Job Abstract

Position Summary

The Digital Content Specialist is responsible for developing, monitoring and maintaining digital content (primarily social media and email marketing) for Rice’s Development and Alumni Relations division. This includes working with in-house writers, designers and web staff to produce visually striking and user-friendly digital content. The Digital Content Specialist will manage website content in a content management system, monitor social channels and engage with and answer questions from alumni online, and collaborate with division partners and creative staff to execute multichannel digital marketing campaigns. The Digital Content Specialist also will consistently gather and monitor metrics to identify trends, make recommendations, and devise digital marketing strategies. Day-to-day responsibilities of the Digital Content Specialist will be focused on building, testing and executing major organic and paid social media marketing campaigns efficiently and expertly, supporting a wide range of high-volume messages. The position will also support marketing and communications team members in executing new and existing messaging strategies.

The ideal candidate will be highly organized, curious and creative, with proven experience meeting deadlines and an ability to work cross-functionally on a variety of digital projects, offering advice and expertise while remaining flexible and collaborative.

Essential Functions

• Participates in the development of the digital communication and brand strategy for a program(s), department or unit
• Writes, designs, and coordinates the production of digital communication and marketing materials
• Recommends integrated communications and / or marketing plans to meet objectives
• Assists in building and / or maintaining a digital community through social media channels, blogs and the web
• Assists in the design and development of graphics and web pages
• Drafts content used to engage constituents and grow channels
• Curates digital content
• Implements social listening efforts and reports back to management
• Provides customer service to constituents across digital channels
• Represents the organization to constituents
• Compiles data, analyzes and reports metrics
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Additional Functions/Information

• Assists with answering questions and addresses concerns from alumni and other university constituents through the ARA (Association of Rice Alumni) Help Desk email address
• Collaborates with division partners to facilitate requested social media posts
• Supports and updates a multi-department marketing calendar and advises on timing and segmentation of digital communications
• Utilizes a project management system to track tasks and collaborate with teammates
• Utilizes Sprout Social, Google Analytics and other content tools to track performance on campaigns year over year and make recommendations for improvement

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree
  • In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis may be substituted
• One year of related professional experience in a marketing, communications, social media or other closely related field
  • In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis may be substituted
• Skills Required
  • Strong oral and written communication skills
  • Familiar with technology (desktop and mobile devices), social platforms, current and future trends
  • Organized and creative
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to take direction and work to meet expected deadlines and schedules
  • Demonstrated team player
  • Strong listening skills
  • Strong overall knowledge of social media systems and processes
  • Proven knowledge of digital content production
  • Microsoft Office skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Education and Experience
  • Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, public relations, English, or liberal arts
  • Experience in higher education
  • Experience with graphic design and video production
  • Experience building and managing an annual social media calendar
  • Experience with the web development life cycle
  • Content management software experience
  • Experience with social media analytics
  • Experience with Blackbaud Internet Solutions and/or Blackbaud CRM
  • Experience in a PC Windows environment
  • Basic HTML/CSS experience
  • Experience covering live events on social media
  • Experience planning and executing paid social media campaigns

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Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with commitment to diversity at all levels, and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.