Social Media Officer

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

 

Overview

 

The Social Media Team enhances the University’s reputation by leading the development and use of social media channels for current and prospective students, staff and academics, funders, policy makers, alumni and other audiences around the world.

 

The role of Social Media Officer requires an outward facing, trend-aware expert in content creation and channel development.

 

You’ll be confident leading coordination and delivery of timely, authentic and relevant social media activity; sharing our award-winning student experience and world-leading research through content and campaigns developed in collaboration with stakeholders and colleagues across the university. You’ll identify and develop social media formats and approaches and align the wider university community’s social media practice.

 

In return, you’ll work collaboratively with some of the most inspiring students and academics to enhance the University’s global reputation.

 

Main duties and responsibilities

 

• Plan, develop and publish engaging high quality content for the University’s social media channels – primarily Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok – in collaboration with creative content teams and other stakeholders.
• Manage day-to-day posting schedules ensuring timely and relevant updates that reflect key university news, campaigns and announcements.
• Write compelling, accessible and inclusive copy tailored to different audiences (students, staff, alumni, prospective students, industry partners)
• Support the development and implementation of the university’s social media strategy in line with institutional goals.
• Plan, coordinate and evaluate social media campaigns for student recruitment, reputation and events.
• Collaborate with academic schools and professional services to identify and amplify impactful stories.
• Oversee community management and coordinate resources to ensure timely responses to UGC including comments and mentions, fostering positive engagement with the University’s key audiences.
• Identify and escalate reputational risks, sensitive issues or crises to senior colleagues.
• Track, analyse and report on social media performance using analytics tools, providing insight and recommendations to improve engagement and reach.
• Keep up to date with trends, platform developments and emerging tools to ensure the university remains innovative.
• Act as a brand guardian, driving appropriate usage and messaging by ensuring accurate and consistent representation within the brand and reputation guidelines, to create a clear, confident, consistent voice with correct use of visual ID.
• Any other duties as required including attendance at events and other critical business activity throughout the year including evenings and weekends.

 

Person Specification

 

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn’t match perfectly with this role’s criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

 

Criteria	Essential or desirable	Stage(s) assessed at
Good honours degree in Communications/Marketing/Business or a related subject or equivalent experience.	Essential	Interview / Application
Substantial experience working in a social or digital media role.	Essential	Application and Interview
Experience producing timely, effective and authentic social media content for specific audiences on Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok	Essential	Application and interview
Ability to effectively communicate with internal and external stakeholders and service providers across a wide range of levels.	Essential	Application and interview
Enthusiasm for staying updated with the latest social media platforms, trends and developments.	Essential	Application and interview
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with ability to adapt content/messaging for platforms and audiences.	Essential	Interview / Application
Experience in social media community management and listening including monitoring and identifying reputational risks.	Essential	Interview / Application
Familiarity with Meta Insights, LinkedIn, TikTok and YouTube Analytics – including ability to report on key metrics to measure engagement and ROI.	Essential	Application and interview
Detail-oriented with strong organisational and time management skills, able to handle multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.	Essential	Interview / Application
Understanding of the relevant audiences and demographic.	Desirable	Interview / Application

 

Further Information

 

Grade	6
Salary	£32,080 – £36,636 per annum
Work arrangement	Full-time
Duration	Open ended
Line manager	Social Media Manager
Direct reports
Our website
For informal enquiries about this job contact Rob Barker, Social Media Manager: on rob.barker@sheffield.ac.uk

 

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take shortly after the advert closing date. This will consist of an interview and short presentation. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage as soon as possible. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Kath Dawson (k.s.dawson@sheffield.ac.uk)

 

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Professional Services Shared Skills Framework
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • support for those going through the menopause
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

 

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

 

Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page:- sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates (opens in a new window).

 

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.