Associate Director of Social Media

Position Purpose

The Associate Director of Social Media is the creative and operational leader of Dartmouth's flagship social media channels. Reporting to the Director of Social Strategy and Digital Engagement, the Associate Director owns the content calendar, publishing cadence, and editorial strategy across Dartmouth's institutional accounts on Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Threads, X, and YouTube.

This is a hands-on creative leadership role. The Associate Director produces and directs day-to-day content, develops creative campaigns for major institutional moments, and makes the real-time editorial decisions that shape how Dartmouth shows up across social platforms. The Associate Director sets the tone for daily content, ensures Dartmouth's flagship channels reflect the quality, voice, and ambition of the institution, and serves as the working lead for the Social Content and Community Specialist - setting daily priorities, directing content assignments, and providing editorial feedback.

The Associate Director must develop and maintain a deep understanding of Dartmouth's brand, voice, audiences, and institutional context - operating with the brand fluency and organizational awareness to make confident editorial decisions without requiring regular input from the Director on day-to-day content. This level of independence is essential to the role and to the team's operating model.

The Associate Director also serves as the primary liaison to MPG videographers and design/production staff for social content requests, and partners with the Data Analyst for Web and Social Media to make data-informed content decisions.

Required Qualifications - Education and Yrs Exp

Bachelors or equivalent combination of education and experience

Required Qualifications - Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• 4-6 years of experience in social media management, with demonstrated ownership of flagship or brand-level channels, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Deep, current knowledge of Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Threads, X, Bluesky, and YouTube - including algorithms, formats, and evolving platform dynamics.
• Demonstrated ability to absorb and independently represent a complex institutional brand - including the judgment to know when content aligns with voice and strategy and when to escalate, without relying on routine review from senior leadership.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills, with the ability to craft compelling content in multiple voices and for diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to lead end-to-end content production - from concept through copy, visual direction, and publishing.
• Working knowledge of short-form video as a content format, including how to brief and direct videographers for social-first output.
• Proven ability to collaborate cross-functionally with creative, communications, and production teams.
• Experience directing the work of others, including setting priorities, providing editorial feedback, and managing freelancers or interns.
• Fluency with social media analytics and experience using data to inform content strategy.
• Experience using social media management platforms such as Sprout Social, Hootsuite, or similar.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to balance daily execution with longer-term campaign planning.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a complex, multi-stakeholder organization - higher education background is a plus, not a requirement.
• Experience developing campaign creative for major institutional moments such as commencements, admissions cycles, or rankings announcements.
• Experience briefing or directing videographers and designers for social content.
• Familiarity with thought leadership or institutional brand voice communications on social media.