Description

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.

Description

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.

Department Contact for Recruitment Inquiries

Erin Supinka

Department Contact Phone Number

6-2255

Department Contact for Cover Letter and Title

Erin Supinka, Director of Social Strategy and Digital Engagement

Department Contact's Phone Number

Equal Opportunity Employer

Dartmouth College is an equal opportunity employer under federal law. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status. Applications are welcome from all.

Background Check

Employment in this position is contingent upon consent to and successful completion of a pre-employment background check, which may include a criminal background check, reference checks, verification of work history, conduct review, and verification of any required academic credentials, licenses, and/or certifications, with results acceptable to Dartmouth College. A criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

Is driving a vehicle (e.g. Dartmouth vehicle or off road vehicle, rental car, personal car) an essential function of this job?

Not an essential function

Special Instructions to Applicants

Dartmouth College has a Tobacco-Free Policy. Smoking and the use of tobacco-based products (including smokeless tobacco) are prohibited in all facilities, grounds, vehicles or other areas owned, operated or occupied by Dartmouth College with no exceptions. For details, please see our policy. https://policies.dartmouth.edu/policy/tobacco-free-policy

Additional Instructions

Key Accountabilities

Description

Flagship Content Leadership and Execution

• Owns the content calendar, publishing cadence, and editorial strategy across all flagship social platforms - Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Threads, X, and YouTube.
• Leads creation and execution of day-to-day content: writing copy, directing visuals, and packaging posts for each platform.
• Makes real-time editorial decisions on content timing, tone, and platform suitability.
• Serves as the working lead for the Social Content and Community Specialist - setting daily priorities, directing content assignments, and providing editorial feedback.
• Directs the work of social media interns, including student video interns.
• Monitors and moderates online discussions; responds appropriately and escalates to relevant departments as needed.
• Supports time-sensitive institutional content and emerging issues as needed, including occasional availability during evenings and weekends.
• Partners with the office's Data Analyst for Web and Social Media to review metrics and make data-informed content decisions.

Percentage Of Time

60%

Description

Campus Collaboration and Content Sourcing

• Serves as the primary liaison to MPG videographers and design/production staff for social content requests, working through shared briefs, standard turnaround expectations, and regular syncs.
• Coordinates with campus partners to source stories, moments, and assets for flagship social content.
• Attends campus events to identify and capture content opportunities; some events might be outside traditional working hours.
• Partners with the Director on strategic alignment while maintaining full autonomy over daily execution.

Percentage Of Time

25%

Description

Campaign Development and Platform Innovation

• Develops campaigns and provides creative direction for major institutional moments, including Commencement, admissions, rankings, and strategic priorities such as the Center for Career Design and AI at Dartmouth.
• Tracks platform trends, recommends new content approaches, and pilots new formats.
• Identifies opportunities to push the creative boundaries of what Dartmouth does on social - testing new storytelling approaches, content types, and platform features.

Percentage Of Time

15%

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Demonstrates professionalism and collegiality through actions, interactions, and communications with others appropriate to an environment that is welcoming to all.

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Performs other duties as assigned.