GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION

Tougaloo College is a prestigious institution dedicated to preparing students to be lifelong learners, leaders, and servants in a global society. Offering diverse undergraduate and graduate programs, the College upholds its significant heritage as an independent, historically black liberal arts institution. Affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Tougaloo College remains committed to fostering educational accessibility and excellence. The College is located in Tougaloo, Mississippi, and takes pride in its rich legacy and enduring mission to impact communities positively.

The Digital Marketing and Communications Specialist is a key member of the Office of Communications & External Relations within the Division of Institutional Advancement. This position is responsible for building and amplifying Tougaloo College’s brand presence across all digital platforms through compelling content, strategic design, and technical execution. The specialist will develop and manage digital content across web, social media, email, and multimedia channels, ensuring brand consistency, audience engagement, and institutional visibility.

This role demands a highly creative, technically proficient, and self-directed professional who can manage multiple projects simultaneously, meet competing deadlines, and produce publication-quality work in a fast-paced, resource-lean environment. The specialist must be a skilled communicator, a confident content creator, and a collaborative partner to college leadership, faculty, staff, and students. Some travel, irregular hours, and weekend work may be required.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Content Creation & Digital Storytelling

Develop, schedule and publish a consistent volume of original content pieces per week across social media platforms and the College website, drawn from independent research and campus story-mining.
Draft written content including social media posts, press releases, event announcements, web copy, fundraising solicitations, speeches, and other institutional materials as needed.
Create and design digital media assets including infographics, data visualizations, social media graphics/tiles, e-newsletter layouts, and executive-level presentations.
Produce and coordinate multimedia content, including photography, short-form video, and reels, to increase reach and engagement.
Develop seasonal content, editorial features, and storytelling campaigns targeting alumni, donors, prospective students, and the broader public.

Website Management & Digital Infrastructure

Maintain, update, and manage the College’s website including publishing new content, updating graphics, replacing outdated resources, and ensuring accurate and timely information.
Write, edit, and format HTML/CSS code for web pages; troubleshoot front-end issues and coordinate with technical staff on back-end or CMS platform concerns (including Drupal or similar systems).
Ensure the website reflects institutional brand standards, accessibility requirements, and SEO best practices at all times.
Implement on-page and technical SEO strategies to improve organic search visibility and audience discovery of College content.
Analyze and report on web traffic, analytics, and digital engagement metrics using tools such as Google Analytics; use data to inform content strategy.

Social Media & Email Marketing

Manage all College social media channels (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, etc.), including day-to-day posting, audience engagement, and platform monitoring.
Create, schedule, and deploy digital content using content scheduling platforms, like the scheduling Meta Suite, to ensure consistent, timely publishing.
Develop and manage email marketing campaigns using platforms such as Constant Contact, including list segmentation, design, scheduling, and performance reporting.
Monitor social media comments, messages, and mentions; engage with audiences in a manner consistent with the College’s brand voice and communications strategy.
Track and report on social media analytics and email campaign performance; provide actionable insights to the Director of Communications.

Institutional Advancement, Strategic Communications & Campaign Management

Develop and execute multi-channel digital communications campaigns aligned with the College’s strategic plan, enrollment goals, fundraising initiatives, and institutional milestones.
Design and manage communications targeting alumni and donors, including the annual magazine, annual report, and event and fundraising collateral.
Carry design and web projects from concept to completion, adhering to brand standards and production timelines.
Collaborate with college leadership, Institutional Advancement, Student Affairs, academic departments, and student organizations to identify and develop story ideas that elevate the College’s image.
Support the Division of Institutional Advancement within the Office of Communications in planning and executing communications for major institutional events including Commencement, Founders’ Week, donor events, and speaker series.
Adherence to Division of Institutional Advancement work standards is required, including punctuality, regular attendance, and participation in DIA team meetings and college-wide functions.

Editorial & Media Relations Support

Maintain an up-to-date editorial calendar that coordinates content across digital channels, ensuring timely, consistent delivery of institutional messaging.
Maintain organized media contact lists across print, broadcast, digital, and social media outlets.
Support media inquiries and press relations as directed by the Director of Communications, including after-hours availability as needed.
Proofread all content for grammar, style, accuracy, brand adherence, and AP style compliance before publication.

Other

Attend and provide communications support at College events, including photography and live social media coverage as assigned.
Perform all other duties as assigned by the Director of Communications & External Relations, Vice President for Institutional Advancement, and College President.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Digital Media, Marketing, Public Relations, Graphic Design, or a related field required. A combination of equivalent education and demonstrated experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
Minimum of three (3) years of professional experience in digital communications, content creation, social media management, or a related field; higher education or nonprofit experience is a plus.

Technical Skills – Required

Proficiency in web content management systems (CMS), particularly Drupal; working knowledge of HTML and CSS for editing and formatting web content.
Experience with content scheduling and social media management platforms.
Proficiency in email marketing platforms such as Constant Contact or Mailchimp, including campaign creation, list management, and performance analysis.
Advanced proficiency in Canva and/or Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign or Premiere Pro) Canva for graphic design and multimedia content production.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and Google Workspace.
Working knowledge of Google Analytics or comparable analytics tools; ability to interpret data and translate insights into strategy.
Working knowledge of SEO principles and best practices.

Technical Skills – Preferred

Photography and/or videography experience; comfort with basic photo and video editing.
Experience with podcast production, YouTube management, or short-form video content creation (Reels, TikTok, Shorts).
Additional qualifications in web design and animation skills are a plus.
Experience with MVix or comparable digital signage platforms for managing and updating campus display monitors is a plus; candidates with a willingness to learn are encouraged to apply.

Professional Competencies

Demonstrated ability to write compellingly across multiple formats and audiences, with strong command of AP style, grammar, and brand voice.
Strong visual design instincts with the ability to produce polished, brand-consistent digital assets independently.
Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects, prioritize effectively, and meet tight deadlines without sacrificing quality.
Curiosity, creativity, and a storyteller’s instinct—driven to find and tell stories that advance the College’s mission and reputation.
Demonstrated judgment and discretion in handling sensitive communications and media inquiries.
Self-directed and proactive, with the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a small, high-output team.
Receptive to constructive feedback and work product critique; demonstrates a growth mindset and the ability to incorporate direction from supervisors to strengthen the quality and consistency of institutional communications.
Confidence, adaptability, and composure under pressure in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
Genuine commitment to the mission, legacy, and values of Tougaloo College as a historically Black college.
Diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

Salary: 40,000

Tougaloo College

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Digital Marketing & Communications Specialist