DIGITAL MARKETING SPECIALIST

Thank you for considering Communications and Marketing, a unit within Housing & Food Services at the University of Washington—Seattle.

At the University of Washington, diversity is integral to excellence. We value and honor diverse experiences and perspectives, strive to create welcoming and respectful learning environments, and promote access, opportunity and justice for all.

HFS provides on-campus housing to over 10,000 student residents and operates over 40 dining and café locations that serve the entire campus community. In order to successfully accomplish this, we employ over 1,200 students, classified and professional staff members who work throughout HFS, providing residential and dining services to the campus. As reflected in our mission statement—working together to enhance student life —teamwork and service to our students and customers are at the heart of our business.

To learn about our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion at UW Housing & Food Services, you are encouraged to review our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement Training .

View additional information about HFS and this position here .

This position is eligible for up to 2 days of remote work.

PURPOSE
As a social media subject matter expert, the Digital Marketing Specialist represents the Department’s mission of supporting students’ university experience through proactive, accessible, responsive and inclusive social media engagement with current and prospective students and their families, HFS staff and the UW community. In collaboration with Communications and Marketing (ComMar) team members and HFS partners, this position provides expertise and thought leadership in social media and develops and executes communications strategies and tactics through HFS’s social media presence on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok. Primary goals of the position include building and engaging with the digital community through social media channels, paid advertising campaigns and marketing campaigns, in alignment with the web. Effectiveness is achieved by staying attuned to ever-changing social media trends and best practices.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Digital Marketing:
• Lead social media strategy and coordinate the social media calendar for HFS’ social media channels; create, edit and publish social media content that is engaging and inclusive.
• Monitor online conversations and trends, take appropriate action and recommend solutions; collaborate with HFS subject matter experts to craft social media replies and posts.
• Develop, implement and assess digital marketing plans, campaigns and tactics to support Department programs, projects and initiatives; optimize paid social media campaigns; and leverage social media campaigns to promote audience engagement with the HFS website.
• Research, write and edit content to inform target audiences and promote HFS’ programs and services.
• Facilitate marketing meetings with Department stakeholders to review the effectiveness of marketing strategies.
• Conduct data gathering through market research to inform sound marketing recommendations and/or support HFS partner business planning.
• Collect and evaluate performance metrics for marketing campaigns, social media, video, email and other activities.
• Ensure work is in alignment with established Department and University vision and values, brand standards, accessibility standards and policies for messaging, communications, information design, graphics, and photography.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for ComMar’s social media presence, with a focus on video and emergent media trends.
• Apply a lens of equity and inclusion to all communications.

Project and Relationship Management:
• Coordinate multiple projects at any given time; collaborate with partners to determine deliverables and establish timelines and roles. Ensure that digital marketing deliverables are completed on time and within budget. Provide timely and ongoing communication related to the status of projects and plans.
• Act as a digital marketing liaison to HFS partners; understand and convey the mission of HFS, seeking opportunities to collaborate with partners and colleagues about digital marketing and other areas of expertise.
• Collaborate with ComMar colleagues to support continual learning and process improvement.
• Proactively and collaboratively identify potential solutions to complex problems and unique issues as they arise.

Miscellaneous:
• Participate on project and cross-functional teams.
• Attend weekly meetings of the Residential Community Student Association (RCSA) and provide updates from meetings to the ComMar team.
• Perform related duties as assigned to support the mission and strategic initiatives of Housing & Food Services.

IMPACT TO THE UNIVERSITY
Communicating and promoting the benefits of HFS’s programs and services encourages students, faculty and staff to avail themselves of these opportunities, which are intended to provide a sense of community, convenience and value—enhancing the campus environment and contributing to revenue for the Department as well as the University.

POSITION COMPLEXITIES
Position leads multi-channel social media presence that resonates with and engages a wide range of audiences and reflects a keen attention to inclusivity and accessibility. Works in a deadline-driven environment. Additional duties may be assigned for special events that occur within or outside the regular work schedule.

WORKING CONDITIONS
• Position maintains regular office hours Monday through Friday with regular evening work to participate in student meetings and programming; occasional weekend work to participate in special events.
• Work is performed in an open office setting with noise and other distractions. The position may travel to various campus locations with a laptop computer, camera or marketing materials.
• A hybrid arrangement that includes working two days remotely is an option.

SUPERVISION RESPONSIBILITIES
No direct reports: may train entry-level staff, and may hire, coach and/or manage student interns and student employees.

REPORTS TO
Communications and Marketing Manager

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Advertising, Communications or a related field, and one-two (1-2) years of experience leading, developing and executing multi-channel social media strategy.

Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum requirements.

DESIRED REQUIREMENTS
• Experience with one or more social media scheduling tools, such as Buffer.
• Experience managing, creating and curating content for YouTube.
• Experience in videography, storyboarding and production.
• Ability to learn emerging digital tools, such as Marketo, Kentico and Adobe Premiere video app.
• Experience with Adobe Creative Cloud.
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully with diverse populations and demonstrated commitment to promote and enhance diversity and inclusion.
• Attention to detail, ability to consistently meet deadlines and strong customer service orientation.
• Experience developing and executing digital marketing campaigns in a higher ed and/or retail environment.
• Ability to meet challenging timelines in a dynamic work environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple competing priorities.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
A satisfactory outcome from the reference check process is required prior to hire.

Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.