Digital Communications Specialist

• Full-time, exempt
• Position reports to: Digital Media Manager
• Work hours for this position are generally Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm
• Day, evening and weekend work, including project work

PURPOSE

The Digital Communications Specialist is an integral part of the IRI communications team, primarily supporting IRI’s digital media intelligence products through research, media monitoring, social listening, and analytics. The Digital Communications Specialist is responsible for following trending topics, issues, hashtags, and accounts, and compiling insightful client reports with analysis of the conversation.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Use digital media monitoring tools. (e.g., Sprout Social, Brandwatch, Sprinklr) to track conversations
• Perform manual research across traditional and digital platforms
• Craft search queries with knowledge of Boolean search logic
• Compile insightful client reports on a daily, weekly, and quarterly basis
• Synthesize large volumes of mentions and discussion threads into easily understood key themes and synopses
• Report on basic KPIs (impressions, sentiment, engagements, etc.), why they matter and how to influence them
• Provide recommendations for appropriate responses to online conversation in support of overall communications strategy
• Work with simple data (PPT/Excel)
• Produce clear, written materials such as research reports, fact sheets, and memos that are accurate and without errors
• Commitment to detail and client ready work product
• Present materials to internal team and clients
• Track digital trends for knowledge sharing and education

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s Degree is required
• 2-4 years’ work experience, ideally at a public relations agency or consulting firm or as part of an in-house communications team
• Experience using digital media monitoring tools to track specific conversations (e.g. Sprout Social, Brandwatch, Sprinklr), in addition to manual searches
• Understanding of crafting search queries and using Boolean search logic
• Ability to synthesize large volumes of mentions and discussion threads into easily understood key themes and synopses
• Knowledge of basic KPIs (impressions, sentiment, engagements, etc.),why they matter and how to influence them
• Ability to monitor social media using a detective’s approach and identify connections between platforms and conversations
• Ability to provide recommendations for appropriate responses to online conversations in support of overall communications strategy
• Experience producing clear, written materials such as research reports, fact sheets and memos
• Ability to perform research across traditional and digital platforms
• Curiosity and creative problem-solving appreciated
• Familiarity with employee-facing, internal communications a plus
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to adapt to change and meet deadlines
• Effective project management skills and the ability to juggle shifting priorities and deadlines between clients and internal teams.
• We are a virtual company – the ability to work remotely and independently a must

SOFTWARE & TECHNICAL PROFICIENCY

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, Excel) and other standard computer programs.
• Fluency in social media platform usage, especially Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok and Reddit, with an interest in emerging platforms
• Ability to work with simple data (PPT/Excel)

Note: The ability to quickly learn and adopt new software and programs is required. Over time, the products listed above may be replaced or supplemented with other products.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, and hear and participate in frequent phone calls. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; balance; and stoop, kneel, or crouch. Specific vision abilities required by this job include the ability to perform extensive computer work and to read written and printed materials.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The position works virtually, from home, and must maintain a work environment that is free from any distractions, such as childcare responsibilities or other personal responsibilities which could inhibit the person's ability to be fully focused and work full-time during scheduled work hours. Must be able to work independently while always being part of a virtual team.