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Social Media Coordinator

Howard University, Washington, DC, United States


The Talent Acquisition department hires qualified candidates to fill positions that contribute to Howard University’s overall strategic success. Hiring staff "for fit" makes significant contributions to Howard University’s overall mission. At Howard University, we prioritize well‑being and professional growth. Here Is What We Offer Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus mental health support Work‑Life Balance: PTO, paid holidays, flexible work arrangements Financial Wellness: Competitive salary, 403(b) with company match Professional Development: Ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement paths Additional Perks: Wellness programs, commuter benefits, and a vibrant company culture The Howard University Institute for Advanced Study (HIAS) engages thinkers and scholars at Howard University, in the country, and around the world in addressing deep and persisting racial inequities in areas including, but not limited to, technology, the environment, healthcare, the economy, governance, education, and the criminal legal system. In addition to a residential fellowship program for intellectuals and a research program, HIAS is home to The Emancipator, an award‑winning nonprofit digital magazine that reimagines the nation’s first abolitionist newspapers for a new day. The Emancipator’s mission, like those who came before us, is to leverage the power of journalism to turn public opinion against racist policies and ideas. Together, HIAS plans to enhance the general public’s understanding of racism and evidence‑based antiracist solutions through research, collaboration, public lectures, workshops, and outreach programs. Job Purpose The Social Media Coordinator acts as a conduit between scholars, researchers, journalists, and the public by creating engaging and impactful social media content that shares the work of HIAS across its programmatic areas. The coordinator creates and posts mission‑focused, sharp, timely, relevant, and well‑produced content, including support for the HIAS Director, its research program and public events, and The Emancipator’s daily news coverage. The role requires high‑output, high‑quality content production and a commitment to HIAS’s mission. The coordinator reports directly to the Chief of Staff/Associate Director of Research and is funded by a one‑year grant, with the possibility of renewal. Supervisory Authority While this role has no direct supervisory authority, the coordinator may mentor student interns and/or student employees and may lead projects that promote HIAS’s mission and goals. Nature And Scope This position will interact with faculty, staff, students, and internal and external contacts. Principal Accountabilities Create and post regular (daily and weekly) content that promotes HIAS’s mission and work Attend and create content for HIAS’s public events Pitch timely, relevant, mission‑aligned content Adhere to operational structure and workflows Adhere to the publishing calendar and cadence Utilize editorial support services such as webpage hosting, photos, videos, Slack, and social media Collaboration And Communication Collaborate with the research team and The Emancipator team on content creation Work with the HIAS Director, Chief of Staff/Associate Director of Research, and the editors of The Emancipator to execute a social media strategy Help maintain a collegial and professional working environment Coordinate with other departments or external partners when necessary and directed Communicate collegially, clearly, and effectively, both in writing and verbally Professional Development And Media Appearances Collaborate with the director and Chief of Staff/Associate Director of Research and, where applicable, Howard University public relations office on media engagement Identify professional development opportunities such as conferences, lectures, and speaking engagements alongside the director and Chief of Staff/Associate Director of Research Core Competencies Technical Proficiency: Highly skilled in high‑impact content creation for a sizable audience across various platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Threads, Bluesky, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Squarespace‑hosted websites Proficient at creating and editing graphics and videos for social media Proficient in CMS, news analytics tools, social media platforms, video and photo databases Skilled in navigating government, public records, and archival databases Attention To Detail Sharp and highly experienced news judgment Meticulous in handling and publishing content Diligent in producing accurate, timely, well‑reported, vetted, and sourced content Organizational Skills Effectively manage time to meet project deadlines Handle multiple tasks and adjust priorities based on project needs Analytical Thinking Offer solutions to workflow challenges and inefficiencies Track, monitor, and analyze user engagement across platforms and report findings to the Chief of Staff/Associate Director of Research and the Managing Editor of The Emancipator Communication Skills Clear and effective written and verbal communication Provide instructions and feedback to students or junior staff Collaborative Skills Work well within a team and contribute to group projects Ability to “manage up” with higher level leadership Adaptability Flexibly adapt to new technologies and methods Continuously learn and seek professional development Handle multiple tasks and adjust priorities as needed Project Management Oversee content from inception to completion Track progress and report on outcomes Minimum Requirements Based in the Washington D.C. metro area Education: Bachelor’s Degree or higher Minimum 3 years of social media content production experience in a newsroom setting Experienced at creating and editing graphics and videos for social media Demonstrated social media production on race and justice editorial content Demonstrated ability to participate on teams of varied sizes—including those that include freelancers/contributors Demonstrated experience in directly producing breaking‑news style social media content Knowledge of digital publishing protocols and analytics Experience with CMS and social media production and digital editing software Strong attention to detail and organization accuracy with record‑keeping Troubleshooting and problem‑solving expertise Demonstrated initiative to work self‑directed yet with a collaborative style Strong verbal and written communication skills Compliance Salary Range Disclosure: Expected Salary: $70,000 Compensation Range: $60,000 - $70,000 #J-18808-Ljbffr