📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Social Media Manager
🔹 Company: Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)
🔹 Location: Richmond, VA
🔹 Job Type: Part-Time
🔹 Category: Marketing & Communications
🔹 Date Posted: April 18, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: Entry to Mid-Level (0-2 years)
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
The College of Engineering at VCU seeks a creative and strategic Social Media Manager to support its growing marketing and communications efforts. This role requires a strong writer with a sharp eye for digital storytelling, particularly on Instagram. You'll work closely with our video team to create content that highlights student success, faculty research, campus culture, and engineering innovations.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Content Creation & Curation:
- Write and schedule engaging posts for Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and X (Twitter)
- Develop and post Instagram Reels in collaboration with our student/staff video team
- Repurpose video and photo content into platform-specific stories and reels
✅ Event Coverage & Storytelling:
- Attend or assign coverage for student events, research stories, and engineering activities
✅ Content Strategy & Planning:
- Monitor engagement and identify trends to inform content strategy
- Coordinate with communications team and other college stakeholders to develop and maintain a social content calendar and ensure timely posting
✅ Growth & Engagement:
- Assist in growing followers and engagement in alignment with recruitment goals
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field (preferred)
Experience:
- Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with a diverse population (required)
- One year of professional experience managing or contributing to social media for a brand, nonprofit, agency, or educational institution (internships or freelance work may count) (preferred)
Required Skills:
- Strong writing and editing skills with a clear, concise voice
- Experience creating Instagram Reels or TikTok videos
- Comfortable using social media scheduling and analytics tools (Social Sprout is a plus)
- Familiarity with Canva, CapCut, or similar tools (a plus)
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and work independently
- Interest in science, engineering, or higher education (a bonus)
- Experience with social media marketing (e.g., boosted posts, Meta ads, YouTube ads, etc.) (a plus)
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $19.00 - $21.00 per hour
- *Assumption: The salary range is competitive for part-time roles in the Richmond, VA area, with a focus on marketing and communications.*
Benefits:
- Access to employee benefits as a part-time employee of VCU (details available upon request)
Working Hours: 30 hours per week, with flexibility to attend events and meetings as needed
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Higher Education
- *Assumption: The College of Engineering at VCU is part of a larger university system, focusing on engineering education and research.*
Company Size: Medium (201-500 employees)
- *Assumption: As part of VCU, the College of Engineering offers a mid-sized work environment with ample opportunities for collaboration and growth.*
Founded: 1996 (College of Engineering)
- *Assumption: VCU itself was founded in 1838, with the College of Engineering established more recently to focus on innovative, real-world engineering education.*
Company Description:
- The College of Engineering at VCU brings innovative, real-world engineering education to Central Virginia, enrolling over 1,900 undergraduate and 335 graduate students in several degree programs.
- As part of a premier research university known for tenacity, love of the city of Richmond, and commitment to diversity and access, the College of Engineering values the significant and positive impact of its people and ideas in promoting regional and global prosperity involving research and life sciences.
Company Specialties:
- Engineering education
- Research and development in engineering fields
- Student success and faculty research storytelling
Company Website:
https://egr.vcu.edu/
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Entry to Mid-Level
- *Assumption: This role is suitable for recent graduates or professionals with up to 2 years of experience in social media management or a related field.*
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Dean's Office of the College of Engineering.
- *Assumption: The Social Media Manager will work closely with the communications team, video team, and other college stakeholders to develop and maintain a social content calendar.*
Work Arrangement: On-site, with flexibility to attend events and meetings as needed
- *Assumption: This role requires a presence on campus to attend events, collaborate with teams, and capture content.*
Growth Opportunities:
- Opportunities to grow within the communications and marketing department at VCU
- Potential to expand responsibilities based on performance and interest
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: On-site, with a focus on collaboration and teamwork
- *Assumption: The Social Media Manager will work closely with various teams within the College of Engineering to create engaging content.*
Office Location(s): Richmond, VA
- *Assumption: The primary office location is on the VCU campus in Richmond, VA.*
Geographic Context:
- Richmond, VA is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia and is known for its rich history, vibrant arts scene, and diverse cultural offerings.
- The VCU campus is located in the heart of Richmond, providing easy access to various amenities and attractions.
Work Schedule: 30 hours per week, with flexibility to attend events and meetings as needed
- *Assumption: The Social Media Manager's schedule may vary depending on event coverage and content creation needs.*
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
1. Online application submission
2. Phone or video screening
3. In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager and/or team members
4. Final decision and offer
Key Assessment Areas:
- Writing and editing skills
- Creativity and storytelling abilities
- Knowledge of social media platforms and trends
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Showcase your portfolio or examples of your social media content creation and management experience
- Prepare questions about the role, team, and College of Engineering to demonstrate your interest and engagement
ATS Keywords: Social Media Management, Content Creation, Digital Storytelling, Writing, Editing, Instagram Reels, Video Production, Analytics, Engagement Monitoring, Content Strategy, Branding, Marketing, Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, Time Management
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Social media platforms: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X (Twitter)
- Social media scheduling and analytics tools: Social Sprout (preferred), Hootsuite, Buffer, etc.
- Graphic design tools: Canva, CapCut, Adobe Express, etc.
- Video editing tools: CapCut, iMovie, Adobe Premiere Pro, etc.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Tenacity: VCU is known for its tenacity and commitment to overcoming challenges
- Love of the city of Richmond: The College of Engineering values its location in Richmond and the opportunities it provides for collaboration and growth
- Commitment to diversity and access: VCU is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of its operations
Work Style:
- Collaborative: The Social Media Manager will work closely with various teams within the College of Engineering to create engaging content
- Creative: This role requires a strong writer with a sharp eye for digital storytelling and the ability to think outside the box
- Adaptable: The Social Media Manager must be able to manage multiple tasks and work independently, with the ability to adapt to changing priorities and deadlines
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with VCU's commitment to diversity and access in your previous experiences or future goals?
- How comfortable are you working in a collaborative environment and managing multiple tasks and priorities?
- How do you approach creating engaging content for social media platforms, and how have you demonstrated this skill in previous roles or projects?
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Balancing multiple responsibilities and deadlines
- Adapting to a university environment with various stakeholders and priorities
- Maintaining a consistent and engaging social media presence across multiple platforms
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to other social media manager positions in higher education, with a focus on storytelling, content creation, and engagement.
- Unlike some roles in the private sector, this position may require a greater emphasis on event coverage and storytelling to highlight student success and faculty research.
- Career paths in higher education may include opportunities to grow within the communications and marketing department or explore other roles within the university.
📝 Sample Projects
- Creating an Instagram Reel to highlight a student's research project or achievement
- Developing a series of posts to showcase the College of Engineering's facilities and resources
- Collaborating with the video team to create a Facebook Live event or LinkedIn video series featuring faculty research or student success stories
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the overall communications and marketing strategy for the College of Engineering?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the College of Engineering in the next year, and how can this role help address them?
- How does the College of Engineering support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What are the expectations for growth and advancement in this role, and how does the College of Engineering support employees in achieving their career goals?
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
1. Submit your application through
this link
2. Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
3. Prepare questions about the role, team, and College of Engineering to demonstrate your interest and engagement
4. Follow up with the hiring manager, Mia Smith, at
smithmo3@vcu.edu one week after submission to confirm receipt of your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
