audiences and building brand awareness
• Collaborating with the marketing team and program alumni
• Monitoring and analyzing social media performance metrics

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of social media platforms, algorithms, and analytics tools, as well as excellent communication and creative skills.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Develop and implement a comprehensive social media strategy to promote study abroad programs and build brand awareness

✅ Create, schedule, and publish engaging and high-quality content tailored to different platforms

✅ Create and manage paid social media advertising campaigns, including budget planning and management, creative posting, and performance tracking

✅ Collaborate with the marketing team to align social media campaigns with broader marketing goals and seasonal, academic calendar

✅ Monitor and analyze social media performance metrics, providing insights and recommendations for optimization

✅ Engage with followers by responding to comments, messages, and inquiries promptly and professionally

✅ Stay updated on social media trends, tools, and best practices to ensure innovative and effective strategies

✅ Coordinate with program alumni, current students, and ambassadors to feature authentic testimonials and user-generated content

✅ Maintain a consistent brand voice and visual identity across all platforms

ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university

Experience: 5+ years experience as a Social Media Manager or similar role, preferably in the education or travel industry

Required Skills:

• Strong understanding of social media platforms, algorithms, and analytics tools
• Excellent writing, editing, and communication skills
• Proficiency in graphic design and video editing tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite) is a plus
• Passion for global education, cultural exchange, and student engagement

Preferred Skills:

• 2-4 years in higher education
• API Travel abroad experience

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with relevant experience and a strong portfolio demonstrating their social media management skills will be highly competitive for this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $60,000 - $65,000 per year (USD)

Benefits:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Paid time off (vacation, sick, and holidays)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee assistance program

Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week. Occasional evenings and weekends may be required to support events and campaigns.

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on industry standards for a Social Media Manager role in the Austin, TX area. Benefits may vary based on the company's current offerings.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Education Administration Programs. API promotes lifelong learning through global experiences, offering study abroad programs, internships, and original programming in over 60 cities across 25 countries.

Company Size: 51-200 employees. As a mid-sized company, API offers a collaborative work environment with opportunities for growth and impact.

Founded: 1997. API has over two decades of experience in international education and cultural exchange.

Company Description:

• API encourages students of all ages to embark on a lifelong experiential educational journey
• Through APIConnect, the company helps colleges, universities, and students create and discover learning experiences
• API sends thousands of students on hundreds of programs both virtually and in more than 60 cities in nearly 25 countries

Company Specialties:

• Study abroad
• International education
• Cultural immersion
• Language instruction
• International internships
• Teach abroad
• Work abroad
• High school programs
• Gap year

Company Website: http://www.apiabroad.com

ASSUMPTION: API's focus on global education and cultural exchange makes it an attractive employer for candidates passionate about these areas.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level. This role requires a proven track record in social media management and a strong understanding of the education or travel industry.

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Marketing Manager and works closely with the marketing team, program alumni, and current students.

Work Arrangement: On-site, with remote work allowed for candidates physically located in specific states (CO, CT, FL, GA, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NC, NJ, OK, OR, PA, SC, TX, UT, VA, VT).

Growth Opportunities:

• Advancement to a Senior Social Media Manager or Marketing Manager role
• Expanding API's social media presence and influence in the global education space
• Gaining experience in international education and cultural exchange

ASSUMPTION: API's focus on growth and innovation provides opportunities for candidates to expand their skills and advance their careers.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: On-site, with remote work allowed for candidates physically located in specific states.

Office Location(s): 301 Camp Craft Road, Suite 100, Austin, TX 78746, US

Geographic Context:

• West Lake Hills is a suburb of Austin, TX, with a population of approximately 3,000 people
• The area offers a mix of urban and suburban living, with easy access to outdoor activities and cultural attractions
• API's headquarters is located in a modern office park with nearby amenities and restaurants

Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week. Occasional evenings and weekends may be required to support events and campaigns.

ASSUMPTION: API's location in the Austin, TX area provides candidates with access to a vibrant tech and education hub, as well as a high quality of life.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Initial phone or video screen to assess communication skills and cultural fit
• In-depth interview with the Marketing Manager and a member of the marketing team to discuss the role and API's mission
• Skills assessment or case study to evaluate the candidate's social media management and creative abilities
• Final interview with the CEO or another senior leader to discuss the company's vision and long-term goals

Key Assessment Areas:

• Social media strategy and planning
• Content creation and storytelling
• Paid advertising and budget management
• Data analysis and reporting
• Cultural fit and alignment with API's mission

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your social media management experience and relevant skills
• Include examples of successful social media campaigns you've managed and the results you achieved
• Demonstrate your passion for global education and cultural exchange in your application materials
• Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about API's mission, company culture, and growth opportunities

ATS Keywords: Social Media Management, Digital Marketing, Content Creation, Paid Advertising, Analytics, Education, Travel Industry, Cultural Exchange, Student Engagement, Brand Awareness, Engagement

ASSUMPTION: API's application process is designed to assess candidates' skills, cultural fit, and alignment with the company's mission and values.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Social media platforms: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube
• Paid advertising platforms: AdWords, Facebook, LinkedIn, IG
• Analytics tools: Google Analytics, Facebook Insights, LinkedIn Analytics, Sprout Social, Hootsuite
• Graphic design and video editing tools: Canva, Adobe Creative Suite

ASSUMPTION: API uses industry-standard tools and platforms for social media management, paid advertising, and analytics. Candidates should be comfortable using these tools and willing to learn new ones as needed.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Student-centered
• Innovative
• Collaborative
• Diverse
• Growth-oriented

Work Style:

• Creative and strategic thinking
• Strong communication and collaboration skills
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills
• Adaptability and flexibility in a fast-paced environment
• Passion for global education and cultural exchange

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you align with API's student-centered approach to education?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you demonstrated innovative thinking in a social media campaign?
• How do you balance creativity and data-driven decision-making in your social media management approach?
• How do you stay organized and manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment?

ASSUMPTION: API values candidates who are passionate about global education, culturally sensitive, and able to thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple social media platforms and campaigns simultaneously
• Keeping up with the fast-paced nature of social media trends and algorithms
• Balancing creativity and data-driven decision-making in social media management
• Collaborating effectively with a remote team and program alumni
• Maintaining a consistent brand voice and visual identity across all platforms

ASSUMPTION: API's social media manager role presents unique challenges that require strong organizational skills, adaptability, and a creative approach to problem-solving.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Unlike other social media manager roles, this position focuses specifically on the education and travel industries
• API's emphasis on global education and cultural exchange sets it apart from other companies in the space
• This role offers the opportunity to work with a diverse range of stakeholders, including students, parents, universities, and program alumni

ASSUMPTION: API's focus on global education and cultural exchange makes this role unique and attractive to candidates passionate about these areas.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a social media campaign to promote API's study abroad programs in a specific region or country
• Creating and managing a paid advertising campaign to target high school students interested in gap year programs
• Collaborating with program alumni to create and share user-generated content that highlights their study abroad experiences

ASSUMPTION: API's social media manager role offers candidates the opportunity to work on a diverse range of projects that showcase their skills and creativity.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How does API support the professional development and growth of its social media manager?
• Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the marketing department?
• How does API foster a culture of innovation and creativity in its social media management approach?
• What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this role, and how are they tracked and reported?
• How does API engage with its audience and build brand awareness across its social media platforms?

ASSUMPTION: API's interview process is designed to assess candidates' skills, cultural fit, and alignment with the company's mission and values, as well as to provide insight into the role and company culture.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your social media management experience and relevant skills
• Prepare examples of successful social media campaigns you've managed and the results you achieved
• Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about API's mission, company culture, and growth opportunities
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.