Paid Social Strategist

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Paid Social Media Strategist

🔹 Company: Hearst Newspapers

🔹 Location: Norwalk, CT (with remote options for other major markets)

🔹 Job Type: Full time

🔹 Category: Marketing

🔹 Date Posted: June 24, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site (with remote options for Norwalk, CT, Houston, San Antonio, or Austin)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Executing ad campaigns across Facebook and other social media platforms
• Optimizing campaigns through A/B testing and data-driven strategies
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to improve user acquisition and retention
• Providing thought leadership and identifying new advertising opportunities

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of paid social media advertising, with a focus on Facebook and Instagram. Candidates should be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and have experience with ad copywriting and A/B testing.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Plan, build, and execute direct response and brand ad buys across social platforms with a primary focus on Facebook and Instagram

✅ Understand key tracking components and set up for attribution on campaigns

✅ Determine areas of opportunity and execute tests and campaigns designed to drive customer acquisition, engagement, and retention

✅ Develop and execute A/B testing programs to improve campaign performance

✅ Develop paid acquisition plans and provide regular reporting on progress towards key milestones and risks

✅ Work cross-functionally with product, UX, and the rest of the marketing organization

✅ Use measurement, tracking, and management platforms to produce analytical insights and manage day-to-day Paid Social operations

✅ Provide thought leadership to help identify new opportunities and other emerging advertising platforms

✅ Work with Business Intelligence/Analytics teams on Paid Social dashboard development and KPIs monitoring

✅ Provide support for additional marketing channels as needed for promotional and seasonal campaigns

✅ Strategize with sales teams for effective launches to customer campaigns

✅ Work directly with clients on reporting, troubleshooting, and optimizing campaigns across multiple networks

✅ Presenting to stakeholders around new innovations and campaign statuses

ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong analytical skills and the ability to work effectively with various teams and clients. Candidates should be comfortable presenting to stakeholders and providing data-driven insights to optimize campaigns.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in Marketing or Communications

Experience: 2-3 years in social media marketing with a focus on paid social campaigns

Required Skills:

• Proficient in Facebook ad manager and Instagram ads
• Experience with A/B testing and Google Docs
• Strong analytical skills and ability to speak to metrics across multiple reporting systems
• Creativity and willingness to think outside the box
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work across multiple teams and clients with ease

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working in a fast-paced agency setting
• Familiarity with 3rd party management solutions

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in Facebook advertising and A/B testing are strongly encouraged to apply. Familiarity with other paid social platforms such as Twitter, Pinterest, Reddit, and YouTube is a plus.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $60,000 - $80,000 per year (based on experience and location)

Benefits:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Paid time off and holidays
• Employee discounts on Hearst products and services

Working Hours: Full-time, Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (with flexibility for remote workers)

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a Paid Social Media Strategist role. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's experience and the specific location.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Newspaper Publishing

Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees

Founded: 1887

Company Description:

• Hearst Newspapers is the operating group responsible for Hearst’s newspapers, local digital marketing services businesses, and directories
• With more than 3,000 employees across the nation, Hearst Newspapers publishes 24 dailies and 52 weeklies
• Hearst Newspapers is committed to being the most trusted, most respected, and most accurate source of news and information in the communities it serves

Company Specialties:

• Digital
• Media
• News
• Marketing
• Publishing
• Commerce
• Advertising
• Journalism
• Content Marketing
• Entertainment
• Comics
• Photography
• Product Design
• Social Media
• Branding
• Analytics
• SEO
• Company Culture
• Web Development
• Consumer Marketing
• and Audience

Company Website: https://www.JoinHNP.com

ASSUMPTION: Hearst Newspapers is a well-established company with a strong focus on journalism and community engagement. Candidates should be comfortable working in a large organization with a rich history in the publishing industry.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Marketing Manager

Work Arrangement: On-site (with remote options for Norwalk, CT, Houston, San Antonio, or Austin)

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential career progression into a Senior Paid Social Media Strategist or Paid Social Media Manager role
• Opportunities to work on various campaigns and collaborate with different teams
• Chance to gain experience in a large, established media company

ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within the company. Candidates should be eager to take on new challenges and expand their skillset.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: On-site (with remote options for Norwalk, CT, Houston, San Antonio, or Austin)

Office Location(s): 301 Merritt 7, Norwalk, Connecticut 06851, US (with remote options for other major markets)

Geographic Context:

• Norwalk, CT: A suburban city located in Fairfield County, with a population of approximately 88,000
• Houston, TX: The fourth most populous city in the United States, with a diverse economy and a strong job market
• San Antonio, TX: The second most populous city in Texas, known for its rich history and cultural attractions
• Austin, TX: The capital of Texas, known for its vibrant music and arts scene, and a strong job market in technology and healthcare

Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (with flexibility for remote workers)

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be comfortable working in an on-site environment, with the option to work remotely for certain locations. The work schedule is typical for a full-time role in the marketing industry.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screen with the Hiring Manager
• In-person or virtual interview with the Marketing Manager and other team members
• Final interview with the Director of Marketing

Key Assessment Areas:

• Understanding of paid social media advertising and campaign optimization
• Analytical skills and data-driven decision-making
• Communication and presentation skills
• Cultural fit and alignment with company values

Application Tips:

• Highlight relevant experience with paid social media advertising and A/B testing
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize skills and experiences mentioned in the job description
• Prepare examples of successful paid social media campaigns you've worked on
• Research Hearst Newspapers and be prepared to discuss how your skills and experiences align with the company's mission and values

ATS Keywords: Paid Social, Facebook Advertising, Instagram Ads, A/B Testing, Ad Copywriting, Analytics, Communication, Creativity, Collaboration, User Acquisition, Retention, Campaign Optimization, Reporting, Troubleshooting, Digital Marketing, Measurement

ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is typical for a mid-sized company in the marketing industry. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their understanding of paid social media advertising and their ability to work effectively with various teams and clients.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Facebook Ad Manager
• Instagram Ads
• Google Docs
• Measurement, tracking, and management platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel)
• Business Intelligence/Analytics tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be comfortable using Facebook Ad Manager, Instagram Ads, and Google Docs. Familiarity with other measurement, tracking, and management platforms is a plus.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Integrity
• Quality
• Independence
• Innovation
• Community

Work Style:

• Collaborative
• Data-driven
• Creative
• Adaptable
• Results-oriented

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you have experience working in a fast-paced environment and collaborating with various teams?
• Are you comfortable presenting data-driven insights to stakeholders and optimizing campaigns based on performance metrics?
• Do you align with Hearst Newspapers' values and work style?

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be comfortable working in a collaborative, data-driven environment and align with Hearst Newspapers' values and work style.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple campaigns and deadlines simultaneously
• Working with various teams and clients, each with their own priorities and expectations
• Keeping up with the latest trends and best practices in paid social media advertising
• Adapting to changes in the marketing landscape and adjusting strategies accordingly

ASSUMPTION: This role may present challenges in managing multiple priorities and staying up-to-date with industry trends. Candidates should be comfortable working in a dynamic environment and adapting to changes.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is similar to a Paid Social Media Manager or Paid Social Media Specialist role, but with a greater emphasis on campaign optimization and thought leadership
• In the newspaper publishing industry, this role is unique in its focus on paid social media advertising and its integration with various teams and clients
• Career progression from this role may include advancing to a Senior Paid Social Media Strategist or Paid Social Media Manager role, or transitioning into a related marketing or advertising role

ASSUMPTION: This role is unique in its focus on paid social media advertising and its integration with various teams and clients. Candidates should be comfortable working in a specialized role within the marketing industry.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a paid social media campaign to drive user acquisition and retention for a new product launch
• Optimizing an existing paid social media campaign to improve performance and reduce costs
• Collaborating with the UX team to create and test ad creatives that resonate with target audiences

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are designed to give candidates an idea of the types of tasks and responsibilities they may encounter in this role. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with similar projects and how they approached them.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the team structure and how this role fits into the broader marketing organization?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
• How does Hearst Newspapers support the professional development and growth of its employees?
• What are the biggest challenges facing the paid social media advertising team, and how can this role help address them?
• How does Hearst Newspapers measure the success of its paid social media advertising campaigns, and what are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this role?

ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are designed to help candidates better understand the role, the team, and the company. Candidates should be prepared to ask thoughtful questions that demonstrate their interest in the position and the organization.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through the online application portal
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience with paid social media advertising and A/B testing
• Prepare examples of successful paid social media campaigns you've worked on
• Research Hearst Newspapers and be prepared to discuss how your skills and experiences align with the company's mission and values
• Follow up with the Hiring Manager one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.