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Social Media Specialist

William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA, United States


Job Requisition:

JR101508 Social Media Specialist (Open) Job Posting Title:

Social Media Specialist Department:

CC00253 WM001 | WMUA | University Communications Job Family:

Staff - Communications Worker Sub-Type:

Regular (benefited) Job Requisition Primary Location:

Discovery 2 Primary Job Posting Location:

William & Mary

Job Description Summary Mission Statement: University Advancement creates the conditions for opportunity - human, financial & experiential - by garnering and stewarding the resources that advance William & Mary.

University Communications (UC) serves as William & Mary's central communications office, comprising three teams: Media Relations, Web Development & Strategy, and Content & Strategy. The Media Relations Team includes the university spokesperson and leads national media outreach, response, strategy, and emergency communications. The Web Development & Strategy Team supports campus digital and web communications. The Content & Strategy Team leads public relations strategy, content strategy, communications planning, storytelling, internal communications, and social media. UC coordinates closely with University Marketing and associated groups.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Social Media, the Social Media Specialist fosters meaningful interactions across William & Mary's social media platforms, building relationships with audiences at every phase of their journey. The role focuses on community management, engagement, and cultivating a vibrant, inclusive online community.

The specialist proactively engages audiences to strengthen community and brand loyalty, identifies user-generated content and storytelling opportunities, and monitors conversations across platforms. Responsibilities include responding to comments and messages, moderating discussions, tracking engagement trends, and ensuring a consistent voice aligned with university brand guidelines.

Hybrid position based in Williamsburg, VA, offering a flexible work environment.

Job Details Salary: $48,000 to $53,000 commensurate with experience and internal alignment.

Application Requirements A resume and cover letter are required for this position.

Required Qualifications

Experience managing social media communities in a professional or organizational setting (2+ years).

Strong written communication and interpersonal skills.

Familiarity with social media platforms (LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Threads, Bluesky, X).

Ability to handle sensitive or critical interactions with professionalism and empathy.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in higher education, nonprofit, or mission-driven organizations.

Familiarity with social listening tools and engagement analytics.

Knowledge of community management best practices and online moderation.

Understanding of digital accessibility and inclusive communication practices.

Conditions of Employment

This is a non-exempt position, eligible to receive overtime in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act. This position may be subject to overtime during high peak times and other duties as directed and approved by the supervisor.

This position is subject to additional hours beyond the typical workday/week, including evenings and weekends.

Position Duties 75% - Community Management

Build positive relationships with digital audiences at every phase of their relationship with the university.

Assist with answering community questions on our social media, especially prospective students and their families.

Find opportunities for William & Mary to tap into new digital conversations and curate user-generated content.

Monitor and moderate social media conversations about William & Mary and surface key insights to internal stakeholders.

Serve as an on-call representative for emergencies and other after-hours needs on a rotating basis with other members of the office.

Proactively engage with audiences across social media platforms to build community and brand loyalty.

Identify user-generated content and community story opportunities.

Monitor, listen and respond to comments, messages and mentions across social media platforms while informing stakeholders of potential issues or crises and making recommendations to guide content development efforts.

Moderate discussions to ensure a respectful and inclusive environment in line with written social media community guidelines.

Support the growth of social media audiences through strategic engagement.

Track and report on engagement trends and audience sentiment.

Maintain a consistent voice and tone across platforms in alignment with university brand guidelines.

15% - Social Media Content

Develop messages across multiple platforms in alignment with the university's content and brand strategies and in compliance with the university's social media guidelines.

Execute social media best practices for managing and developing creative content for university-level social media platforms.

Ensure consistency with the university's brand and visual identity standards.

5% - Project Management

Collaborate on projects and events with university partners, including University Marketing, University Events, Undergraduate Admission, Alumni Association, and Tribe Athletics and the professional and graduate schools.

Participate as a member of multiple project teams, effectively applying project management principles.

Assist with project management as part of the University Communications social media team.

5% - Social Media Analytics

Track and analyze social media influence measurements to better inform William & Mary's social media engagement efforts and content strategies.

Assist with the production of analytical reports for university stakeholders.

Remote Work Disclaimer Remote work eligibility is not guaranteed and is subject to approval. Employee eligibility depends on the likelihood of the employee succeeding in a remote work arrangement and the supervisor's ability to manage remote workers.

Background Check William & Mary is committed to providing a safe campus community. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and, when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.

EEO Statement EEO is the Law. William & Mary is an equal opportunity employer. For more information, see the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission “Know Your Rights” poster.

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