Position Function:
The Assistant Director for Brand Advancement & Social Media Strategy works in close collaboration with the Assistant Athletics Director for Brand Advancement & Content Strategy and the Senior Associate Athletics Director for Communications & Content to lead content distribution and social media strategy for Mississippi State Athletics. This role is responsible for planning, executing and evaluating initiatives that enhance the department’s brand, elevate its digital presence and deepen fan engagement. The position partners with marketing and fan experience, communications, creative services, creative content, photography, Bulldog Sports Properties, Bulldog Athlete Services, NIL and individual team staffs to develop integrated campaigns, manage social media platforms, and analyze engagement data to inform strategy, optimize performance, and drive measurable results.
Salary Grade: 13
Please see Staff Compensation Structure for salary ranges.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Assist in leading Mississippi State Athletics’ social media strategy, content planning, platform innovation and real-time storytelling to drive brand engagement, fan growth and revenue opportunities across all digital channels.
2. Help develop, implement and oversee sport-specific social media strategies in collaboration with communications, creative, marketing, NIL and team staffs to promote games, events, student-athletes and programs.
3. Serve as the primary communications contact and social media manager for an assigned sport, leading digital coverage and collaborating with coaches, sport staff and content creators to produce high-quality, on-brand content.
4. Develop, maintain and manage content calendars to coordinate and schedule publishing across all official Mississippi State Athletics social platforms (e.g., X, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube), ensuring alignment with campaigns, sport schedules and brand messaging.
5. Plan and execute the creation, curation and publishing of compelling, visually engaging content across platforms, ensuring it adheres to brand guidelines and supports business goals.
6. Monitor breaking news, major moments, live events and social media channels to implement responsive content strategies.
7. Write and edit clear, engaging and brand-consistent copy for social media posts, graphics and videos.
8. Shoot, edit and publish short-form video content from games, practices and events to maximize engagement and audience growth.
9. Collaborate with content teams to ideate innovative campaigns and fan engagement activations that celebrate the passion and loyalty of Bulldog fans.
10. Partner with other members of the external relations team to integrate partner activations and promotional campaigns into social content.
11. Audit and evaluate social media practices across main and team accounts to ensure brand consistency, compliance and performance optimization.
12. Track, analyze and present social media performance data, providing preseason, midseason and postseason analytics reports to sport-specific external pods, department leadership and key stakeholders.
13. Stay informed on evolving social media trends, platform updates and best practices to keep Mississippi State Athletics at the forefront of digital engagement.
14. Maintain organized digital content archives and manage social media tools to ensure efficiency and accessibility.
15. Help ensure all content and activities comply with Mississippi State University, SEC and NCAA rules and regulations.
16. Perform related duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibility: This position will in-part supervise social media student intern(s).
The above essential duties are representative of major duties in this position. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary based upon departmental needs. Other duties may be assigned to the above consistent with the knowledge, skills and abilities required for the job. Not all of the duties may be assigned to a position.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Communication or Public Relations, Marketing, or related fields with one (1) year of experience in intercollegiate or professional sports-related marketing strategies, social and/or digital media, or related area with a proven record of progressive approach to digital marketing.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience working in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator)
• Strong understanding of established and emerging social platforms including but not limited to X, TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.
• Strong understanding of social analytics and content trends.
• Excellent attention to detail and an ability to produce high-quality, accurate work within designated deadlines.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel and Word)
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate with various constituents.
• Ability to foster a cooperative work environment.
• Project management and leadership skills.
• Highly organized and ability to balance multiple projects and deadlines.
• Willing to work in a team atmosphere where expectations are set and managed while giving staff flexibility to do their assigned task as both a leader and/or a follower.
• Ability to work long hours, including nights and weekends.
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
• Frequent interruptions based on changing priorities; involves occasional exposure to demands and pressures from persons other than immediate supervisor.
• Work hours are unpredictable and may require nights and weekends.
• Limited exposure to elements such as heat, cold, noise, dust, dirt, chemicals, etc., but none to the point of being disagreeable.
• May involve minor safety hazards where likely result would be cuts, bruises, etc.
• Job frequently requires walking, standing, stooping/kneeling/crouching/crawling, sitting, reaching, talking, hearing, and handling objects with hands.
• Job occasionally requires light lifting of up to 25 pounds.
• Vision requirements: Ability to see information in print and/or electronically.
Instructions for Applying:
Please attach your Resume and cover letter to the Application.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.
What do I do if I need an accommodation?
In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.
If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.
