Content Marketing & Communications Specialist

Position Summary

The Content Marketing and Communications Specialist generates continued audience engagement through innovative creativity that connects people to South Dakota State University and inspires their involvement with the SDSU Alumni Association. This role develops, implements, and coordinates marketing and communications projects on behalf of the SDSU Alumni Association. This role will create engaging content targeted at the diverse audience of SDSU alumni and friends.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Creative Design and Digital Management

• Work with and support the Alumni Association team by planning, coordinating, creating and executing on marketing campaigns. Effectively manage time to follow timelines, meet deadlines, and ensure uniformity of content and messaging.
• Create, implement, and execute on marketing strategies that are appealing to target audiences while also growing social engagement. Have a baseline knowledge on how to write and create brand-unified marketing content that can be used across many platforms. Use that baseline knowledge to write social media posts, articles, emails, and marketing collateral that is optimized for the following platforms, but not limited to:
• Social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter)
• Email Marketing
• Alumni Association Website
• Print Media
• Design and develop marketing collateral for Alumni Association events and programs that aligns with the Alumni Association's brand standards using marketing tools such as Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.
• Understand and implement design concepts including aesthetics, font size, color usage, graphics, layouts, and photography that maintain quality and brand standards.
• Respond to messages and communications via the various social media platforms.

Publications and Messaging

• Coordinate content and interact with University Marketing and Communications in the creation of STATE magazine.
• Collaborate and interact with Alumni Association team, SDSU Foundation staff, university partners, and vendors to coordinate the design and execution for creative projects.

Other Duties

• Ability to interact with a wide variety of constituencies including internal team members, campus partners, and alumni and friends to support the strategic initiatives of the Alumni Association.
• Engage in professional development activities that will enhance job performance, including building networks within the university and with colleagues at peer institutions.
• Proactively research trends and concepts to generate new ideas to better engage with alumni and friends.
• Participate in Alumni Association, SDSU, and SDSU Foundation events which will require travel and night and weekend availability.
• Other duties for the organization as assigned.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Proficient knowledge of industry software, including but not limited to Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustration, and Acrobat) is required.
• A high level of interpersonal skills, both in person and by phone, to handle sensitive and confidential situations with varied internal and external constituencies.
• Customer service skills requiring clear communication in person, on the phone, and in writing are essential.
• A high level of integrity, including ability to treat confidential information with discretion.
• Ability to be organized and resourceful to locate and compile information and accomplish projects with minimal supervision.
• Consistent attention to detail in composing and proofing materials, establishing priorities, and meeting deadlines.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a collaborative team environment with professional demeanor, self-reliance, and resourcefulness.
• Dependability and punctuality.
• High energy, positive attitude, and high degree of initiative.
• Experience taking photography is preferred but not required.
• Proficient experience using the most recent versions of computer software applications including word processing, spreadsheets, database and presentation software (i.e. MSWord, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).

Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree or two or more years of professional writing experience in higher education or a philanthropic organization, or a related field such as journalism, communications, marketing, or public relations experience required.

Typical Physical Demands

Requires sitting, standing, bending, reaching, and some lifting. Requires manual dexterity sufficient to operate standard office machines such as computers, fax machines, calculators, the telephone, and other office and/or clerical equipment. Requires normal range of hearing and vision.

Employee Statement of Understanding

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Regular attendance is required in this job. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship. The SDSU Alumni Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

About the Alumni Association

The SDSU Alumni Association is an independent, not-for-profit organization, non-dues association that welcomes all graduates, former students, faculty, staff and friends of South Dakota State, as well as students, to be SDSU Alumni Association members. We strive to connect alumni to SDSU and each other, through the promotion of the University and by providing valuable benefits, services and resources to members. The SDSU Alumni Association embraces each one of its more than 90,000 alumni and friends who are proud to be Jackrabbits. We are a highly diverse and global family that is an influential force in both keeping State's traditions alive and advancing South Dakota State University.