Senior Social Media Specialist for College Sports and Digital Content Creation

Introduction to ESPN and the Role ESPN, a leader in the sports media industry, is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Social Media Specialist to join its dynamic team. As a Senior Social Media Specialist for College Sports, you will play a pivotal role in discovering, developing, and distributing engaging content across ESPN's social media platforms, with a primary focus on college sports, including football, men's and women's basketball, softball, and baseball. This position offers a unique opportunity to combine your passion for sports, social media, and content creation to drive success and growth in the digital media landscape. Key Responsibilities As a Senior Social Media Specialist, your key responsibilities will include: Creating high-quality, engaging content (visual, video, text) optimized for social platforms such as Instagram, X, TikTok, and Facebook Developing and managing content planning and strategy for college sports, ensuring alignment with ESPN's overall social media goals Collaborating with multiple internal partners, including designers, writers, and producers, to create comprehensive and compelling social content for a broad audience Assigning work to select peers and designers on occasion, providing guidance and feedback to ensure high-quality content Editing and approving social posts for journalistic accuracy, audience relevance, and tone, including real-time decision-making during content development Maintaining proficiency and knowledge in the latest social media trends, best practices, and platform updates Analyzing performance of social content, incorporating insights into future content decisions, and providing data-driven recommendations to optimize engagement and reach Performing supervisory duties and leading projects intermittently for a small team of social media members, providing guidance and support to ensure successful project execution Essential Qualifications To be successful in this role, you will need: A minimum of 4 years' experience working in a fast-paced social media environment with content creation responsibilities or relevant experience A minimum of 3 years' experience using video editing software (e.g., Final Cut, Premiere) and photo editing software (e.g., Photoshop, InDesign) Skilled in social media comprehension and execution across multiple social media platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram Possess excellent news judgment and verbal/written communication skills, with the ability to work quickly and juggle multiple tasks during a typical workday A strong understanding of journalistic standards and the ability to analyze and apply data to decision-making An appreciation and understanding of popular culture, contributing to an understanding of the tastes of ESPN's social media followers Knowledge of current sports, including teams, players, storylines, and forward-facing media personnel Preferred Qualifications While not required, the following qualifications are preferred: Previous brand voice and account launch management experience Experience using motion graphics or visual effects software (e.g., After Effects) Advanced knowledge of the latest social media and tech trends, with a passion for staying up-to-date on industry developments Education and Requirements A Bachelor's degree or equivalent in journalism, communications, online/multimedia, or a related field is required. You must be comfortable working some weekends and nights, as sports events often take place during these times. Career Growth Opportunities and Learning Benefits At ESPN, we are committed to helping our employees grow and develop in their careers. As a Senior Social Media Specialist, you will have access to: Ongoing training and professional development opportunities to stay up-to-date on the latest social media trends and best practices Mentorship and guidance from experienced professionals in the industry Opportunities to work on high-profile projects and events, including college sports championships and other major sporting events A collaborative and dynamic work environment that encourages creativity, innovation, and teamwork Work Environment and Company Culture ESPN is a leader in the sports media industry, with a strong commitment to excellence, innovation, and teamwork. Our company culture is built on a foundation of: A passion for sports and a commitment to delivering high-quality content to our fans A collaborative and dynamic work environment that encourages creativity, innovation, and teamwork A focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, with a commitment to creating a workplace that is welcoming and inclusive to all employees A strong emphasis on professional development and growth, with opportunities for ongoing training and education Compensation, Perks, and Benefits The hiring range for this position in Los Angeles, CA is $77,080 to $103,400 per year, and in New York, NY is $80,770 to $108,350 per year, based on a 40-hour work week. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered. Conclusion If you are a motivated and experienced social media professional with a passion for college sports, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity. As a Senior Social Media Specialist at ESPN, you will have the chance to work on high-profile projects, collaborate with a talented team of professionals, and contribute to the success of a leading sports media brand. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your career to the next level – apply now and join our dynamic team! Apply for this job