Salem Academy and College the oldest continuously operating educational institution for girls in women in the country by its founding date of 1772 invites applications for the Social Media Manager. The job reports to the Executive Director of Marketing and Communications.

About Salem Academy and College:

Salem Academy and College is the oldest continuously operating educational institution for girls and women in the country.  Since 1772, the institution has engaged in transformational change to innovate women’s education. Founded with the mission of making education accessible to all, Salem has a rich 250-year-old history and a long-standing track record of educating students who are prepared to make a bold impact locally, nationally and globally through liberal arts education. Our graduates are committed to making the world a better, healthier and more equitable place. Salem College is the nation’s only liberal arts college exclusively dedicated to developing the next generation of health leaders.

Salem College has more than 40 full-time faculty and over 150 staff members who support approximately 500 students including full-time undergraduates, part-time students and graduate programs. Salem recently received the largest philanthropic gift in its history with a $5M anonymous donation focused on enabling our health leadership transformation as well as a $3.6M estate gift to support the College. Salem completed its 250th-anniversary campaign this year exceeding a $12.5M goal.

U.S. News & World Report 2022-2023 Rankings, ranked Salem College No. 1 among all National Liberal Arts Colleges in America as a Top Performer on Social Mobility. Our institution has rapidly moved up the national ranking for Social Mobility, from No. 10 in 2020 and No. 4 in 2021 to No. 1 in 2022.  Salem College is also ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the No. 2 National Liberal Arts College in North Carolina. Salem has been ranked among the top three National Liberal Arts Colleges in North Carolina for the past seven years. In addition, Salem College was ranked 6th in the nation for college affordability last year.

Salem College is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, a vibrant college town known as the “City of Arts and Innovation”. Winston-Salem is a lively academic community, home to six institutions of higher education and more than 26,000 students. Winston Salem has a collaborative and engaged academic community with strong private and public schools, excellent healthcare systems, and affordable housing. The Winston-Salem area also offers a rich variety of cultural opportunities and has a vibrant art and restaurant scene. Within a few hours of campus are mountains for skiing, camping, or hiking; rivers for whitewater rafting; and the beautiful ports and beaches of North and South Carolina.

Position Summary:

The Social Media Manager oversees Salem’s comprehensive social media strategy that elevates the institution’s brand and visibility across multiple social media and digital platforms by engaging a diverse group of audiences through captivating messages and compelling storytelling.

The Social Media Manager will personalize Salem’s social media presence and ensure brand consistency while building brand awareness. In partnership with the marketing and communications team, the manager proactively identifies ways to feature Salem’s people (students, alumni, partners) and their remarkable stories. The Social Media Manager works to position Salem as one of the most esteemed liberal arts colleges for women and as the nation’s only college dedicated to elevating and expanding women’s roles in health leadership. The manager also supports social media marketing efforts for Salem Academy, a boarding and day school exclusive for girls grades 9-12.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage all aspects of social media from developing strategy, content planning, creating social media graphics, scheduling, posting, and writing copy
• Create social media graphics using Canva or Adobe Creative Suite
• Develop and manage a weekly social media content calendar
• Use social media tools to streamline content, improve engagement, and regularly review analytics
• Develop a social media strategy by setting annual goals and measurable objectives; tailor strategy based on platform vs. posting the same content across multiple channels
• Collaborate with the in-house videographer/photographer to help create and secure video content for various social media platforms and capture engaging photos for content
• Collaborate with the videographer/photographer to substantially build Salem’s YouTube channel and its storytelling content
• Manage multiple social media profiles and accounts on platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok, and more
• Build strategy around paid social media marketing, boosting, and digital advertising
• Engage with online audiences through responses and comments and by fostering relationships with followers, brand advocates, and influencers
• Thoroughly research and understand Salem’s diverse target audiences and which platforms they curate content / develop content and stories based on target audiences’ perceptions and preferences
• Maintain a current understanding of social media trends and tools
• Prepare and regularly report on social media analytics and adapt strategies based on data and outcomes
• Identify ways to incorporate influencer marketing into social media strategy
• Identify ways to successfully integrate social media with other marketing and communications strategies like combining LinkedIn + a scholarly article, for example
• Regularly collaborate with others on various marketing and communications efforts like graphic design, reports and publications, content calendar, videography and photography, media relations, event planning, e-marketing, newsletters, website, and more
• Assist the Executive Director of Marketing and Communications with developing strategic communications and marketing plans and multimedia campaigns

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, public relations, digital media, journalism, or related field
• Five or more years of related work experience in managing social media platforms, marketing, or communications
• Graphic design skills in Canva, graphic design skills in Adobe Creative Suite preferred
• Superb project management skills with the ability to work on multiple projects with competing deadlines
• Ability to work across the institution to curate social media stories and creative content
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the confidence to work with a diverse group of colleagues and external stakeholders
• Strong capabilities to take initiative and self-direct planning efforts while also collaborating with colleagues to develop integrated efforts
• Superb writing skills that can adapt based on the type of social media platform
• Knowledge of social media management tools like Hootsuite, Sprout Social, or others
• Firm understanding of branding campaigns, launches, and messaging
• Enjoy being a part of a team and helping others across the institution with their social media and other digital requests
• Comfortable working on high-level and high-pressure external communications that build brand reputation and maintain positive relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders
• Knowledge of higher education or education industry preferred

Physical Functions:

While performing the responsibilities of the Social Media Manager, the employee is required to sit for varying lengths of time; bend, reach, lift, push, and pull up to 25 pounds; occasionally stand, walk, and kneel and regularly ascend/descend stairs; use hands and fingers to handle or feel and manipulate keys on a keyboard; perform extended periods of work at a computer workstation, view a computer monitor; perceive sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction, and receive detailed information through oral communication; express and exchange ideas by means of spoken word; and work in an office setting.

Application Process:

To apply, please send a letter of interest addressing your qualifications to hr@salem.edu. The letter of interest may be addressed to the “Search Committee.” The review of applications will begin immediately and will be ongoing until the position is filled.

Salem Academy and College is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, pregnancy, or any other characteristic protected by law.