Content And Community Strategist

The Content and Community Strategist is responsible for shaping and sustaining Ithaca Colleges brand presence across social media and emerging digital platforms. This role leads day-to-day social media planning video-first content development and community management translating institutional priorities and editorial initiatives into compelling on-brand content with a focus on visual-first channels like Instagram and TikTok.

Serving as a key brand steward the Strategist maintains a consistent cadence of high-quality brand-aligned content mentors a team of student content creators and partners closely with creative and editorial colleagues to shape and deliver high-quality social-first storytelling. This position balances strategic judgment with hands-on execution to strengthen audience engagement ensure tonal and visual consistency and advance the Colleges storytelling goals and reputation. The Strategist actively cultivates Ithaca Colleges social communities through thoughtful timely engagementcommenting sharing and participating in conversationwhile shaping an institutional voice that feels authentic responsive and platform-appropriate.

This role does not require prior experience in higher education. We welcome candidates from a range of industries and are especially interested in strategists who bring an outside-in perspective and a willingness to be bold. The ideal candidate is a thoughtful risk-takersomeone who can weigh opportunity against responsibility move beyond institutional boilerplate and identify exciting creative ways for Ithaca College to show up with confidence and purpose across social platforms.

Job responsibilities:

• Responsible for the day-to-day management of Ithaca Colleges social media presence ensuring a consistent brand-aligned voice and visual identity across platforms including Instagram TikTok Facebook and LinkedIn.

• Translate institutional priorities editorial initiatives and campaign themes into engaging platform-appropriate social content that reflects Ithaca Colleges brand and identity ensuring consistency while allowing for authentic multi-voiced expression.

• Manage social media community engagement including monitoring conversations and sentiment responding to comments and messages and fostering positive inclusive interactions that reflect the Colleges values and enhances its reputation.

• Support the development of an influencer and earned media program by assisting in identifying opportunities to authentically extend the reach and credibility of the Ithaca College brand through trusted voices.

• Recruit train and manage a team of student content creators providing clear guidance feedback and brand education to ensure high-quality on-brand output.

• Maintain a reliable and strategic content cadence balancing planned editorial content with timely responsive trend-aware visually refined and engaging storytelling.

• Collaborate closely with colleagues throughout MarCom including Comms and Marketing to align social media efforts with campaigns launches and institutional storytelling priorities.

• Collaborate with the creative multimedia team and subcontractors to support and shape production of photo and video assets for channels as appropriate.

• Generate reports and apply performance insights and platform analytics to evaluate content effectiveness inform strategic adjustments and share learnings with partners and leadership.

• Stay informed on evolving social media platforms best practices and cultural trends making thoughtful recommendations that align innovation with brand integrity.

Success Looks Like

• A steady intentional cadence of social media content that is clearly aligned with Ithaca Colleges brand voice visual identity and editorial priorities across platforms.

• An empowered and productive student content team aligned with Marketing Communications priorities and developed collaboratively across teams that elevates authentic student voices.

• Editorial initiatives and institutional stories are consistently translated into engaging platform-appropriate formats that resonate with key audiences and extend their reach.

• Social media communities feel active responsive and well stewarded strengthening relationships with prospective students current students alumni and the community.

• Strong collaboration with colleagues across Marketing Communications and campus partners positioning social media as a strategic storytelling channel that is integrated early and positioned as a strategic brand opportunity not an afterthought.

• Clear progress toward engagement reach and brand sentiment metrics supported by thoughtful use of performance insights to refine strategy over time.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in a related field and 3-5 years of demonstrated experience developing and executing social media content strategies that balance brand stewardship audience engagement and platform-native storytellingparticularly on visual and video-forward platforms such as TikTok and Instagram; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.

• Experience managing social media communities in an active responsive and values-aligned way including engaging in conversations moderating comments and identifying opportunities for earned engagement.

• Technical proficiency with video production for social media including video and audio production and editing.

• Experience using social analytics and performance insights to inform content strategy optimize cadence and refine engagement approaches.

• Experience supervising mentoring or coordinating contributorssuch as student employees interns or cross-functional partnerswith an emphasis on coaching feedback and creative development.

• Strong editorial judgment and comfort making decisions about tone timing and relevance in fast-moving digital environments.

• Excellent written verbal and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams and explain strategic thinking to a variety of stakeholders.