Social Media Specialist

Job summary:
The Social Media Specialist takes a lead role in creating daily content to support audience engagement on the Aquarium’s social media properties, ensuring best-in-class storytelling that supports the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s mission to inspire conservation of the ocean. This role includes content strategy, ideation and creation as well as scheduling and project management. The Social Media Specialist also participates in social care, responding to questions and comments from followers in a timely and engaging way.

Core Responsibilities

Write engaging posts that support the Aquarium’s mission

Keep abreast of trending news and hashtags: respond rapidly to emerging opportunities; stay current on social media platforms, trends and best practices and incorporate them into the Aquarium’s social strategy

Manage the daily content calendar: work proactively and collaboratively with key stakeholders to develop and implement a schedule for mission-driven campaigns

Monitor and track performance of posts: working with the Senior Social Media Manager to perform analysis, including documentation of actionable insights, preparing reports and sharing data with key stakeholders as needed

Uphold standards for producing content including tone, voice and style, while creating content suited to the unique voice of each platform

Support online customer care efforts by responding to questions and comments from followers

Collaborate with staff throughout the Aquarium to discover story ideas and ensure that the Aquarium’s social channels contain updated news about our animals, events and programs

Cultivate relationships with the Aquarium’s current followers and engage in online conversation to increase the Aquarium’s online presence and grow fans organically

Collaborate with the social team and key stakeholders to develop and implement Social Media campaigns that will drive action in support of the Aquarium’s conservation programs and attendance goals

Work closely with the Aquarium’s Marketing team to coordinate the amplification of key Aquarium stories

Absolutely Required Skills / Knowledge / Ability / Experience or Education

At least 5 years of related professional experience with a minimum of two years on the social media team of a business or organization

Excellent verbal and written communication skills; able to distill complex ideas and scientific concepts in an accurate, engaging and understandable way for the general public

Creative problem solver

Demonstrated mastery of social media strategy and best practices on platforms including, but not limited to, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter

Demonstrated experience in executing a compelling and effective social media strategy across multiple platforms

Avid user and early adopter of social platforms

Clear understanding of meeting project deadlines

Able to take initiative and prioritize tasks; excellent time management

Flexibility in responding to changes in business priorities; proven ability to work effectively and efficiently under multiple, competing deadlines

Team player who thrives in a fast-paced and changing environment

Able to work a flexible schedule including occasional evenings and weekends

Ability to work within, and maintain MBA’s Core Values

Must possess a valid California driver’s license and maintain clearance in the DMV Pull Program

Desired Skills / Knowledge / Ability / Experience or Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications, marine biology or related field preferred

Subject-matter proficiency related to basic marine biology and/or environmental science

Demonstrated photography and/or videography production and editing skills

Experience with online monitoring and measurement platforms including, but not limited to, Social Studio, Facebook Insights, Twitter Insights, Google Analytics, TweetDeck and CrowdTangle

Experience with search engine optimization and marketing

(ref. 22251)