The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

The role of Social Media Executive requires an outward-facing, trend-aware expert in channel management, community building, and data-driven reporting.

The role is part of the Social Media Team which enhances the University’s reputation by leading the strategic management, optimisation, and growth of our social media channels. The team engage diverse global audiences - including current and prospective students, staff, academics, funders, and policymakers - by ensuring our digital communities are vibrant, inclusive and engaging.

Working alongside a dedicated in-house creative team that delivers high-quality assets, the role will focus on distributing this content, fostering active digital communities, and analysing performance to maximise reach and engagement. You’ll work with colleagues to plan activity that is timely, innovative and relevant for our audiences, channels and objectives. You will also serve as a champion for best practices, aligning social media activity across the wider university community.

In return, you’ll work collaboratively with some of the most inspiring students and academics to enhance the University’s global reputation.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Publish engaging high quality content for the University’s social media channels - primarily Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok - in collaboration with creative content teams and other stakeholders.
• Coordinate day-to-day posting schedules ensuring timely and relevant updates that reflect key university news, campaigns and announcements.
• Write compelling, accessible and inclusive copy tailored to different audiences (students, staff, alumni, prospective students, industry partners)
• Support the implementation of the university’s social media strategy in line with institutional goals.
• Coordinate and evaluate social media campaigns for student recruitment, reputation and events.
• Support community management to ensure timely responses to content including comments and mentions, fostering positive engagement with the University’s key audiences.
• Identify and escalate reputational risks, sensitive issues or crises to senior colleagues.
• Track, analyse and report on social media performance using analytics tools, providing insight and recommendations to improve engagement and reach.
• Keep up to date with trends and platform developments.
• Coordinate key initiatives such as the student photographers.
• Act as a brand guardian, driving appropriate usage and messaging by ensuring accurate and consistent representation within the brand and reputation guidelines, to create a clear, confident, consistent voice with correct use of visual ID.
• Any other duties as required including attendance at events and other critical business activity throughout the year including evenings and weekends.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Further Information

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on the week commencing 17 August 2026. This will consist of an interview and related task. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 10 August 2026. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Kath Dawson on k.s.dawson@sheffield.ac.uk

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Professional Services Shared Skills Framework.
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • access to menopause support in the workplace
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Leader (opens in a new window). If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.