Job Description

The Content and Community Strategist is responsible for shaping and sustaining Ithaca College’s 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 College’s storytelling goals and reputation. The Strategist actively cultivates Ithaca College’s social communities through thoughtful, timely engagement—commenting, sharing, and participating in conversation—while 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-taker—someone 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 College’s 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 College’s 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 College’s 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 College’s 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

• Bachelor’s 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 storytelling—particularly 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 contributors—such as student employees, interns, or cross-functional partners—with 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.

Application Instructions:

Interested applicants must apply online and attach a resume, cover letter, a portfolio of work and list of three professional references. The portfolio can take on any format, as long as it demonstrates your experience developing and executing social media content strategies, balancing both strategy and execution. Questions about online applications should be directed to the Office of Human Resources at (607) 274-8000 or humanresources@ithaca.edu.

Ithaca College is committed to building a diverse academic community and encourages members of underrepresented groups to apply. Experience that contributes to the diversity of the college is appreciated.

Visa sponsorship is not provided for this position.

Hiring Range:

$65,000-$70,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

We pride ourselves on providing our benefit-eligible employees with comprehensive benefits, including:

• Healthcare including vision and dental

• Generous Paid Time Off Policies

• 403B Retirement Savings Plan with Matching Employer Contribution

• EAP

• Flexible Work Plans

• Educational Benefits

• Career-Enhancing Trainings

• For an overview of our benefit offerings, please visit https://www.ithaca.edu/human-resources/employee-benefits-wellness

In an effort to promote campus safety and the security of College resources, Ithaca College will, consistent with the requirements of the law and prudent practices, conduct criminal background investigations per College policy. This position is subject to a criminal background check. All offers of employment are contingent upon review of the criminal background check.

At Ithaca College, a comprehensive residential campus community of approximately 5,000 students, we strive to be at the forefront of the higher education landscape. We offer a distinct integrative learning experience that makes students ready for the personal, professional, and global challenges of our age.

We seek candidates who embrace integrative learning and want to be a part of this exciting time in Ithaca College history. We encourage creative collaboration and innovation in our faculty and staff, providing support and resources for them to grow in their fields and lead students to their own innovative ideas and achievements.

We welcome different ways of thinking and look for candidates with unique points of view and life experiences. We are inclusive of individuals with a wide range of cultural, personal, and professional backgrounds, talents, and skills. Our campus is a vibrant and rewarding community where diverse minds can learn, succeed, and excel.

When reviewing candidates, we are looking for indicators of a number of core competencies. Prospective candidates must be adaptable, collaborative, inclusive, respectful, responsive, results driven, and sustainable. They must communicate effectively, demonstrate leadership, exhibit professional integrity and ethics, take initiative, value personal and professional development, and show that they will engage in the college.

Nestled in the heart of New York State’s scenic Finger Lakes region, Ithaca College sits atop South Hill overlooking picturesque Cayuga Lake and is just minutes away from the city center. Combining small town warmth and charm with the vibrancy of a college community, the thriving and culturally diverse city of Ithaca has been rated by Kiplinger’s as one of the top 10 places to live in the United States.

To learn more about Ithaca College, visit us at http://ithaca.edu