Job Description

Overview

Social Media Editor and Strategist - Strategic Marketing and Communications

Location: Chicago, IL, USA

Requisition ID: 1036438

Posting Close Date: September 25, 2025

Salary: The salary range for this position is $68,000 - $78,000. Final salary offered will be determined by a thorough assessment of available market data, internal salary equity, candidate experience and qualifications, and budget constraints.

Hiring Department: Office of the Vice Chancellor for Strategic Marketing and Communications

About the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC)

UIC is among the nation's preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). With 16 colleges and a broad range of programs, UIC emphasizes transformative research and student success. UIC offers a competitive benefits portfolio.

Position Summary

The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Strategic Marketing and Communications (SMC) directs initiatives to elevate the profile and reputation of Chicago's only public research university. We are seeking a creative, strategic, and highly detail-oriented Social Media Editor and Strategist to join our team. SMC enhances and protects UIC's reputation, visibility, and reach at state, national, and global levels through market research, analytics, and a deep understanding of the constituent experience.

The Social Media Editor and Strategist will lead social content creation, publishing, and strategy to inform, inspire, and engage audiences while strengthening UIC's brand. This role combines strategic planning with hands-on content creation and data-driven insights to increase engagement and influence.

Our team is collaborative, mission-driven, and focused on advancing UIC's academic and research priorities. The ideal candidate is a systems thinker who values teamwork and can inspire others to execute a content strategy that reflects our brand voice, clarity, and accuracy.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Delight and engage existing audiences and new audiences while protecting the integrity of the UIC brand and reputation.
• Foster an environment of excellent communication, support, and goodwill with the SMC team and internal and external partners.
• Serve as a lead social media ambassador and expert to educate internal partners on best practices and how to utilize platforms to promote UIC creatively. Implement ongoing cross-functional sharing, amplification, and monitoring along with educational opportunities and workshops.
• Lead and manage day-to-day social media content: creating, curating, managing and scheduling content; develop topics/campaigns; expand community/influencer outreach; oversee design of social graphics; manage promotions and social ad campaigns; build an online review funnel; analyze SEO/metrics and adjust strategy; compile KPI/ROI reports for senior leadership; ensure accessibility of social content.
• Collaborate with internal and external teams to create and review engaging social content.
• Oversee production and delivery of social content from internal and external sources.
• Monitor, listen, and respond to users in a defined brand voice, cultivating leads, engagement, and influence.
• Develop and grow audience engagement strategies and contribute innovative ideas in team brainstorms.
• Analyze campaigns and translate data into recommendations for social media, content marketing, SEO, and social advertising.
• Monitor trends and keep abreast of industry developments and new platforms/tools.
• Maintain promotional calendars and report weekly milestones, including follower and engagement goals, to senior leadership.
• Provide real-time platform coverage during crisis management, events, and initiatives as needed.
• Collaborate with the marketing team on content and promotions for priority news, initiatives, and events.
• Identify threats and opportunities in user-generated content; report notable threats and apply conflict resolution to mitigate issues.
• Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, media, journalism, marketing, or related field.
• Two (2) years of experience managing a large-scale social media account or in another relevant marketing/communications role.
• Familiarity with major social platforms (Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, TikTok, Pinterest, Snapchat, LinkedIn, YouTube) and platform-specific strategies.
• Experience sourcing, developing, and publishing content informed by audience behavior and marketing theory.
• Strong writing and copy-editing skills with editorial judgment and attention to tone, clarity, and accuracy.
• Working knowledge of social media management and analytics tools (e.g., Khoros, Buffer, Later, Hootsuite, Meltwater, Google Analytics).
• Ability to create and execute a marketing or content strategy, supported by testing and performance metrics.
• Ability to apply creative and analytical thinking to evaluate digital strategies and results.
• Familiarity with WordPress or similar digital publishing platforms and understanding of blogging and podcast ecosystems.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience working in collaborative environments with effective interpersonal skills and cultural awareness.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three (3) or more years of experience managing a large-scale social media account or in a relevant role.
• Experience producing and editing video content for digital platforms.
• Proficiency in visual design tools such as Adobe Photoshop or Canva.
• Experience integrating DEI principles into digital communications, campaigns, or team culture.
• Google Analytics or comparable analytics tool certification.
• Familiarity with pop culture and viral content to leverage trends in engagement.
• Experience working with diverse audiences or in multicultural marketing environments.
• Demonstrated passion for innovation and experimentation in digital media strategy.

How to Apply

For fullest consideration, please submit a cover letter, resume, and a portfolio showcasing social media writing and examples of creative work (posts, strategy work, presentations, etc.) online by September 25, 2025. Questions can be directed to Gerardo Jimenez, Director of Human Resources, at gjimenez@uic.edu.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including disability and veteran status, and complies with applicable state and federal employment mandates. See Required Employment Notices and Posters for non-discrimination statements and information about background checks, sexual harassment disclosures, and E-Verify.

The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation.

To apply, visit

Copyright 2025 Jobelephant.com. All rights reserved.

Job Tags

Similar Jobs