Senior New Media Specialist

The Division of University Relations represents an integrated approach to Communications (Brand, News, Media Relations and Strategic Communications) and Government Relations (Community, State and Federal). More than 50 University Relations communicators collaborate with and provide support to the colleges, schools and administrative units within the university. This includes promoting and raising the visibility of Cornell University to a wide variety of internal and external audiences in support of the university strategic priorities.

The New Media team—part of Strategic Communications—oversees the university’s social media strategy, developing an online community where members engage with Cornell’s brand and sustain lifelong relationships. The team works with partners across Cornell to create and curate content for the university-level social media platforms. New Media monitors trends in digital media, shares knowledge and fosters engagement with the university’s online communities, including Brand Ambassador training for individuals and units who represent Cornell on social media.

Learn more about our organization and explore other opportunities on our careers page.

The Opportunity

The Senior New Media Specialist is responsible for developing and executing social media strategies that strengthen Cornell’s brand and engage community in the life of the university. The Senior New Media Specialist reports to the Chief New Media Officer and collaborates with stakeholders to promote Cornell University and its core strategic messages on digital platforms.

We highly value the importance that culture plays in the success of an organization and each hire should positively add to our culture and commit to effectively work and interact respectfully to foster a diverse and inclusive environment.

This is a full-time position located in Ithaca, NY, an active and diverse community to work and thrive in! The successful candidate will spend several days a week on Cornell’s campus in Ithaca. Fully remote work out of state or the region is not an option for this role.

Key Responsibilities

These include, but are not limited:

• Planning, developing, and publishing content on university-level social media platforms. Ensuring that content meets the highest-quality editorial and visual standards, SEO best practices, and alignment with communications priorities. Working with college and units’ partners to help support promotion and coverage of campus events and ensure alignment of social media planning.
• Providing guidance and mentoring to the New Media Specialists’ role in various projects.
• Acting as a community manager. Developing a community with strong affinity to Cornell by increasing engagement among followers, and by connecting new users with resources to help them get involved in the life of the university. Monitoring online sentiment and suggesting solutions to better engage audiences and communicate key priorities. Managing social stripe on cornell.edu, socialmedia.cornell.edu and president.cornell.edu websites.
• Assisting the Chief New Media Officer in training communication staff and university administrators.
• Advising college and unit partners on launching new accounts, social media strategy, as well answering questions regarding content, platforms, and trends. Co-hosting a bi-monthly meeting with the Chief New Media Officer and New Media Specialist.

If you have a desire to be part of a small, growing new business model with eagerness to develop the company culture, best practices and to meet and exceed industry standards of quality we encourage you to apply with your resume and cover letter!!

What You Need

• Bachelor's degree in arts, marketing, communications, or related field, and a minimum of 3 to 5 years of related full time work experience managing social media community or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.
• Superior writing and editing skills; strong understanding of how to write and design content for social media.
• Knowledge of image/video manipulation design tools.
• High level of proficiency in social media management tools.
• Experience developing distribution strategies for multiple social media platforms and audiences.
• Excellent judgment in sensitive and confidential situations, and the ability to follow established protocols.
• Ability to work nonstandard business hours, when warranted by university events or issues.
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects in a busy environment with flexibility, accuracy, efficiency, and attention to detail.
• Understanding of and appreciation for topics, issues, and culture in contemporary higher education.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.
• Ability to deliver and receive feedback with diplomacy, empathy, and confidence.
• Commitment to effectively work and interact respectfully to foster a diverse and inclusive environment.

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is situated in picturesque Ithaca, New York, the heart of the Finger Lakes. Ithaca is home to two academic institutions, state parks, waterfalls, gorges, and a wide range of art galleries, theaters, eateries, wineries, and breweries. Ithaca has something to suit all ages and interests.
• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives.
• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: https://hr.cornell.edu/benefits-pay.
• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: https://hr.cornell.edu/jobs/your-total-rewards.
• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, vacation and paid holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1.
• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program.

No visa sponsorship or relocation assistance is available for this position.

Online Submission Guidelines:

Most positions at Cornell will require you to apply online and submit both a resume/CV and cover letter.  You can upload documents either by “dragging and dropping” them into the dropbox or by using the “upload” icon on the application page. For more detailed instructions on how to apply to a job at Cornell, visit How We Hire on the HR website.

Employment Assistance:

For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email mycareer@cornell.edu.

If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell University's Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at equity@cornell.edu.

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also visit the office of Workforce Recruitment and Retention Monday - Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. to use a dedicated workstation to complete an online application.

Notice to Applicants:

Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.

EEO Statement:

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law. 

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff to all identities and backgrounds. We encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.