Communications and Social Media Manager

About ECC:

Elgin Community College serves over 9,000 students at every stage of their educational journeys, including university transfer programs, career and technical education, continuing education classes, and adult basic education. As a community, we pride ourselves on nurturing a welcoming campus where every person - students, staff members, faculty members, and campus visitors - feels valued. The work of each ECC employee is central to the college’s mission, and as an employer, the college fosters a positive environment through professional challenges, excellent benefits, and opportunities for recognition and camaraderie.

Work Schedule:

M-F 8a-5p

Rate of Pay:

This is a Full-Time Administrative position at grade 15 with an annual salary range of $63,673 to $84,897 The salary offer will be based on education and experience, in alignment with the College’s compensation philosophy and the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), if applicable.

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA, DCA, Commuter)
• Retirement Plans (Pension, 457b, 403b)
• Time Off with Pay
• Professional Development/Expense
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Sick Banks

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Grant Funded:

No

Job Summary:

The Communications and Social Media Manager develops and executes written, visual, and digital communications that advance Elgin Community College's mission, support institutional priorities, and engage students, employees, alumni, and community stakeholders.

Under the direction of the Director of Communications, this position develops content strategies and plans for social media, ECCTV, and digital signage while independently managing day-to-day content creation, publishing, audience engagement, and content performance. The position develops and manages content across multiple communication channels; writes news stories, feature articles, and other institutional communications; supports media relations activities; collaborates with photographers, videographers, and Creative Services staff; analyzes communication metrics; and assists with executive, emergency, and crisis communications as assigned. The position exercises independent judgment in content development, editorial decisions, project prioritization, and the management of multiple concurrent assignments.

As the designated backup to the Director of Communications for operational communications matters, the position ensures continuity of communications functions during the Director's absence by coordinating ongoing activities, responding to routine communications needs, and maintaining established workflows and deadlines.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

1. Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, English, Marketing, or a related field from an accredited institution required.
2. Minimum five years of professional experience in communications, public relations, marketing, social media, journalism, or a related field.
3. Minimum three years of experience developing, implementing, and evaluating social media strategies and campaigns to drive engagement and inform communication efforts.
4. Demonstrated experience creating strategic content across multiple platforms, including social media, websites, email communications, digital signage, and other digital channels.
5. Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with the ability to adapt content, tone, and style for diverse audiences and communication channels; proficiency in AP style required.
6. Demonstrated ability to translate complex information into clear, engaging content and identify compelling stories that support organizational objectives.
7. Experience with content management systems, social media management platforms, digital analytics tools, Microsoft Office applications, and Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop preferred).
8. Strong project management, organizational, and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
9. Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, with the ability to conduct interviews, build collaborative relationships, present information effectively, and represent the department professionally.
10. Proficiency with digital communication platforms and emerging technologies, including social media channels, web publishing systems, digital signage applications, and analytics tools.

Desired Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

1. Experience supporting media relations, employee communications, or higher education communications preferred.
2. Knowledge of accessibility standards, search engine optimization (SEO) best practices, web publishing, and emerging communication trends preferred.
3. Leadership or supervisory experience preferred

Essential Duties:

1. Social Media Management

• Research and create content for all ECC’s social media channels, current and emerging.
• Manage the college's social media content calendar and publish content across established and emerging platforms.
• Capture photo and video content as needed to support timely storytelling while coordinating with institutional photographers on larger projects and campaigns.
• Monitor engagement, respond to inquiries, identify emerging issues, and recommend opportunities to strengthen audience engagement.
• Analyze performance metrics and recommend content strategies based on data and institutional priorities.
• Collaborate with Marketing on paid and organic campaigns that support enrollment, retention, and brand awareness.
• Conceptualize and create original graphics and other imagery for posting independently and in coordination with creative content staff.
• Leads specific, targeted organic social media campaigns for various departments, such as Marketing, the ECC Foundation, Financial Aid, and International Programs. Ability to create a plan for the campaign, write in the appropriate voice for the department, and measure results to suggest future campaign topics for the department.
• Manage live stream events on various social media platforms in collaboration with faculty, deans, admissions and other departments to impact enrollment or serve the district.
• Monitor sites continuously, including during off-office hours for comments or questions and determine what messages require immediate follow-up, write appropriate responses or work with appropriate department to determine necessary answers. Stay up to date with new digital technologies and social media best practices.
• Train and advise internal departments on how to integrate and maintain a cohesive social media strategy that align with brand guidelines. Conduct social media training for all new account holders.

2. Communications (internal and external)

• Manage and prioritize client requests for social media promotion, media relations requests, internal communications support (i.e. employee newsletter), and outreach to community partners.
• Coordinate, set up, and manage virtual and hybrid college-wide meetings and events, i.e., coordinate meetings for institutional level meetings such as the all-college meetings, employee convocation, student sessions including recording and posting content post-event, maintain compliance and ensure accessibility to align with the college’s shared value of equity.
• Assists with managing the ECC News Room and employee intranet.
• Assists when needed with college news release schedules. News release process includes working with the President’s Office to send out board agendas, writing and verifying information, posting news releases and images on ECC’s News & Events web page, and distributing release to media outlets.
• Support the Director of Communications in executing ECC’s media relations strategy, which may include interacting with reporters and photographers, setting up interviews with experts, and writing pitches. Maintain continuity of communications operations during periods when the Director is unavailable, addressing routine matters and escalating sensitive or high-profile issues as appropriate.
• Write stories and conduct interviews for Impact Magazine, Community Report, and other special publications or documents as assigned. Includes research and planning for editorial plan under the guidance of the Director of Communications.
• Strategize and create content and message strategy for internal (ECCTV), vertical screens, and external digital signage (Gateway signs) to keep messaging fresh, timely, and relevant in an effort to maintain communications standards and transparency. Review and maintain the order of digital sign playlists to ensure that accurate and relevant messages are displayed.
• Manage the deployment of portable vertical screens for college events and other communications needs, including retrieving screens from storage, transporting and positioning them at requested campus locations, connecting and setting up the equipment, and returning screens to storage when no longer needed.
• Assist with communication planning for major college events, strategic initiatives, and executive projects.
• Serve as an engaged member of the Marketing and Communications team. Attend meetings and participate in ECC internal and external functions as assigned, (for example, commencement ceremonies). Assist the director of communications and/or chief marketing and communications officer with the execution of communications plans.

3. Crisis Mitigation and Management (10%)

• Serve as a member of the college's Crisis Communications Team by assisting with the development and dissemination of timely, accurate communications during emergencies.
• Serve as a crisis communications lead when delegated by the Director.
• Monitor social media and digital channels for emerging issues that could affect the college's reputation and escalate concerns appropriately.
• Manage emergency alerts as needed through RAVE and site-wide website notice.
• Participate in semi-annual crisis media training.

Other Duties:

1. Perform other duties as assigned which pertain to the job description.
2. Ability to work a flexible schedule which includes days/evenings/weekends as needed by the department.

Physical Demands:

Light (up to 25 lbs occasionally or 10lbs frequently)

Visual Acuity:

Close visual acuity (e.g. computer, assembly)

Work Environment:

Moderate noise

Environmental Conditions:

Typical office or administrative

Outdoor weather

Current SSECCA Union Member Information:

The initial posting date for this position is 11/06/2026. Elgin Community College Support Staff Association (SSECCA) members that apply by 11/13/2026 and meet the posted minimum qualifications will receive full consideration.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Elgin Community College does not discriminate, or tolerate discrimination, against any member of its community on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex/gender/gender identity, age, religion, disability, pregnancy, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law in matters of admissions, employment, or in any aspect of the educational programs or activities it offers.

In addition, Elgin Community College provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to ensure equal access and equal opportunities with regard to employment practices, educational opportunities, and programs and services. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the College’s EEO/AA Officer. Determinations on request for a reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.