Social Media Specialist

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Social Media Specialist

🔹 Company: Kansas State University Foundation

🔹 Location: Manhattan, KS (onsite)

🔹 Job Type: Regular, Full-Time, Non-Exempt

🔹 Category: Marketing

🔹 Date Posted: May 30, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site (not eligible for remote or hybrid work environments)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Implementing earned, owned, and paid content strategies across various platforms
• Collaborating with content creators and market researchers to develop targeted campaigns
• Analyzing engagement data to guide marketing strategies and ensure effective audience interaction
• Managing social media posting, advertisements, and web content based on marketing plans

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of social media platforms, content creation, and data analysis to drive successful marketing campaigns.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Attend intake meetings and assist with the development of creative briefs. Develop marketing project plans, content maps, and content calendars based on creative briefs.

✅ Collaborate with leadership to establish a social media plan and calendar to share across the organization with campus partners.

✅ Deploy social media posting and advertisements, including targeting and monitoring of response. Enter any audience interactions in an organizational database to ensure appropriate follow-up. Deploy web content based on marketing plans, including search engine optimization and meta-tagging.

✅ Use CRM and audience research to create targeted lists that produce desired results. Analyze engagement data and leverage insights to guide the development and execution of marketing strategies. Identify and present web and social media sentiment data internally, analyzing trends and patterns in behavior.

✅ Use project metrics and key performance indicators to evaluate strategies and adjust as needed.

ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong project management skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively with various teams and stakeholders.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in marketing, advertising, or strategic communications

Experience: 3+ years of professional experience in content strategy and deployment within a creative agency or internal marketing department, leveraging creative briefs and audience research to develop targeted, effective strategies

Required Skills:

• Experience with SEO, keyword search, and project management
• Ability to drive customer-focused marketing initiatives with clear paths to user activation
• Skilled in analytics and reporting tools, including Google Analytics and CRM platforms (i.e., Salesforce)
• Experience in managing content and engagement through social media and content management systems (i.e., Hootsuite, Meta Business Suite, WordPress, etc.)
• Familiar with social listening tools (i.e., Meltwater) for tracking brand sentiment and audience insights

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with enterprise-level content marketing tools (i.e., Marketing Cloud)
• Prior experience utilizing social media to support the acquisition of new donors
• Ability to mentor others to ensure consistency in quality, execution, and accuracy
• Ability to convey information clearly both verbally and in writing
• Proofreading and editing skills, with knowledge of AP Style guidelines

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in higher education fundraising or nonprofit marketing may have an advantage in this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $52,000 - $62,000 annually

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and life insurance coverage
• A 403(b)-retirement plan with a 10% company contribution
• Paid leave, including vacation, sick time, personal days, and six weeks of parental leave
• Tuition assistance and a $300 annual wellness reimbursement
• A flexible work environment that values personal and professional growth

Working Hours: 40 hours per week

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on the job listing and is in line with industry standards for a Social Media Specialist role in the Manhattan, KS area.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: The Kansas State University Foundation operates in the fundraising industry, supporting the university's priorities through philanthropic contributions.

Company Size: The foundation has 51-200 employees, providing a mid-sized work environment with opportunities for collaboration and growth.

Founded: The Kansas State University Foundation was established in 1944 and is a separate, independent entity chartered by the state of Kansas as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit education corporation.

Company Description:

• The foundation is K-State's strategic partner for philanthropy, inspiring and guiding philanthropy toward university priorities to boldly advance K-State.
• Foundation staff members work in close partnership with university administrators, deans, and faculty to secure charitable contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations to support identified priorities for the university and K-State 2025.
• After the money is raised, it must be prudently managed, a function handled by foundation staff members who work under the guidance of an advisory committee of trustees.

Company Specialties:

• Higher education fundraising
• Philanthropy
• Nonprofit
• Accounting
• Finance
• Investments
• Human Resources
• Information Technology
• Volunteer Engagement
• Stewardship
• Real Estate
• Communications
• Marketing
• Event Planning
• Research
• Gift Planning
• Sales
• Corporate Relations
• Foundation Relations
• Annual Giving
• and Compliance

Company Website: https://www.ksufoundation.org/

ASSUMPTION: The Kansas State University Foundation is a well-established organization with a clear mission and a broad range of specialties that support its philanthropic goals.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is suitable for a mid-career professional with 2-5 years of experience in content strategy and deployment within a creative agency or internal marketing department.

Reporting Structure: The Social Media Specialist will report directly to the Marketing and Communications team and collaborate with various departments across the organization.

Work Arrangement: This is an on-site position, with no remote or hybrid work environment options available.

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential career advancement within the marketing and communications department or other departments within the foundation
• Opportunities to develop skills in higher education fundraising and nonprofit marketing
• Possibility to mentor others and contribute to the professional development of team members

ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for career growth and skill development within the organization and the broader fundraising industry.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: The Kansas State University Foundation has an on-site office located in Manhattan, KS.

Office Location(s): 1800 Kimball Avenue, Suite 200, Manhattan, KS 66502

Geographic Context:

• Manhattan, KS is a college town with a population of approximately 55,000 people, providing a vibrant and dynamic work environment.
• The city is home to Kansas State University, which has a significant impact on the local economy and culture.
• Manhattan offers a range of amenities, including parks, museums, and cultural events, as well as a variety of dining and entertainment options.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with a one-hour lunch break. However, the work schedule may vary based on the needs of the department and the organization.

ASSUMPTION: The on-site work environment at the Kansas State University Foundation offers a collaborative and engaging atmosphere, with opportunities for professional growth and development.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission through the company's careers website
• Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
• In-person or virtual interview with the marketing and communications team
• Final interview with the director of marketing and communications

Key Assessment Areas:

• Understanding of social media platforms and content creation
• Data analysis and interpretation skills
• Project management and organizational skills
• Ability to work effectively with various teams and stakeholders
• Communication and presentation skills

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Demonstrate your understanding of the Kansas State University Foundation's mission and values in your application materials
• Prepare examples of your social media campaigns and their results to discuss during the interview

ATS Keywords: Social Media Specialist, Content Strategy, Marketing Initiatives, SEO, Analytics, Project Management, CRM Platforms, Audience Research, Creative Briefs, Engagement Data Analysis, Social Listening Tools, Proofreading, Editing, Marketing Cloud, Donor Acquisition

ASSUMPTION: The application process for the Social Media Specialist role at the Kansas State University Foundation is competitive, and candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their relevant experience and skills throughout the interview process.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Hootsuite
• Meta Business Suite
• WordPress
• Salesforce
• Google Analytics
• Meltwater
• Marketing Cloud (preferred)

ASSUMPTION: The Kansas State University Foundation uses a range of tools and technologies to support its social media and marketing efforts, and candidates should be comfortable working with these platforms.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Integrity
• Excellence
• Stewardship
• Collaboration
• Innovation

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Data-driven and analytical
• Adaptable and responsive to change
• Creative and innovative
• Committed to the foundation's mission and values

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you align with the Kansas State University Foundation's values, particularly integrity and stewardship?
• How comfortable are you working in a collaborative and data-driven environment?
• How do you approach adapting to change and responding to new challenges in your work?

ASSUMPTION: Candidates who demonstrate a strong fit with the Kansas State University Foundation's values and work style will be well-positioned to succeed in this role.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple social media platforms and content creation deadlines
• Analyzing and interpreting data to inform marketing strategies
• Collaborating effectively with various teams and stakeholders across the organization
• Adapting to changes in the marketing and communications landscape

ASSUMPTION: The Social Media Specialist role at the Kansas State University Foundation presents unique challenges that require strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively with various teams and stakeholders.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role differs from other social media specialist positions in that it focuses on higher education fundraising and nonprofit marketing, requiring a strong understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities presented by these sectors.
• Industry-specific context: The Kansas State University Foundation operates in the fundraising industry, supporting the university's priorities through philanthropic contributions.
• Career path comparison: This role can serve as a stepping stone to other marketing and communications positions within the foundation or the broader fundraising industry.

ASSUMPTION: The Social Media Specialist role at the Kansas State University Foundation offers a unique opportunity to gain experience in higher education fundraising and nonprofit marketing, with potential career growth and development in the broader fundraising industry.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a targeted social media campaign to support a specific fundraising initiative
• Analyzing engagement data to inform the development of a content map and content calendar for the organization's website
• Collaborating with content creators and market researchers to develop a comprehensive marketing plan for a new program or initiative

ASSUMPTION: The Social Media Specialist role at the Kansas State University Foundation offers opportunities to work on a range of projects that support the organization's philanthropic goals and contribute to its overall success.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the typical workflow for social media content creation and deployment within the marketing and communications team?
• How does the marketing and communications team collaborate with other departments across the organization to support the foundation's philanthropic goals?
• What opportunities are there for professional growth and development within the marketing and communications department or the broader foundation?
• How does the Kansas State University Foundation approach measuring and evaluating the success of its marketing and communications efforts?
• What is the work environment like at the Kansas State University Foundation, and how does the organization support the well-being and work-life balance of its employees?

ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful and insightful questions during the interview process can help candidates better understand the role, the organization, and the work environment, and demonstrate their interest and engagement in the position.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through the following link: https://recruiting.paylocity.com/Recruiting/Jobs/Details/3309253
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare examples of your social media campaigns and their results to discuss during the interview
• Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the role, the organization, and the work environment
• Follow up with the hiring manager within one week of submitting your application to express your interest in the position

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