AWN Career Connections

Due to Bridgepoint Education’s success with its leading-edge educational format, the position of New Media Specialist has been newly created.  This position will be a key member of the Corporate Communications Department, working on behalf of Bridgepoint Education and its two academic institutions – Ashford University and University of the Rockies.

Located in San Diego, CA and reporting to the Director of Public Relations, the New Media Specialist (NMS) will identify, develop, and maintain meaningful relationships between Bridgepoint Education and its various online communities, including social media sites, blogs, and online reporters and producers.  The NMS will use his/her core knowledge of online social networks to determine how new/social media can be strategically applied to support both communications efforts and the bottom line.  In an effort to fulfill the company’s mission and goals, the NMS will execute a new media strategy to analyze and make informed recommendations to senior management regarding the company’s involvement in online communities and media sites.  The NMS will also be directly involved with the development and management of our Online Media Rooms.

This is a newly created position that will place a heavy emphasis on the development of social media relationships and the ability to nurture those relationships through online communications.  The NMS will use new media to tell the Bridgepoint/Ashford/Rockies story, utilizing blogs and podcasts to demonstrate the expertise of our management team and faculty members in order to attract media attention.  He/she will be responsible for all new media outreach, will provide support for monitoring investor sites and financial communications sites, and will serve in a support role for traditional media relations and other external and internal communications functions to serve the company’s strategic goals.  The NMS will also coordinate the authorized participation of employees, students, and other stakeholders on social media sites and will monitor what’s being said about Bridgepoint/Ashford/Rockies, providing valuable feedback to management.

Duties and responsibilities include researching and gathering feedback from various audiences; planning and executing communications processes that support key business goals and ensure message consistency throughout the organization; and meeting with management to identify and recommend goals and opportunities.  The NMS will consistently monitor all social media outlets, measuring the results to verify that efforts have produced intended outcomes.  The NMS will work with core groups within the organization – including the IT and Marketing departments – to help shape, direct and manage the nature of all information delivered to our online communities in a timely, accurate, compelling and engaging manner. 

Responsibilities

• Assist the Director of Public Relations in the development and implementation of new media relations initiatives
• Create online community guidelines and methods, as well as strategies to enforce them
• Create a voice for using the appropriate new media tactics, working to ensure proper representation, brand positioning, content strategy and messaging, and achieve internal consensus on the plan
• Know which new media tools to apply under which circumstances – determine what content to feature on blogs, discussion forums and other social media sites
• Build Online Media Rooms that will deliver our message, attract journalists, and serve as trusted sites for industry news
• Ensure that new and approved content is constantly being added to our sites
• Monitor and assess the social media conversations taking place about our organization and make recommendations on how to respond to the commentary
• Manage all new media channels of communication – Blogs, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, MySpace
• Use blogging and other forms of online communication, as well as creative thinking, as a way to connect with new constituents
• Foster communication between members of our communities
• Supervise internal and external social media communities to increase corporate, campus, and employee involvement in our Bridgepoint/Ashford/Rockies communities
• Develop and execute a strategy on how to put out fires before they ever start
• Gain the trust and ear of our social communities
• Engage with our communities by posting messages, responding to questions, and moderating discussions
• Develop interactive programs such as contests for members of our social media communities
• Report progress, problems, and recommendations to management
• Manage analytics reports and membership data
• Serve in a support role to produce content for the Corporate Communications Department
• Assist with all corporate communications activities, as directed

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 5-7 years of experience with demonstrated success in New/Social Media Communications – community building and maintenance, social media strategies and outreach
• Experience in Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, or a related field a plus
• Successful experience building, launching, and managing online communities
• Experience in Higher Education a plus
• Extreme proficiency with all social media tools – the Internet, blogs, podcasts, webcasts, wikis
• Keen knowledge of the role social media can play in an organization’s communications strategy – both the risks and the rewards
• Ability to develop new media focus, set strategy and tactical execution plans; analyze and report findings to management and make recommendations
• Active on social media platforms and proficient in establishing and tracking social media metrics
• Proven deep understanding and thought leadership in the areas of user psychology, new media, and social networking
• Ability to counsel internal constituents on social media opportunities and best practices
• Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail and thorough follow-through
• Strong personal initiative, quick-learner, self-starter, mature, personable, ability to socialize in new situations and project a professional demeanor at all times
• Demonstrate excellent overall communication skills and have a creative, innovative, and “ahead-of-the-curve” approach and mindset, all while demonstrating good judgment
• Ability to see the “big picture,” be a team player, and work independently
• Must be flexible with the ability to multi-task and adjust to frequently changing priorities in a fast-paced working environment
• Experience writing news releases, making presentations, and working with the media a plus
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal skills
• Design and Photoshop experience a plus

COMPANY INFORMATION

Bridgepoint Education offers innovative approaches to the challenges faced in higher education. Bridgepoint subsidiaries tackle issues such as affordability, transferability of credits and online convenience, without sacrificing overall academic quality. By providing both online and campus-based programs at Ashford University and University of the Rockies, Bridgepoint offers access to both traditional and adult learners seeking high quality, convenient higher education degree programs.

Bridgepoint Education’s vision is to provide high-quality, accessible and affordable degree programs that meet the diverse educational needs of individuals pursuing informed personal goals and success in their professions and communities.

Bridgepoint Education offers a competitive salary with ten (10) paid holidays, M/V/D benefits (including a 401k program and ESPP), along with a fun and positive work environment.  We also have an on-site gym, full service cafeteria, Employee Appreciation Events, Corporate Discounts and tuition remission plans.

To be considered an applicant, all interested and qualified parties MUST apply through the Bridgepoint Education online employment application system. Qualified candidates should submit a resume with salary history. 

IN ADDITION TO YOUR RESUME AND ONLINE APPLICATION:

Accompanying your resume and application please submit the names and contact information of three (3) professional references, as well as three (3) writing samples of varying types to employment@bridgepointeducation.com Applications and resumes sent to this email address will not be considered. 

For additional information about our organization, please visit www.bridgepointeducation.com. 

Bridgepoint Education is an Affirmative Action employer that provides Equal Employment Opportunity to all employees and applicants, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, sexual orientation, handicap or disability, or Vietnam-era or special veteran status. This policy is established and administered in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.