The Social Media Specialist will work collaboratively with the Marketing, Communications and Public Relations team to create, monitor, and support social media campaigns and programs. The incumbent will drive community engagement by updating, maintaining, creating, and expanding existing social media content.

1. Plan, create, and post organic social media content, including outreach to various programs and patients/students/families for information. Research trending hashtags and social media handles for other organizations/individuals for inclusion in post copy. Collaborate with Director, Public Relations and Social Media to ensure copy is concise and accurate.
2. Create monthly editorial calendars. Use knowledge of social media trends and Institute needs to determine what content to share on Kennedy Krieger’s four primary social media platforms. Collaborate with various internal programs to ensure content is aligned with the Institute’s overall communications objectives.
3. Manage the creation of all digital assets for social media. Use internal photography library and Canva to identify and create the majority of static images and video content shared on social media platforms. Collaborate with graphic designer and video producer for any additional asset needs.
4. Plan and execute live event coverage across social media platforms, including for internal special events.
5. Monitor social media platforms to ensure user-generated content is responded to/engaged with in a timely manner and to ensure public-facing negative comments and complaints are handled in a timely manner.
6. Recommend, plan, and execute organic boosting strategies, working with marketing generalists to determine budget and target demographics. Collaborate with Manager, Digital Marketing to ensure boosted content is properly tracked and invoiced.
7. Assist with the social media efforts of various programs within the Institute. Collaborate with the Director, Public Relations and Social Media to serve as social media subject matter expert, offering best practices and guidance. Create and monitor content shared on other non-Institute platforms (i.e. Women’s Initiative Network) as needed.
8. Coordinate photo or video opportunities for social media content at Kennedy Krieger and off-site. Take images/video for social media content, review photos, select final images, and ensure images are available in the Institute’s digital asset management system (Webdam).
9. Ensure participants in photos and video taken for social media content have appropriate consent forms on file.
10. Implement new social media strategies based on best practices and recommendations of public relations agency.
11. Collaborate with internal experts to ensure social media content is accessible to all users.
12. Recommend metrics for each Institute social media platform/campaign and produce reports for/on each platform.

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, computer science, public relations, journalism, news media, marketing, English, fine arts, or other related field is required.
• Master’s degree or post bachelor’s relevant coursework is preferred.

• Minimum 2 - 3 years of professional experience guiding social media campaigns and programs to include relevant experience across key social media platforms including, but not limited to, Meta, TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, blogs, etc.
• Experience using social media to drive non-profit and philanthropy/giving strategies preferred.
• Experience working in academic, healthcare, non-profit or research organizations, or with individuals with disabilities, is preferred.