📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Social Media Manager I
🔹 Company: University of Arkansas System
🔹 Location: Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Higher Education
🔹 Date Posted: May 6, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing, coordinating, and implementing the University of Arkansas’ social media strategy
- Managing relationships with audiences and ensuring consistency in voice across various social media platforms
- Collaborating with units across campus and the UREL video and design teams to produce multimedia products
- Serving as the university’s subject-matter expert on social media strategy, storytelling, and marketing
- Growing the university’s social media team to provide the highest level of service to the university and all of its units
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of social media platforms, trends, and best practices, as well as excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Developing and implementing the University of Arkansas’ social media strategy to build brand awareness and enhance the university’s reputation
✅ Managing relationships with audiences and ensuring consistency in voice across various social media platforms
✅ Collaborating with units across campus and the UREL video and design teams to produce multimedia products
✅ Maintaining the university’s primary presence on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and other relevant digital platforms
✅ Listening across platforms to identify and respond to trends and emerging issues
✅ Serving as the university’s subject-matter expert on social media strategy, storytelling, and marketing
✅ Hosting a quarterly social media manager meeting and participating in monthly communicator meetings to share trends, best practices, university strategy, and professional development with campus contributors
✅ Working to grow the university’s social media team, as needed, to provide the highest level of service to the university and all of its units
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of collaboration, problem-solving, and the ability to meet deadlines. The ideal candidate will be able to work independently and in a team environment.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in public relations, journalism, communications, marketing, English, or a related field
Experience: At least two years of related experience in social media content strategy and marketing, social media listening, management, and analysis tools, and basic graphic design, photography, and video production skills
Required Skills:
- Exceptionally strong social media and multimedia storytelling, communicative, and interpersonal skills
- Superb writing, editing, and communication skills with the ability to adapt stories for separate audiences and develop an institutional voice
- Proven ability to take complex topics and explain them in succinct and understandable terms
- Knowledge of the principles and practices of social media and/or public relations
- Knowledge of design and layout techniques
- Ability to work collaboratively, solve problems, and meet deadlines
- Ability to research, organize, and disseminate information
- Ability to maintain files
- Ability to write descriptive and informative narratives
- Ability to use computers to enter data and publish graphic materials
- Ability to create detailed plans that can be deployed by others, if necessary
- Ability to synthesize information
- Ability to be punctual and reliable
Preferred Skills:
- Master’s degree in marketing, journalism, communications, English, or a related field
- Fluency in digital media
- At least two years of experience with crisis communications
- At least two years of experience working in a collaborative environment
- At least two years of supervisory experience
- Customer service experience
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a strong background in social media management, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with various teams across the university.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $56,123 - $65,000 per year (commensurate with education and experience)
Benefits:
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Disability Insurance
- Tuition Waivers for employees and their families
- 12 official holidays
- Immediate leave accrual
- Choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary
Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on the job title, experience level, and location. The actual salary may vary based on the candidate's qualifications and the university's budget.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Higher Education
Company Size: 10,001+ employees
Founded: 1871
Company Description:
- The University of Arkansas System provides communities in Arkansas with access to academic and professional opportunities, develops intellectual growth and cultural awareness in its students, and provides knowledge and research skills to an ever-changing society.
- The system enrolls more than 60,000 students, employs over 17,000 employees, and has a total budget of over $2 billion.
- The University of Arkansas System is a driving force in the state’s economic, educational, and cultural advancement.
Company Specialties:
- Higher Education
- Research
- Academic and Professional Opportunities
Company Website: University of Arkansas System
ASSUMPTION: The University of Arkansas System is a large, comprehensive institution with a wide range of academic and professional opportunities. This role is part of the University Relations division, which focuses on marketing, communications, and public information.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years of experience)
Reporting Structure: Reports to the Director of Integrated Communications
Work Arrangement: On-site, full-time
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to grow the university’s social media team
- Opportunities for professional development and training
- Potential to take on additional responsibilities and advance within the University Relations division
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within the University Relations division and the University of Arkansas System as a whole.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: University campus
Office Location(s): University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Geographic Context:
- Fayetteville is located in northwest Arkansas and is home to the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
- The city is known for its vibrant arts and culture scene, outdoor recreation opportunities, and a strong economy
- Fayetteville is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (with a one-hour lunch break)
ASSUMPTION: The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville campus is a dynamic and engaging work environment, with a diverse student body and a strong sense of community.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening
- On-campus or virtual interview with the hiring manager and team members
- Final interview with the Director of Integrated Communications
- Background check and reference check
- Job offer
Key Assessment Areas:
- Social media strategy and marketing skills
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Cultural fit with the University of Arkansas System and the University Relations division
- Problem-solving and decision-making skills
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Provide specific examples of your social media strategy, marketing, and content development experience
- Demonstrate your understanding of the University of Arkansas System and its mission and values
- Prepare thoughtful questions to ask during the interview to show your interest in the role and the university
ATS Keywords: Social Media Strategy, Marketing, Content Development, Higher Education, University Relations, Public Relations, Communication, Interpersonal Skills, Problem-Solving
ASSUMPTION: The University of Arkansas System uses an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to manage job applications. Including relevant keywords in your resume and cover letter can help your application be found and considered by the hiring team.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Sprout Social
- Canva
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Video editing apps (e.g., iMovie, Adobe Premiere Pro)
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Google Workspace
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience with social media management tools, graphic design software, and video editing applications.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Excellence
- Integrity
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Collaboration
- Accountability
Work Style:
- Collaborative
- Creative
- Data-driven
- Adaptable
- Customer-focused
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have a strong understanding of social media platforms, trends, and best practices?
- Are you able to work collaboratively with various teams across the university?
- Do you have excellent communication and interpersonal skills?
- Are you able to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines?
- Do you have a customer-focused mindset?
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be a strong cultural fit with the University of Arkansas System and the University Relations division, with a collaborative work style and a customer-focused mindset.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple social media platforms and content streams
- Keeping up with rapidly changing social media trends and algorithms
- Balancing the needs and expectations of various campus units and stakeholders
- Working in a fast-paced, dynamic university environment
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be able to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and thrive in a dynamic university environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Social Media Manager or Digital Marketing Manager in other industries, but with a focus on higher education and university branding
- Unlike other industries, higher education social media managers must be familiar with the unique needs and expectations of a university environment
- Career paths for higher education social media managers may include advancement to Director of University Relations or other senior leadership roles within the university
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience in higher education or a related field and be familiar with the unique challenges and opportunities of university social media management.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a comprehensive social media strategy for a university-wide campaign
- Creating and executing a crisis communication plan in response to a campus emergency or negative media attention
- Managing a team of social media interns or ambassadors to support university events and initiatives
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience with social media strategy, crisis communication, and team management in a higher education or related environment.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the biggest challenges facing the University of Arkansas System’s social media presence, and how can this role address them?
- How does this role collaborate with other units across campus, and what are the key priorities for the first 90 days?
- What are the most important qualities and skills for success in this role, according to the hiring manager and team members?
- How does the University of Arkansas System support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this role, and how will success be measured?
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will ask thoughtful, relevant questions to demonstrate their interest in the role and the university.
📌 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 a portfolio or examples of your social media strategy, marketing, and content development experience
- Prepare thoughtful questions to ask during the interview to show your interest in the role and the university
- Follow up with the hiring manager and team members after the interview to express your appreciation and reiterate your interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
