Social Media Specialist

Laguna College of Art Design is seeking a full-time experienced Social Media Specialist. The College is located in an internationally recognized arts colony in Laguna Beach, California and offers a diversity of majors in Animation, Graphic Design and Digital Media, Fine Art, Game Development, Illustration, and Entertainment Design.

Position Summary:

The Social Media Specialist is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing the Laguna College of Art Design’s social media presence. This position runs all LCAD social media accounts according to the organizational marketing strategy. Responsibilities include creating content, posting, monitoring posts, and conducting data analytical reporting for LCAD’s institutional channels, including Instagram, Facebook, X, TikTok, and LinkedIn. The Social Media Specialist is responsible for establishing and managing individual program-level Instagram accounts in collaboration with the Director of Marketing Communications and the Department Chairs.

This role is responsible for strengthening LCAD’s brand through creative content, data-driven strategy, and consistent, high-quality engagement. The Social Media Specialist plays a key role within the Marketing Communications Department to support broader institutional goals including student enrollment, college fundraising, storytelling, and community engagement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Content Creation Planning

• Develop engaging content (e.g., posts, videos, stories, graphics) tailored to each platform.
• Write compelling copy that aligns with brand voice.
• Plan and maintain a social media content calendar and coordinate cross-departmental needs as appropriate.
• Produce high-quality visual assets, including graphics, short-form videos, motion content, and photo-based content following LCAD’s Visual Identity Guidelines.
• Ensure all content aligns with accessibility standards and LCAD branding requirements.

Social Media Management

• Publish and schedule content across platforms (Instagram, Facebook, X, TikTok, LinkedIn, etc.).
• Execute and maintain LCAD’s overarching social media strategy across all institutional platforms.
• Ensure consistent posting cadence and visual style.
• Design, launch, and maintain individual Instagram accounts for each academic program in partnership with the Department Chairs and the Director of Marketing Communications.
• Plan and execute paid social media advertising campaigns including targeting, tracking, and performance reporting.
• Uphold best practices for account security and social media management.

Community Engagement

• Respond to comments, messages, and mentions promptly.
• Monitor and engage with followers, influencers, and relevant brand communities.
• Escalate issues or concerns to the Director of Marketing Communications.
• Engage with students, faculty, alumni, and the community to highlight achievements, events, exhibitions, and campus life.
• Provide on-site support for campus events to capture real-time content as needed.

Analytics Reporting

• Track performance metrics such as reach, engagement, CTR, follower growth, conversions, lead generations, and awareness and visibility KPIs.
• Analyze trends to provide insights to improve strategy.
• Produce weekly or monthly performance reports.
• Monitor social media trends, competitor activity, platform updates, and best practices to keep LCAD’s digital presence current and competitive.

Collaboration

• Collaborate with the Marketing Communications team to support campaigns, initiatives, and institutional storytelling.
• Collaborate with the Director of Marketing Communications to ensure all social media supports LCAD’s brand, voice, messaging, and strategic initiatives.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Position Requirements, Experience, and Education:

This individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This individual must have a desire to work in a team-oriented environment that serves a diverse population.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Digital Media, Journalism or related field preferred; equivalent experience will also be considered.

Experience

• Three years of demonstrated social media experience required (professional or agency setting preferred).
• Experience in short-form video content creation required.
• Experience managing paid social media advertising campaigns required.

Licenses

Must have a valid U.S. driver’s license and carry automobile insurance coverage. Automobile insurance coverage must meet minimum liability insurance requirements for private passenger vehicles. Although not required, it is recommended to have the following insurance limits: bodily injury liability insurance coverage of at least $50,000 per person/$50,000 per accident and property damage liability of $5,000 per accident.

Position Requirements

• Advanced experience with social platforms: Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and YouTube required.
• Proficiency with social media management tools (Hootsuite, Later, Sprout, Buffer, etc.) required.
• Advanced experience with the Adobe Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and Adobe Premier) required.
• Proficiency within Google Suite required.
• Experience working in higher education, arts organizations, or creative industries is preferred.
• Understanding of analytics tools (native insights, Google Analytics, etc.) required.
• Photography/videography familiarity for content creation required.
• Strong understanding of social media best practices, analytics, and platform trends required.
• Ability to track KPIs and turn data into insights required.
• Understanding of social media algorithms required.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks, deadlines, and priorities required.
• Ability to work proactively, take direction, and collaborate with colleagues, faculty, and students.
• Demonstrated ability to produce consistent, high-quality work in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to develop positive working relationships across campus.
• Demonstrated effectiveness as a culturally competent professional with broad experience interacting with and supporting the needs of a diverse student population and/or staff and faculty required.
• Excellent listening, written, and verbal communication and interpersonal skills required.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team required.
• Excellent spelling, grammar, and editing skills required.
• Must be able to drive personal vehicle for business purposes and must pass DMV background check and have minimum insurance requirements as set by LCAD.

This individual will also be able to perform the following essential functions:

• Regular attendance is considered an essential job function; the inability to meet attendance requirements may preclude an individual from retaining employment.
• Take and follow directions.
• Work cooperatively with others.
• Receive and respond appropriately to constructive criticism.
• Display a positive attitude.
• Balance multiple tasks and priorities.
• Performs other essential duties and tasks specific to the position.

Physical Essential Functions:

Sitting, typing, and moving from one place to another. This position mostly takes place indoors in an office environment sitting at a desk and working in front of a computer. This position will be required to work various events as needed for social media coverage. Occasional lifting of up to 25 lbs.

Business Hours:

Regular business hours for the College are Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM. Regular hours may vary based on the College’s needs and type of position. Must be available for occasional evening/weekend events. Travel will be required.

Classification and Status:

This is an exempt position.

This is a regular, full-time position.

This is a benefits-eligible position.

Salary Range: $75,460.00 - $90,552.00 per year

The posted salary range reflects the College’s anticipated hiring salary range, but the final salary range is subject to negotiation and additional factors, such as the candidate’s background, experience, and alignment with institutional needs.

Background Check:

This individual will be required to undergo a job-related background check, inclusive of employment and education verification. Some positions may require successful completion of a post-offer agility test. Employment is contingent on satisfactory results of the aforementioned, in addition to compliance with requirements cited in this job description.

At-Will Employment:

Employment with the College is “at-will” meaning that the terms of employment may be changed with or without notice, with or without cause, including but not limited to termination, demotion, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, duties, and location of work. There is no agreement expressed or implied between the College and you for continuing or long-term employment. While the College has every hope that employment relationships will be mutually beneficial and rewarding, employees and the College retain the right to terminate the employment relationship at will, at any time, with or without cause. The President is the only person who can modify or alter the at-will employment relationship.

Benefits if applicable:

Medical, dental, and vision healthcare benefits, 403(b) retirement savings plan, paid vacation, paid sick and paid holidays, life insurance/AD&D, long term disability, LCAD tuition benefit, among other benefits. Waiting period may apply.

Full time position; salary commensurate with experience. Qualified applicants are encouraged to submit a cover letter, resume, portfolio, and salary requirements to hr@lcad.edu.

Laguna College of Art Design is an Equal Opportunity Employer:

All applicants and employees have equal employment opportunities with Laguna College of Art Design (“LCAD”) regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), color, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and/or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, uniform service member status, military or veteran status, marital status, age, protected medical condition, physical or mental disability, genetic characteristics, political affiliation status, domestic violence victim status, reproductive health decision making, medical leave or other types of protected leave, use of cannabis off the job and away from the workplace for California employees, any combination of the foregoing characteristics, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Employment shall be based solely on LCAD’s needs and the individual’s qualifications.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $75,460.00 - $90,552.00 per year

Work Location: In person

Salary : $75,460 - $90,552