Public Relations & Social Media Specialist

Job Title: Public Relations & Social Media Specialist

Department: Marketing & University Relations

Reports To: Chief Marketing Officer

Job Type: This is a full time, exempt position.

General Description:

The Public Relations & Social Media Specialist is responsible for planning, developing, and implementing University PR, and Social Media strategies and activities. This position ensures that all communications are high quality, share a consistent message and are executed with a strong creative eye and clear business purpose. This is an entry to mid-level position that reports directly to the University Director of Marketing and requires excellent written and verbal communication skills, and well-developed creative and analytical skills. This is a wonderful opportunity for a motivated, career-driven professional looking to further their career and build their skills as a PR and Social Media practitioner.

The ideal candidate is a forward-thinker who is aware of current trends, is an organized, and detail-oriented self-starter with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines. Candidate must be able to work independently and collaborate with all members of the marketing team to ensure work meets the needs of the involved university departments.

Salary Range: $40,000 - $45,000

IMPORTANT: Please include a link to your portfolio when applying for this position.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Public Relations:

• Responsible for creating and implementing a comprehensive communications and public relations program designed to enhance the University’s profile, image and position within the marketplace and with the public at large.
• Responsible for all University communications and public relations activities, including media relations, managing the University news site and developing content for selected University publications, while closely assisting with University marketing and internal communications.
• Work closely with University Director of Marketing and key administrators to develop public relations and internal communication initiatives that support undergraduate enrollment, graduate enrollment, university advancement, alumni relations, special projects and events.
• Serve as the University’s media spokesperson under the guidance of University Director of Marketing.
• Responsible for development of all media messaging, writing news releases, and managing all media relations strategies and execution.
• Oversee operation of the University news site, including creating content and repurposing news site stories on the University’s social media platforms.
• Serve as editor of the University’s official alumni magazine and parents’ newsletter.
• Work closely with the University Director of Marketing to ensure alignment between public relations and marketing initiatives.
• Ensure articulation of the University’s desired image and position with a consistent institutional message that transmits the University’s mission, vision and values to all constituencies.
• Coordinate media interest in the University and ensure regular contact with target media and appropriate response to media requests.
• Serve as chief planner of University media events, such as public announcements, groundbreakings and ribbon-cuttings.
• Keep informed of developments in the fields of communications and public relations and use this information to help the University operate with initiative and innovation.
• Monitor media coverage. Execute sentiment analysis of media coverage.
• Possess a high level of skill in public speaking as well as presentation.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Social Media:

• Oversee and facilitate the University’s presence, messaging and news initiatives on social media channels.
• Develop highly creative, attention-getting content ideas and oversee creation and posting of same.
• Monitor post performance across all social channels.
• Assist University departments such as Admissions, Academic Affairs, Recruitment, Development, etc. in the promotion of their programs and activities across various social channels.
• Develop social media content strategy and oversee execution of content for University social feeds including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn and others.
• Report monthly on social media KPIs to optimize reach and performance.
• Serve as a campus photographer and videographer when necessary, including editing and archiving assets for social marketing and public relations purposes.
• Contribute to brainstorming meetings and the development of new ideas.
• Assist in developing, editing, and proofreading marketing content.
• Conduct research to stay abreast of digital marketing best practices as well as consumer and content trends in higher education.
• Contribute written content for University-focused promotional videos.
• Perform other related duties as needed.

Position Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, journalism or public relations preferred.
  Graduate degree in a related field is strongly desirable.
• Required minimum of 3 - 5 years demonstrated success in creating and leading a public relations and social media program for a complex organization.
• Strong creative, strategic, analytical, organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Public and media relations leadership experience is required.
• Knowledge of, and experience with, local news media highly preferred.
• Ability to work collaboratively and cooperatively with a variety of constituents and colleagues.
• Experience in higher education strongly preferred.
• Experience with WordPress desired.

Typical Physical Demands:

• Ability to communicate effectively with news media and colleagues by phone and in person
• Ability to lift 10 pounds.
• Ability to manage vendor relations and represent the University at community events.
• Expert ability to read, write and speak the English language.
• Ability to sit for long periods of time.
• Ability to travel by car or air as required.
• Ability to draft thoughtful and error-free correspondence as required.
• Ability to talk on phone for long periods of time.
• Ability to comprehend written guidelines.
• Ability to manage multiple projects at a time under tight deadlines.

Work Schedule:

This is a full-time, 12 month (continuous), benefit-eligible exempt position that sometimes requires more than 40 hours per week. Must be able and willing to work evenings and/or weekends; there may be some overnight travel. Must be able to reliably commute to work in person.

WWU provides employees and their dependents with an opportunity to enroll in undergraduate, master’s or doctoral coursework for credit at the university at a free or reduced cost. Employees interested in undergraduate degrees are eligible upon completion of three months of service. Master’s or doctoral (including EDS) level degrees begin upon completion of six months of service.

William Woods University is an independent institution chartered by the State of Missouri with main campus facilities in Fulton, MO. It has been operating continuously since 1870, taking its current form as a coeducational university with undergraduate and graduate programs in 1993. Today, William Woods draws approximately 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students from 35 states and approximately 11 foreign countries. William Woods has been ranked as a Top 100 Midwest University by U.S. News and World Report, and has been recognized for the quality and affordability of its online degree programs. With a full liberal arts curriculum, William Woods also offers a strong professional tradition, with nationally ranked programs in Equestrian Studies and American Sign Language. Its graduate education program figures strongly in the administration and leadership of Missouri's state school system. William Woods University is governed by a self-perpetuating board of trustees, and remains committed to serving the public good by helping students link intellectual development with the responsibilities of citizenship and professional life.

William Woods University is an Equal Opportunity Employer