Manager, WDET Digital Content and Strategy

Job Description

Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Manager, WDET Digital Content and Strategy (N94193) at its Detroit campus location.

Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.

Essential functions (job duties):

Job Purpose
Sets direction and develops, coordinates and oversees content for the WDET website, social media and digital channels. Grows WDET’s online communities and increases engagement to foster audience growth for news, music and conversation programming as well as supporting fundraising and promotional campaigns. Reports to Senior Director.

Essential Functions
Develops the strategy and implementation plan for all WDET digital properties including website, mobile application, social media, and email communications. Oversees creation and incorporation of daily content into WDET’s website, mobile app, and social media platforms. Leads and develops a team of professionals to collaborate with staff journalists; cultivates relationships with a network of diverse contributors and source out of house material for incorporation into daily content streams.

Collaborates cross‐functionally with News, Programming, Operations, Membership, and Business Development teams to plan, develop, and create WDET data‐driven digital communication that drives audience and member growth and engagement across WDET's platforms, including website, social media and newsletters. Invites communities to contribute and respond to, or engage and interact with, WDET programming content. Works closely with the Digital Editor and News Team to identify new content strategy opportunities and advises on day‐to‐day optimizations such as headlines for search and social media. Must be sensitive to the importance of news and be able to move quickly to turn insights from traffic patterns into tactics to reach audiences. They will need to be able to evaluate long‐term strategies on Search Engine Optimization, recirculation and user experience and make recommendations to meet goals.

Manages digital and broadcast fundraising opportunities that deepen the audience’s experience and attract support from new and current donors through email, website, social ads, display ads, streaming platform ads, and broadcast radio.

Guides Digital Producer(s) to develop social media strategy and content calendar, creating best practices that grow and optimize social media footprint and engagement across channels. Oversees creation and maintenance of both editorial and non‐editorial content on wdet.org, including event pages, staff pages, job page, etc. Oversees quality and accuracy of all digital content. Proofreads, edits copy and checks facts for a variety of informational and promotional materials, as needed. Maintains and develops brand guidelines. Ensures that these guidelines are followed for brand consistency. Manages the production of WDET digital assets. Maintains and catalogs assets, including photography, video, and past promotional materials.
 
Using Google Analytics, evaluates effectiveness of WDET’s digital platforms in engaging and growing audience and generating revenue for station. Reports metrics and insights from analytics. Collects feedback from program teams and makes recommendations to improve the reach and engagement of digital products.
 
Applies strategy, best‐practice research and creativity to increase engagement in all digital platforms. Techniques may include online events, contests, drawings and other interactions with our content. Develops and oversees processes and protocols for updating and augmenting website copy. Serves in a liaison and resource capacity within the University community and external partners and remains current with industry developments and trends.
 
Performs other related duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Digital Marketing, Communications or a related field from an accredited college or university. Candidates with an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Experience
Minimum of 5‐7 years of experience in a digital/multimedia content arena with broad responsibility.  Requires Leadership ability and experience building a team, organizing work and workflow and developing staff.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Superior verbal and written communication skills and attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and problem‐solving skills, including high level understanding of digital metrics.
• Ability to create promotions that drive new audience/customers across platforms.
• Ability to develop engaging multimedia content especially effective communications for radio and web, announcements, and printed materials or advertisements.
• Ability to build and engage in communities through social media.
• Demonstrated strength in cross departmental collaboration and execution.
• Ability to build, activate and leverage networks and engage communities through social media.
• Experience developing digital/multimedia content using CMS and in depth understanding of WordPress CMS software.
• Demonstrated ability to write clearly, informatively and persuasively. Possess a versatile writing style with ability to shift communication to meet audience needs.
• Ability to prioritize and plan work activities; adapts to changing conditions. Demonstrated ability to complete tasks and manage projects correctly, on time and within budget.
• Can apply effective interpersonal skills to provide information, can listen and get relevant clarification; can respond well to questions; can speak clearly in positive or negative situations.
• Must be committed to diversity equity and inclusion in words and deeds and act as an advocate for WDET’s content and staff to represent the diversity of our community, with a focus on audience, staff/culture, and content.
• Understands objectives and mission of department and work unit. Monitors own work to ensure quality. Can work effectively to meet deadlines and complete work in a timely manner. Strong project management skills.
• Competency with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Analytics and Adwords, Basecamp or other project management software, (WordPress) and e‐mail communication software (MailChimp). Basic to intermediate understanding of HTML and CSS. Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite and Final Cut Pro preferred.
• Able to build strong and healthy relationships as an accessible person who builds trust and cultivates positive relationships with staff and collaborates well.
• Must have an optimistic outlook and a positive attitude when striving to overcome obstacles and achieve goals.
• A person that is action‐oriented, entrepreneurial and adaptable, with innovative approaches to programming.
• Knowledge of radio and public media is an added bonus. Knowledge of news, music and public affairs programming and how to effectively present it to an audience across multiple devices and platforms.
• Understands the evolving media landscape, including research on listening habits and smart devices and willing to investigate what they do not know.
• Must have a sense of humor and is interested in the world.

Preferred qualifications:

• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite and Final Cut Pro

University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required.

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Wayne State University provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. The university encourages applications from women, people of color and other underrepresented people. Wayne State is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.

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