The Talent Acquisition department hires qualified candidates to fill positions which contribute to the overall strategic success of Howard University. Hiring staff “for fit” makes significant contributions to Howard University’s overall mission.

At Howard University, we prioritize well-being and professional growth.

Here is what we offer: 

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus mental health support
• Work-Life Balance: PTO, paid holidays, flexible work arrangements
• Financial Wellness: Competitive salary, 403(b) with company match 
• Professional Development: Ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement paths
• Additional Perks: Wellness programs, commuter benefits, and a vibrant company culture

Join Howard University and thrive with us! 

https://hr.howard.edu/benefits-wellness

The Howard University Institute for Advanced Study (HIAS) engages thinkers and scholars at Howard University, in the country, and around the world in addressing deep and persisting racial inequities in areas including, but not limited to, technology, the environment, healthcare, the economy, governance, education, and the criminal legal system.

In addition to a residential fellowship program for intellectuals, and a research program, HIAS is home to The Emancipator, an award-winning nonprofit digital magazine that reimagines the nation’s first abolitionist newspapers for a new day. The Emancipator’s mission, like those who came before us, is to leverage the power of journalism to turn public opinion against racist policies and ideas.

Together, HIAS plans to enhance the general public’s understanding of racism and evidence-based antiracist solutions through research, collaboration, public lectures, workshops, and outreach programs.

JOB PURPOSE:

The Social Media Coordinator acts as a conduit between scholars, researchers, journalists, and the public by creating engaging and impactful social media content that shares the work of HIAS across its programmatic areas. The Social Media Coordinator creates and posts social media content that is mission-focused, sharp, timely, relevant, fast, deftly researched and vetted, and well produced. This work includes posts in support of the HIAS Director, its research program and public events, and The Emancipator’s regular daily news coverage. The Social Media Coordinator will have experience producing high-quality content at a high output. The ideal candidate will share a commitment to the mission of HIAS and possess an ability to identify what events or stories are newsworthy, as well as an instinct for the historical implications of current events. The Social Media Coordinator reports directly to the Chief of Staff/Associate Director of Research. This position is funded by a one-year grant, with the possibility of renewal.

SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY:

While this role has no direct supervisory authority, the Social Media Coordinator may be asked to help mentor student interns and/or student employees. This role may be asked to serve as lead on projects related to helping promote the mission and goals of HIAS.

NATURE AND SCOPE:

This position will interact with faculty, staff, students, and internal and external contacts. 

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Create and post regular (daily and weekly) content, as directed, that promotes mission and work of HIAS
• Attend and create content for HIAS’s public events
• Pitch timely, relevant, mission-aligned content
• Adhere to operational structure and workflows
• Adhere to the publishing calendar and cadence

• Utilize editorial support services such as webpage hosting, photos, videos, Slack, and social media

Collaboration and Communication:

• Collaborate with the research team and The Emancipator team on content creation
• Work with the HIAS Director, Chief of Staff/Associate Director of Research, and the editors of The Emancipator to execute a social media strategy
• Help maintain a collegial and professional working environment

• Coordinate with other departments or external partners when necessary and directed

• Communicate collegially, clearly and effectively, both in writing and verbally

Professional Development and Media Appearances:

• Collaborate with Director and Chief of Staff/Associate Director of Research and, where applicable, Howard University public relations office, on media engagement
• Identify professional development opportunities such as conferences, lectures, and speaking engagements alongside the Director and Chief of Staff/Associate Director of Research

CORE COMPETENCIES: 

Technical Proficiency:

• Highly skilled in high-impact content creation for a sizable audience across various platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Threads, Bluesky, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Squarespace-hosted websites
• Proficient at creating and editing graphics and videos for social media
• Proficient in CMS, news analytics tools, social media platforms, video and photo databases
• Skilled in navigating government, public records, and archival databases

Attention to Detail:

• Sharp and highly experienced news judgment
• Meticulous in handling and publishing content
• Diligent in producing accurate, timely, well reported, vetted, and sourced content

Organizational Skills:

• Effectively manage time to meet project deadlines
• Handle multiple tasks and adjust priorities based on project needs

Analytical Thinking:

• Offer solutions to workflow challenges and inefficiencies

• Track, monitor, and analyze user engagement across platforms and report findings to the Chief of Staff/Associate Director of Research and the Managing Editor of The Emancipator

Communication Skills:

• Clear and effective written and verbal communication
• Provide instructions and feedback to students or junior staff

Collaborative Skills:

• Work well within a team and contribute to group projects
• Ability to “manage up” with higher level leadership

Adaptability:

• Flexibly adapt to new technologies and methods
• Continuously learn and seek professional development
• Handle multiple tasks and adjust priorities as needed

Project Management:

• Oversee content from inception to completion
• Track progress and report on outcomes

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Based in the Washington D.C. metro area.
• Education: Bachelor’s Degree or higher
• Minimum 3 years of social media content production experience in a newsroom setting
• Experienced at creating and editing graphics and videos for social media
• Demonstrated social media production on race and justice editorial content
• Demonstrated ability to participate on teams of varied sizes–including those that include freelancers/contributors
• Demonstrated experience in directly producing breaking-news style social media content

• Knowledge of digital publishing protocols and analytics 

• Experience with CMS and social media production and digital editing software

• Strong attention to detail and organization accuracy with recordkeeping

• Troubleshooting and problem-solving expertise

• Demonstrated initiative to work self-directed yet with a collaborative style

• Strong verbal and written communications skills

Compliance Salary Range Disclosure

Expected Salary: $70,000

Compliance Salary Range Disclosure

Compensation Range: $60,000 - $70,000