Job Description

The Social Media Manager will lead paid and organic social media strategies and campaigns for Adler University’s U.S. and British Columbia locations. This position will develop compelling content that drives meaningful results across the University’s social platforms, including Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, X, and YouTube. The Social Media Manager will also support and manage social media content and strategy for the President, helping strengthen her executive presence and advance the University’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities.

This position will provide thought leadership on social media strategy, applying industry knowledge and best practices to support Adler’s enrollment, fundraising, brand awareness, and institutional engagement goals. The Social Media Manager will establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), analyze social media performance, and use insights to continually improve strategy and content. The position will also support University culture and engagement initiatives.

The Social Media Manager will initially serve as an individual contributor and will play a key role in rebuilding and strengthening Adler’s social media function. This includes establishing effective processes, developing a consistent content strategy, strengthening the University’s social media presence, and identifying opportunities to evolve the function over time as the University’s needs grow.

The Social Media Manager is a full-time position based in Chicago with a hybrid schedule.

To be considered for this role, please provide a cover letter.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, advertising, digital media, design, or related discipline is required.
• Minimum of five (5) years of organic and paid social media campaign management and optimization experience is required.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience designing, developing, and executing comprehensive digital assets for social media campaigns is required.
• Experience in higher education, non-profit institutions, or agencies is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes

• Editorial mindset with an understanding of how to create content appropriate for social platforms and their specific audiences.
• Working knowledge of social media management platforms.
• Strong demonstration of alignment with Adler’s social interest mission and vision.
• Documented experience developing and implementing effective paid and organic social media strategies with solid understanding of advertising optimization and content performance metrics.
• Demonstrated ability to develop conceptual visual ideas and execute against them as social media campaign.
• Proficient and functional knowledge of M.S. Office and Adobe creative suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator).
• Basic understanding of videography and photography preferred but not required.
• Experience coordinating with creative agencies, videographers, and photographers.
• Ability to consistently identify opportunities for improvement and make recommendations based on observations.
• Strong critical thinking, problem-solving and visioning acumen.
• Ability to proactively identify challenges and barriers to stated objectives and employ assistance in addressing these.
• Strong collaboration acumen and abilities.
• Demonstration of Emotional Intelligence and professional maturity.
• Strong research acumen and abilities.
• Strong communication acumen including written, oral, and listening.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Strategy Development:

• Develops paid and organic social media strategies and content calendars for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
• Research, reports and provide recommendations based on best practices and the latest social trends, including platform updates, advertising formats, creative execution, and the tools and technologies needed to elevate social efforts and improve performance.
• Implements and maintains performance reports to highlight areas of growth and opportunity, specifically for paid content performance against KPIs for optimization and testing as needed to improve results.

Content Development:

• Leads the creation of social content for lead generation that engages various audiences, including prospective students, University donors, & University partnerships.
• Develops static and motion content using Adobe Creative Suite or similar, or through coordination with outside creative agencies, designers, videographers, or photographers
• Ensures all content adheres to the University’s brand and editorial style guides.
• Generates new ideas to increase engagement and grow target audiences.

Collaboration:

• Collaborates across Communications & Marketing, the President’s Office, faculty and staff across three campuses in the U.S. and British Columbia, and external agencies to develop strategic content and campaigns.
• Partners with Marketing leadership on paid social strategy and content development.
• Serves as a social media adviser to the Adler University community, helping faculty and staff use social media effectively to advance the University’s goals.

Work Environment (Physical Demands): The usual and customary methods of performing the jobs functions require the following physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires 80% sitting, 10% walking, and 10% standing. This job is performed in a generally clean and healthy environment.

Salary Range: $75,000.00 - $85,000.00

Universal Core Behaviors:

Commitment to Adler’s Mission

• Acts with personal integrity, honesty, compassion. and integrity in all professional responsibilities.
• Aligns professional actions with Adler’s commitment to community-rooted education, research, and impact.
• Contributes to a culture that advances health, well-being, and community connection — locally and globally.
• Respects and values colleagues and community partners.

Accountability and Excellence

• Demonstrates results-oriented focus and commitment to quality.
• Consistently meets deadlines and delivers work of high professional standard.
• Prioritizes service and responsiveness.
• Seeks opportunities to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and resource use.
• Takes ownership of performance, seeks feedback, and accepts responsibility for actions.

Communication

• Communicates with respect, diplomacy, and professionalism.
• Demonstrates active listening and comprehension.
• Expresses ideas clearly and effectively in both oral and written forms.
• Keeps colleagues informed in a timely and transparent manner.

Collaboration and Teamwork

• Actively contributes to and engages with colleagues, partners, and communities.
• Builds relationships rooted in respect, empathy, and trust.
• Demonstrates curiosity, courage, and integrity in guiding work and decisions.
• Makes thoughtful, informed decisions that balance short-term needs with long-term impact.
• Works cooperatively with colleagues to achieve collective goals.

Adaptability and Lifelong Learning

• Approaches challenges with proactive problem-solving.
• Commits to lifelong learning by continuously developing skills, knowledge, and effectiveness.
• Supports and adapts to evolving needs in the work environment.

Partnership with Supervisors

• Engages supervisors as partners in achieving goals.
• Fosters open, respectful communication to maintain alignment and clarity.
• Seeks guidance and feedback when appropriate while demonstrating initiative and accountability.

Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of Adler University that all persons are entitled to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) protection. The University does not discriminate against any individual for employment because of age, religion, race, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, physical or mental disability, military status (including unfavorable discharge from the military), or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.