Senior Manager, Social & Digital Strategy

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 d evelop ment   and execut ion   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 co