Job Description:

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Please submit a resume and cover letter along with either a portfolio or writing samples.

Position Summary:

The digital marketing and community manager has an integral role as part of the marketing team-serving as the digital voice and amplifier of the stories and impact of innovation and entrepreneurship happening at the Ion, the heart of Houston's innovation corridor in midtown.

You will shape the growth and strength of our online presence, engaging with prospective startups, investors, corporations, partners, and the community. As a digital community builder, you will envision and implement a cohesive social media strategy that turns followers into active members of our ecosystem as they attend events, participate in programming, and become tenants, partners, or sponsors.

The digital marketing and community manager will work with our data analyst to turn our robust email database into a segmented and activated network for driving prospective startups, investors, partners, and supporters into our programs. This includes developing and implementing an email marketing strategy that maximizes the activation of our stakeholders.

Events are a critical first step in engaging our community, and the digital marketing and community manager plays a key role in making sure these events are well-attended. This includes creating content, managing and updating our websites, SEO, updating our online events calendar, and maximizing the effectiveness of our social media.

Through your work, you'll create an active digital ambassador network, working with our ecosystem to leverage our joint networks to tell the story of Houston and Rice innovation.

In early 2024, Rice University further leaned into efforts at the Ion, bringing the Ion under the responsibility of Rice's Office of Innovation and engaging the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship to lead Ion programming. The Rice Alliance is Rice University's nationally recognized initiative, which has over two decades of experience in executing flagship programming and developing a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem. The digital marketing and community manager serves as an integral part of the marketing team tasked with developing a cohesive brand strategy for the Ion and Rice Alliance brands. This role will be responsible for managing all digital assets for these organizations.

Ideal Candidate Statement:

The ideal candidate will be an energetic individual with the ability to connect with a wide range of constituents from students to corporate leaders. They should have a passion for Houston and an interest in innovation and entrepreneurship. They will have an entrepreneurial spirit that allows for innovative and creative thinking to bring projects to completion. The digital marketing and community manager gets excited about creating streamlined processes and is comfortable in a changing environment. The ideal candidate will blend strategic thinking with attention to detail and a get-it-done mentality. They should be comfortable with turning big-picture thinking into actionable steps and then managing the day-to-day content editing and creation across multiple channels. This is a perfect role for someone who loves the challenge of balancing both and believes no task is too small for their expertise.

Workplace Requirements - This is an in-person/on-campus position that does offer a flexible work schedule (at hiring, a minimum of 4 days in the office per week) . Occasional nights and weekends are required to support event and networking activities.

Minimum Requirements

• 
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  
  • In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis may be substituted.
  
  
• 3 years of professional work experience

Skills

• Knowledge of the web, technology, social platforms, current and future trends
• Excellent writing and analytical skills
• Demonstrated problem solver
• Ability to leverage current and future trends to produce measurable results that aid in the success of the organization
• Ability to work independently to meet expected deadlines and schedules
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Knowledge of different social publishing platforms (Sprout Social preferred)
• Experience with Content Management Systems (WordPress and Drupal preferred, but not required)
• Experience with email marketing systems (ex: Hubspot, Mailchimp)
• Understanding of website metrics and best practices

Preferences:

• Experience managing multiple different social media brand accounts at one time, with the ability to communicate to a specific brand tone
• Process-oriented
• Event marketing experience
• Entrepreneurship, startup or technology marketing experience
• Understanding of project management systems (ex: ClickUp, Teamwork, etc.)
• Basic photography skills
• Experience with search engine optimization, lead generation, and email marketing
• Experience with both organic and paid social content

Essential Functions:

• Manages the development and implementation of the digital communication and community strategy for the Ion and Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship brand
• Manages the writing, design and coordination of the production of digital communication and marketing materials
• Oversees digital community-building through social media channels, email marketing and the web
• In partnership with the marketing director and graphic designer, manages development and implementation of digital community strategy Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship and the Ion; including how to engage the community and fundamentally impact the relationship between the organization and the entrepreneurship community
• Participates in university-wide and community-wide initiatives and cross-functional teams to establish the organization as a strategic partner and thought leader
• Responsible for ownership and management of digital channels and / or the website
• Ensure brand consistency and integrity across all digital channels and assets, including messaging, imagery, and tone of voice.
• Implements a cohesive editorial strategy and voice
• Partners with internal stakeholders such as program teams, service teams, IT, campus partners to achieve program goals and to ensure coordination
• Manages constituent complaints and reputational issues and other high priorities on digital channels
• Manages the execution of robust email marketing campaigns; including segmentation, automation and other email best practices that deliver conversions
• Execution of digital platforms to support event attendance and execution, including adding events to public calendar
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Additional Functions

• Assists with stakeholder registration during large-scale events
• Represents the organizations in community events; attends entrepreneurship events to gather content
• Ensures all website content is up-to-date

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits-overview

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity at all levels. It considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.

About Us

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Rice University is ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

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