Digital Engagement and External Relations Manager
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Posted 5 weeks ago
Job Description
The Digital Engagement and External Relations Manager supports Keiser University's efforts to build meaningful relationships with alumni, employers, business leaders, community organizations, government officials, and other external stakeholders.
Working collaboratively with members of the Strategic Engagement and Partnerships Department, campus leadership, academic departments, and other University teams, the Manager will identify engagement opportunities, develop digital content, cultivate external relationships with University supporters, and support initiatives that strengthen the University's visibility and reputation.
This position combines social media and digital content development with community outreach, relationship management, event support, and government relations coordination. The Manager will help communicate Keiser University's student-first mission, workforce impact, academic programs, community partnerships, alumni success stories, and institutional priorities to a variety of audiences.
Key Responsibilities
Social Media and Digital Engagement
- Develop engaging social media content highlighting Keiser University students, alumni, faculty, programs, partnerships, events, and community impact.
- Assist with the development and execution of social media campaigns that support University priorities, institutional events, alumni engagement, workforce partnerships, and public-awareness initiatives.
- Create written, visual, and short-form video content for platforms including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and other emerging channels.
- Identify compelling stories involving student achievement, alumni success, employer partnerships, community service, and workforce development.
- Attend University and community events to capture photographs, videos, interviews, testimonials, and other digital content.
- Monitor social media performance and use analytics to evaluate reach, engagement, audience growth, and campaign effectiveness.
- Recommend content and engagement strategies based on platform performance, audience interests, and institutional goals.
- Help maintain consistent messaging, brand standards, tone, and visual identity across digital platforms.
- Coordinate with University marketing, public relations, videography, campus, and social media personnel to support an integrated communications strategy.
Alumni, Employer, and Community Engagement
- Work as part of the Alumni Relations team to develop and maintain relationships with Keiser University alumni, supporters, employers, business partners, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
- Conduct outreach to alumni and community partners to identify success stories, speaking opportunities, testimonials, mentorship opportunities, and potential participation in University initiatives.
- Support employer-engagement activities that connect Keiser University programs and graduates with Florida's workforce needs.
- Identify businesses, professional associations, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders that may be appropriate partners for University programs, events, and initiatives.
- Maintain regular communication with external partners and ensure timely follow-up on meetings, requests, commitments, and collaborative opportunities.
- Assist with the planning and execution of alumni gatherings, employer visits, community events, campus tours, recognition programs, and stakeholder meetings.
- Maintain accurate contact records, engagement histories, meeting notes, and follow-up assignments in the department's stakeholder or relationship-management systems.
- Help develop outreach materials, presentations, correspondence, invitations, talking points, and partnership proposals.
Government Relations and Public Affairs Support
- Support the University's state, local, and federal government relations activities under the direction of department leadership.
- Assist with research concerning legislation, public policy, workforce development, higher education, veterans, healthcare, economic development, and other issues affecting Keiser University and its students.
- Monitor legislative calendars, committee meetings, government announcements, and relevant policy developments.
- Prepare concise background materials, meeting summaries, briefing documents, talking points, correspondence, and stakeholder profiles.
- Help coordinate meetings, campus visits, roundtables, and special events involving elected officials, government staff, community leaders, and public-policy organizations.
- Assist with outreach and scheduling for University advocacy initiatives, including meetings with policymakers and participation in legislative events.
- Track follow-up items arising from meetings with government officials, staff members, and external organizations.
- Support the collection of student, alumni, workforce, and institutional impact stories that demonstrate the University's value to communities and policymakers.
- Maintain accurate records of government and community contacts, meetings, correspondence, and engagement activities.
- Exercise discretion and sound judgment when handling sensitive, confidential, or politically significant information.
- Ensure that all government-relations activities remain consistent with University policies, institutional priorities, and applicable laws and regulations.
Events and Special Initiatives
- Assist in planning and staffing University events, community programs, legislative visits, employer activities, alumni initiatives, and special projects.
- Coordinate invitations, attendance lists, registration, schedules, briefing materials, signage, photography, digital promotion, and post-event follow-up.
- Help recruit alumni, employers, students, and community partners to participate in University events and campaigns.
- Support major departmental initiatives involving workforce development, student advancement, public awareness, community relations, and institutional milestones.
- Prepare post-event reports that document participation, outcomes, media or social media activity, and recommended follow-up.
- Perform other related duties and special projects as assigned.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, public relations, business, political science, public administration, or a related field.
- Professional experience in social media, marketing, business development, sales, community outreach, external relations, partnership development, or a related area.
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain productive relationships with businesses, clients, alumni, community leaders, or other external stakeholders.
- Experience developing social media content and using digital platforms to increase audience engagement.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects, events, deadlines, and follow-up responsibilities.
- Ability to communicate professionally with senior executives, alumni, employers, elected officials, government staff, community leaders, students, and University personnel.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.
- Sound judgment, professionalism, discretion, and attention to detail.
- Willingness to attend occasional evening or weekend events and travel to University campuses or external meetings as needed.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, social media platforms, and digital communication tools.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in higher education, media, government affairs, community relations, alumni relations, sales, or business development.
- Experience managing organizational or professional social media accounts.
- Demonstrated success growing a digital audience or improving social media reach and engagement.
- Experience developing business-to-business partnerships, sponsorships, or community initiatives.
- Experience coordinating events, themed campaigns, stakeholder programs, or public-facing initiatives.
- Familiarity with social media analytics, content scheduling, customer relationship management systems, or contact databases.
- Experience creating short-form videos, graphics, interviews, testimonials, or event-based content.
- Familiarity with Florida's business, civic, government, workforce-development, or higher-education communities.
- Interest in public policy, government relations, workforce development, and higher education advocacy.
This is a full-time position located in Fort Lauderdale, FL, and requires day, evening, and weekend availability. Occasional travel is required for this position.
At Keiser University, we are here to help you succeed by providing the professional and academic foundation to meet your educational goals and objectives. Keiser University continues to be a valuable partner to employers and the community and, above all, a valued choice for students serious about their education and careers.Keiser University is a private, not-for-profit university, serving nearly 20,000 students and employing 3,800 faculty and staff members. Co-founded in 1977 by Chancellor Arthur Keiser, Ph.D., and Evelyn Keiser, the university offers over 100 degrees at 21 Florida campuses, online, and two international sites.Home to 25 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) teams, the Keiser University Seahawks ranked 4th in the country in the 2018-2019 Learfield Director's Cup Rankings, had 74 All-Americans, 74 Academic All-Conference members, a student-athlete GPA above 3.0, 11 teams qualified for the NAIA National Tournament with 1 team crowned the 2018-2019 National Champion (men's swimming). Keiser University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges as a level VI institution to award certificates and degrees at the associate, baccalaureate, master's, specialist, and doctoral levels. For additional information regarding Keiser University, visit www.keiseruniversity.edu.
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