Social Media Manager Ref: 60030

As part of our recruitment approach, internal candidates will receive priority consideration at the shortlisting stage.

About the role

Lead the University of Sussex’s social media strategy and help us reach prospective students, build our reputation and engage our communities to support the achievement of Sussex 2035: Creating Progressive Futures – flourishing, sustainability and progress for the whole world. 

You will work with colleagues to define what each channel is for, use audience insight to shape campaigns and oversee creative content designed for each platform, with video at the heart of the approach. Your approach will bring Sussex to life across our social media platforms for a variety of stakeholders and drive reputation and brand building.
 
Reporting to the Senior Brand and Content Manager, your team will comprise a Video Content Creator and Content Officer. You will commission content across marketing and communications and work with the Brand Manager to recruit, train and support student ambassadors to create content across a range of recruitment, community and research projects.
 
You will oversee daily community management, including moderation and escalation of sensitive issues. You will be confident in using social listening, testing and performance data to improve activity, set measures of success and report to senior colleagues. You will advise teams across Sussex on social media and set standards for accessibility, brand and tone of voice.
 
You will be expected to be involved in Graduation, Clearing and Open Days as required. Very occasional weekend working is required, with time off in lieu provided.

About you

You are a social media specialist who has a strong track record of building impactful campaigns to support brand and reputation building. 

You will have substantial experience of managing channels and online communities and a track record of developing, delivering and evaluating social media strategies and campaigns against organisational goals. You will understand how social media sits in the paid, owned and earned matrix and be experienced in working across marketing, brand and reputation. 
 
You will bring substantial knowledge of how audiences, algorithms and formats differ across platforms and understand how to create accessible, inclusive content for each platform, especially video.

You will have professional experience using the full functionality of management tool such as Hootsuite or Sprout Social, and the use of social listening and audience insight to spot trends and risks, handle sensitive issues and reactive communications, and turn performance data into practical improvements.
 
You will communicate clearly, influence senior colleagues and work well with creative teams and agencies. You will have experience managing, mentoring or developing people, and working with student ambassadors, influencers or creators. You can balance long-term planning with daily delivery, managing competing deadlines and making sound decisions as issues arise.
 
Experience in higher education, the public sector or another complex organisation is desirable, as is experience supporting student recruitment or institutional reputation. Practical design or video skills and experience running an ambassador or influencer programme would also be valuable.

About our Division

The CEA division is vital in contributing towards the success of Sussex. We work closely in partnership with our academic schools and other learning institutions in the UK, and, Internationally to attract the very best students we can. 
 
Our ideas matter, that is why we work and advise on Institutional Growth Strategies to support the University in achieving positive outcomes. The life-long relationships with our global alumni and friends enable many of the gifts which allow Sussex’s research to flourish.

Please find further information regarding the division at Communications, Engagement and Advancement: University of Sussex.

Why work here

Our university is situated off the A27, next to the beautiful South Downs where you will enjoy everything that our 150-acre campus has to offer. We are accessible by public transport; Falmer train station is a five-minute walk to campus and several bus stops are located within campus. We also have dedicated cycling paths and encourage our staff to use these with our offering of a cycle to work scheme.  

Sussex is a renowned, multi-accredited, research-led International University and this is only possible because of the people that work here. Whether you are a member of Faculty, part of a Professional Services team or a Student, it’s our people that make us great and we want you to be part of that. 

Find out more about our reward and benefits package. 

Find out about our equality, diversity and inclusion. 

Further Key Information 

Informal enquiries: Helen Merrills, Director of Marketing, Brand and Content

h.merrills@sussex.ac.uk

For full details and how to apply see our vacancies page.

The University of Sussex values the diversity of its staff and students, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds

Eligibility

The University requires that work undertaken for the University is performed in the UK.

Visa Sponsorship Queries: This role may be eligible for sponsorship. Please consult our Skilled Worker Visa information page  for further information about Visa Sponsorship.