Senior Manager, Social & Digital Strategy
Howard University · The Oliver · $85,000–$95,000 (stated in the posting)
The Talent Acquisition department hires qualified candidates to fill positions which contribute to the overall strategic success of Howard University. 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
Join Howard University and thrive with us!
https://hr.howard.edu/benefits-wellness
BASIC FUNCTIONS:
Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Multimedia and Digital Communications, the Senior Manager of Social & Digital Strategy supports the day-to-day development, execution, optimization, and measurement of Howard University’s social media and digital communications strategies. The position translates institutional priorities, leadership messages, news, events, research, student and alumni stories, and other University initiatives into compelling, integrated digital content that strengthens Howard University’s brand visibility, reputation, engagement, and connection with key audiences.The Senior Manager serves as a strong strategic and operational partner to the Assistant Vice President of Multimedia and Digital Communications, helping to shape the University’s digital editorial direction, content calendar, platform strategy, campaign execution, and multimedia storytelling. The role works collaboratively across the Office of University Communications (OUC) and with campus partners to ensure that social and digital content is timely, accurate, audience-centered, visually compelling, and consistent with University priorities and brand standards.
SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY:
Supervise and provide strategic direction to the Digital Media Coordinator, student interns, student workers, and external digital media vendor partners.
NATURE AND SCOPE:
Work in close collaboration with the Assistant Vice President of Multimedia and Digital Communications, the Social Media Strategist, University lead photographer, videographers, OUC colleagues, and other communications staff. Coordinate digital content planning, production schedules, assignments, approvals, expenditures, and publishing workflows across multiple platforms and contributors.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:
SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGY & CONTENT DEVELOPMENT
- Collaborate with Division and OUC leadership and lead development and execution integrated social media strategies that advance University priorities, strengthen Howard University’s brand and reputation, and increase meaningful engagement with students, faculty, staff, alumni, prospective students, media, partners, and other key audiences.
- Develop platform-specific strategies, editorial calendars, campaigns, and content plans for the University’s primary social and digital channels.
- Write, edit, and optimize social media copy, captions, campaign messaging, executive social content, promotional copy, calls to action, and other digital communications in a voice consistent with Howard University’s brand.
- Translate institutional news, academic and research achievements, leadership priorities, events, student experiences, alumni accomplishments, and cultural moments into engaging social-first storytelling.
- Identify opportunities for proactive, timely, and culturally relevant content while exercising sound editorial judgment and protecting the University’s reputation.
- Monitor platform changes, audience behaviors, emerging formats, and social media best practices and recommend adjustments to content and channel strategies.
MULTIMEDIA CONTENT PLANNING & EDITORIAL DIRECTION
- Collaborate closely with the Assistant Vice President of Multimedia and Digital Communications to establish multimedia priorities, editorial direction, campaign strategies, and production plans aligned with institutional communications goals.
- Coordinate content production schedules and assignments with the University’s lead photographer, videographers, digital media vendors, student content creators, and other creative partners to ensure consistent and timely delivery of multimedia assets.
- Develop creative briefs, scripts, interview questions, story treatments, shot lists, social copy, and other editorial materials for photography, video, short-form social content, executive communications, campaigns, and special projects.
- Provide editorial direction for multimedia content creation, including identifying story angles, key messages, audiences, tone, sequencing, and platform-specific approaches.
- Partner with photographers and videographers during pre-production, production, and post-production to ensure visual content supports the intended narrative, institutional priorities, and University brand.
- Maintain an integrated digital and multimedia content calendar that coordinates major University events, announcements, observances, campaigns, leadership activities, and evergreen storytelling opportunities.
- Review multimedia content and digital assets for editorial quality, message alignment, accessibility, brand consistency, and readiness for publication.
DIGITAL CAMPAIGNS & BRAND AMPLIFICATION
- Develop and execute integrated digital campaigns that amplify University announcements, signature events, institutional priorities, academic and research excellence, student success, alumni impact, and thought leadership.
- Collaborate with OUC colleagues to extend earned media, editorial content, executive communications, photography, and video storytelling across social and digital platforms.
- Support paid and organic digital campaign strategies, including audience targeting, content sequencing, campaign optimization, and performance assessment.
- Ensure social and digital content adheres to University brand standards, editorial standards, accessibility requirements, and communications protocols.
DATA, ANALYTICS & REPORTING
- Establish, track, and analyze key performance indicators across social and digital platforms, including reach, engagement, audience growth, traffic, conversions, sentiment, and campaign performance.
- Prepare regular performance reports, dashboards, and actionable insights for the Assistant Vice President, Vice President and Chief Communications Officer, and other University leadership as appropriate.
- Use analytics and audience insights to optimize content strategy, publishing cadence, creative formats, campaigns, and resource allocation.
- Monitor social listening platforms and digital conversations for emerging issues, reputational risks, opportunities, and trends; escalate significant issues in accordance with OUC protocols.
AUDIENCE INSIGHTS & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
- Use audience segmentation, platform analytics, market research, and social listening insights to tailor messaging and improve engagement with priority audiences.
- Develop approaches that encourage meaningful digital community engagement while maintaining appropriate institutional voice and standards.
- Identify emerging audience needs, content interests, and opportunities to strengthen the University’s digital relationships.
COLLABORATION & PROJECT MANAGEMENT
- Serve as a strong collaborative partner to the Assistant Vice President of Multimedia and Digital Communications in advancing the strategic, creative, and operational priorities of the Multimedia and Digital Communications team.
- Work collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, administrators, University leadership, schools, colleges, and administrative units to identify stories, develop content, and coordinate digital amplification.
- Coordinate with OUC media relations, editorial, creative services, internal communications, and leadership communications functions to support integrated storytelling and message alignment.
- Manage multiple digital and multimedia projects simultaneously, establishing timelines, deliverables, assignments, approvals, and publishing schedules.
- Participate in cross-campus communications social and digital content planning and education efforts that strengthen social media governance, digital alignment, and institutional brand consistency.
BUDGET & VENDOR COORDINATION
- Assist in managing social and digital campaign budgets, production expenses, and vendor resources, tracking expenditures and supporting effective stewardship of University resources.
- Coordinate and manage agency, digital media, production, freelance, and other vendor partners to ensure projects are delivered on schedule, within scope, and to established quality standards.
- Evaluate vendor performance and recommend resources, tools, and services that strengthen digital communications capabilities.
OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE & INNOVATION
- Develop and maintain documented workflows, editorial processes, content standards, publishing protocols, and best practices for social and digital communications.
- Stay current on emerging technologies, generative AI, social platforms, digital tools, content formats, and industry best practices, and recommend responsible opportunities for adoption.
- Support continuous improvement of digital communications operations, collaboration, content quality, and audience experience.
- Perrform other duties as assigned.
CORE COMPETENCIES:
- A record of progressively responsible communications, digital strategy, social media, or marketing roles within large, highly complex organizations, preferably in higher education, nonprofit, agency, or nationally recognized brand environments.
- Demonstrated experience developing and executing integrated social media and digital communications strategies that advance organizational priorities and strengthen brand reputation.
- Exceptional writing and editing skills, with demonstrated ability to develop concise, compelling, platform-appropriate social media and digital copy, scriptwriting, editorial planning and creative briefings, and
- Experience providing editorial direction for photography, video, and multimedia content and coordinating photographers, videographers, content creators, agencies, freelancers, and digital media vendors.
- Sophisticated understanding of audience segmentation, social listening, digital analytics, platform strategy, and best-practice tools and techniques for digital communications, as well as experience using market research, analytics, and audience insights to identify trends, opportunities, and content strategies.
- Experience establishing and managing key performance indicators for digital and social media strategies and evaluating effectiveness and return on investment.
- Strong project management skills with the ability to manage complex editorial calendars, production schedules, multiple priorities, and tight deadlines.
- Strong collaborative leadership skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively with senior leaders, creative professionals, communications colleagues, and cross-functional partners.
- Sound editorial judgment, problem-solving skills, discretion, and ability to operate effectively in high-visibility and time-sensitive communications environments, and exceptional interpersonal and oral and written communication skills.
- Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Canva; experience with social media management, analytics, social listening, content management, and emerging generative AI tools.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective and harmonious working relationships with faculty, staff, students, University leadership, vendors, and people from a variety of culturally diverse backgrounds.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, public relations, journalism, digital media, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience in social media, digital communications, marketing, public relations, journalism, or a related environment, including demonstrated experience developing digital strategies and managing multimedia content production. Experience in higher education, nonprofit organizations, agencies, or nationally or globally recognized brands is preferred. Ability to work outside normal business hours and travel as required.
Compliance Salary Range Disclosure
Expected Salary Range: $85,000-$95,000