📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Director, Social Media
🔹 Company: Kaplan
🔹 Location: Remote/Nationwide, USA
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: July 18, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: Remote OK
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading and managing a team of social media professionals
- Developing and executing strategic social media initiatives to build Kaplan's brand awareness
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to support product marketing campaigns
- Analyzing performance data and reporting on key social media metrics
- Fostering a creative and innovative work environment
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of strategic thinking, data analysis, and creative problem-solving. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of social media trends and a proven track record of driving brand awareness through organic social media efforts.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead and manage a team of social media managers, specialists, and creators to align with KPIs and drive brand awareness, product marketing support, and audience growth
✅ Act as an educator and social media expert, translating performance data and updating leadership on industry trends and direction
✅ Drive thoughtful and data-backed strategies across all social channels, providing guidance on product and channel priorities with student and educator needs in mind
✅ Understand audiences across multiple communities, create a content strategy that provides value, encourages customer engagement, and increases user-generated content
✅ Build and maintain social media communities, humanize the Kaplan brand in social media spaces, and engage in dialogues, provide resources, and answer questions
✅ Create weekly, monthly, and quarterly reporting to share key social media metrics and insights with various stakeholders
✅ Work closely with the product marketing team to gather inputs and involve social media in campaign planning and execution
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of organization, multitasking, and attention to detail. The ideal candidate will be able to manage multiple projects simultaneously and thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Business
Experience: 7+ years of experience promoting and driving brand awareness around a legacy brand and fostering a multi-channel strategy
Required Skills:
- Social landscape and marketing analytical skills, able to interpret multiple data sets to identify trends
- Strong proficiency with social media platforms, social media management platforms (Sprout Social, Hootsuite, etc.), influencer platforms (Minisocial, Tagger, etc.), Google Suite, MS Word, Excel, PP, Canva
- Creative and innovative thinker with a growth mindset
- Intermediate skills in Photoshop or a design platform
- Excellent people and management skills to interact with staff, colleagues, and cross-functional teams, and third parties
Preferred Skills:
- 5+ years in Social Media Management
- At least 3 years in People Management
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a strong background in social media management, with a proven track record of driving brand awareness and engagement. Experience in people management is a plus but not required.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $64,000 - $202,600 per year. Actual compensation for this role is determined by several factors, including job level, candidate's skills, experience, and education, among other factors determined by the business.
Benefits:
- Remote work providing flexible work/life balance
- Comprehensive Retirement Package
- Our Gift of Knowledge Program provides tuition assistance and substantial discounts for employees and close family members
- Competitive health benefits and new hire eligibility starts day-1 of employment
- Generous Paid Time Off includes paid holidays, vacation, personal, sick paid time-off, plus one (1) volunteer day and one (1) diversity and inclusion day to participate and give back to local communities
- And so much more!
Working Hours: Full-time position with standard business hours, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with flexibility for remote work
ASSUMPTION: Kaplan offers a competitive benefits package, including remote work options, comprehensive retirement plans, and generous paid time off. The salary range is indicative of the company's commitment to fair compensation based on the role's requirements and the candidate's qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Kaplan is a global educational services company that provides individuals, universities, and businesses with a diverse array of services, including higher and professional education, test preparation, language training, corporate and leadership training, and student recruitment, online enablement, and other university support services.
Company Size: Kaplan is a large organization with over 10,000 employees worldwide. This size allows for ample opportunities for growth and collaboration across various departments and locations.
Founded: Kaplan was founded in 1938 in Stanley Kaplan’s Brooklyn, NY home with a mission to help children of immigrants advance their dream of going to college. From those humble beginnings, Kaplan has grown into an enterprise operating in 28 countries and serving nearly a million students and thousands of corporate and university clients.
Company Description:
- Kaplan is committed to expanding educational access and transforming learning through new technologies
- The company offers a wide range of educational services, catering to individuals, universities, and businesses
- Kaplan is dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace that values diversity, promotes equity, and integrates inclusivity into all aspects of its operations
Company Specialties:
- Education
- Training
- Learning
- and Ed Tech
Company Website: http://www.kaplan.com
ASSUMPTION: Kaplan's extensive experience and global presence make it an attractive employer for those seeking to make a positive impact in the education sector. The company's commitment to innovation and technology-driven learning provides ample opportunities for growth and professional development.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is a senior-level position, requiring a high level of expertise and experience in social media management and brand awareness strategies.
Reporting Structure: The Director, Social Media will report directly to the Vice President of Marketing and will oversee a team of social media managers, specialists, and creators.
Work Arrangement: This role is remote-friendly, offering flexible work/life balance and the opportunity to work from home or a co-working space.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to advance to a vice president or executive-level role within the marketing department
- Opportunities to lead cross-functional projects and collaborate with various departments
- Chance to develop and mentor team members, fostering a culture of growth and learning
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant opportunities for career growth and development within Kaplan's marketing department and the broader organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Remote-friendly, with the option to work from home or a co-working space
Office Location(s): Remote/Nationwide, USA
Geographic Context:
- Kaplan's remote-friendly work environment allows for flexibility and the ability to work from anywhere in the United States
- The company's global presence provides opportunities to collaborate with team members and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds and locations
- Kaplan's commitment to work-life balance and flexible scheduling fosters a positive and inclusive work environment
Work Schedule: Full-time position with standard business hours, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with flexibility for remote work
ASSUMPTION: Kaplan's remote-friendly work environment and commitment to work-life balance make it an attractive employer for those seeking flexibility and a positive work-life balance.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission through the Kaplan careers website
- Phone or video screening with the HR department
- In-depth phone or video interview with the hiring manager
- Final in-person or video interview with the Vice President of Marketing and other key stakeholders
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Data analysis and interpretation abilities
- Creativity and innovation in social media content and campaigns
- Leadership and management skills, including team-building and mentoring
- Alignment with Kaplan's mission, values, and company culture
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Include specific examples of your social media management experience and achievements
- Demonstrate your understanding of Kaplan's mission and values in your application materials
- Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer about the role, team, and company
ATS Keywords: Social Media Management, Brand Awareness, Strategic Planning, Team Leadership, Data Analysis, Marketing Strategy, Content Creation, Influencer Marketing, User-Generated Content
ASSUMPTION: Kaplan's hiring process is designed to assess the candidate's strategic thinking, data analysis, and leadership skills, as well as their alignment with the company's mission and values.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, etc.)
- Social media management platforms (Sprout Social, Hootsuite, etc.)
- Influencer platforms (Minisocial, Tagger, etc.)
- Google Suite (Google Analytics, Google Trends, etc.)
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
- Design platforms (Canva, Photoshop, etc.)
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have proficiency in a variety of social media management tools and platforms, as well as strong data analysis and reporting skills.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Innovation: Kaplan is committed to expanding educational access and transforming learning through new technologies
- Inclusivity: Kaplan fosters an inclusive workplace that values diversity, promotes equity, and integrates inclusivity into all aspects of its operations
- Collaboration: Kaplan encourages cross-functional collaboration and teamwork to drive success
Work Style:
- Remote-friendly and flexible work arrangements
- Data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement
- Creative and innovative problem-solving
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have a proven track record of driving brand awareness through organic social media efforts?
- Are you comfortable working remotely and managing a team in a virtual environment?
- Do you thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment and enjoy managing multiple projects simultaneously?
ASSUMPTION: Kaplan values candidates who align with their mission, values, and company culture, as well as those who demonstrate strong leadership, management, and strategic thinking skills.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a remote team and fostering a collaborative work environment
- Balancing strategic thinking and data analysis with day-to-day content creation and community management
- Keeping up with the fast-paced and ever-changing social media landscape
- Meeting the expectations of various stakeholders, including Kaplan's leadership, marketing department, and other internal teams
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be able to navigate these challenges effectively and thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced work environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other social media management roles, this position requires a higher level of strategic thinking and leadership
- Unlike other roles, this position focuses on organic social media efforts and does not involve paid advertising or media buying
- Career path comparison: This role offers opportunities for growth and advancement within Kaplan's marketing department and the broader organization
ASSUMPTION: This role is unique in its focus on organic social media management and strategic planning, making it an attractive opportunity for experienced social media professionals seeking to advance their careers.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a comprehensive social media strategy to drive brand awareness and engagement for Kaplan's higher education programs
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to create and implement social media campaigns that support product launches and marketing initiatives
- Analyzing performance data and reporting on key social media metrics to inform strategic decision-making and optimize content and engagement strategies
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the strategic, collaborative, and data-driven nature of the Director, Social Media role at Kaplan.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics of the social media department?
- How does the social media department collaborate with other marketing teams and internal stakeholders?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the social media department, and how can this role help address them?
- How does Kaplan support the professional development and growth of its social media team members?
- What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this role, and how will success be measured?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful and insightful questions during the interview process demonstrates your interest in the role and commitment to understanding Kaplan's unique work environment and culture.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare for the interview by researching Kaplan's mission, values, and company culture, as well as the specific requirements and responsibilities of the Director, Social Media position
- Practice common interview questions and develop thoughtful responses that demonstrate your qualifications and fit for the role
- Follow up with the hiring manager or HR department after the interview to express your appreciation for the opportunity and reiterate your interest in the position
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
