📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Social Media Associate (Remote)
🔹 Company: The Athletic Media Company
🔹 Location: United States (Remote)
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Online Media
🔹 Date Posted: June 3, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years
🔹 Remote Status: Fully Remote (US & Canada)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Executing social media strategy and curating content for various platforms
- Developing reactive social media strategies based on breaking news and live events
- Collaborating cross-functionally with editorial, programming, design, audio, video, and marketing teams
- Driving audience growth and engagement through creative content and strategic planning
- Working in a fast-paced news environment and processing relevant information from multiple departments
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of adaptability, strong communication skills, and the ability to work effectively in a remote environment.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Execute basic functions of social strategy, including curation of social content, distribution of articles, podcasts, live blogs, and video to relevant platforms on an ongoing basis
✅ Assist in developing and implementing reactive social strategy based on breaking news, major moments, and live games
✅ Develop copy and visual assets to amplify top content from our newsroom onto our social channels
✅ Assist in driving audience growth and engagement
✅ Develop deep working relationships with departments across the company and position yourself as the go-to source for any cross-functional need
✅ Ability to work in a fast-paced news environment, processing relevant information from multiple departments and synthesizing it to weave together a plan for the immediate, mid-term, and long-term future
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong organizational skills, the ability to multitask, and a keen eye for detail to ensure consistent and high-quality content across all platforms.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: 2 to 4 years of professional experience in sports social media, newsroom social, or sports digital marketing
Required Skills:
- Creativity to engage a passionate audience of sports fans
- General understanding of The Athletic's brand and voice on various social media platforms
- Analytical mindset with understanding of key social growth and engagement metrics
- Demonstrated platform fluency on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook in business/professional applications
- Experience managing multiple social channels
- Strong writing skills with a keen eye for detail, grammar, and punctuation
- Excellent communication skills
- Baseline knowledge of data analytics in order to understand and track KPIs
- Flexibility in terms of schedule (weekends, evenings, holidays, etc.)
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with social media management tools (e.g., Hootsuite, Buffer, Sprout Social)
- Familiarity with social media analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Sprout Social, Hootsuite Insights)
- Knowledge of SEO best practices
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in sports social media or digital marketing are strongly encouraged to apply. Relevant experience in other industries may also be considered.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $67,000 - $70,000 USD per year
Benefits:
- Highly competitive, employer-contributed medical, dental, vision, basic life, and disability insurance plans
- Savings accounts for medical, wellness, and childcare expenses
- 401k retirement savings plan and employer match
- Paid time off including paid sick leave, 12 paid holidays, 15 days of accrued vacation to start, and up to 20 weeks of Paid Parental Leave
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week) with flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on industry standards for similar roles and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Online Media, specifically sports journalism and content
Company Size: 501-1,000 employees (as of 2025)
Founded: 2016
Company Description:
- Powered by one of the largest global newsrooms in sports media
- Covers hundreds of professional and college teams across North America and Europe
- Offers in-depth coverage, analysis, and storytelling across various sports and teams
- Acquired by The New York Times in 2022
Company Specialties:
- Sports journalism and content
- Digital media and storytelling
- Audio and video production
Company Website: http://www.theathletic.com
ASSUMPTION: The Athletic offers a dynamic and fast-paced work environment, with opportunities for growth and collaboration within the sports media industry.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level (2-5 years of experience)
Reporting Structure: This role may report directly to the Social Media Manager or a similar position within the company's social media or marketing department
Work Arrangement: Fully remote, with the option to work from home or a co-working space
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential advancement to Social Media Manager or similar roles within the company
- Expansion of responsibilities to include additional platforms or content areas
- Opportunities to work on special projects or initiatives
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within the company's social media and marketing departments.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Fully remote (no physical office location)
Office Location(s): United States (with a focus on East Coast and Central time zones)
Geographic Context:
- Remote work allows for flexibility in location, with a focus on US time zones
- Opportunities to collaborate with team members and colleagues across North America and Europe
- Access to various sports and events across the United States and beyond
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week) with flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed to cover breaking news and live events
ASSUMPTION: The remote work environment requires strong self-motivation, time management, and communication skills to ensure consistent and high-quality content across all platforms.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Initial resume screening
- Phone or video call with the hiring manager or HR representative
- Social media challenge or test project
- Final interview with key stakeholders
Key Assessment Areas:
- Social media strategy and content creation
- Platform knowledge and analytics
- Communication and collaboration skills
- Adaptability and problem-solving
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant social media experience and achievements
- Demonstrate a strong understanding of The Athletic's brand and content
- Showcase your creativity and ability to engage a passionate audience
- Prepare for behavioral and scenario-based interview questions
ATS Keywords: Social Media Strategy, Content Curation, Audience Growth, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Writing Skills, Communication Skills, Data Analytics, Platform Fluency, Creativity, Attention to Detail
ASSUMPTION: The application process may vary depending on the specific needs and preferences of the hiring manager or HR representative.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Social media management tools (e.g., Hootsuite, Buffer, Sprout Social)
- Social media analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Sprout Social, Hootsuite Insights)
- Content creation and design tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite)
- Project management and collaboration tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Slack)
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies used may vary depending on the company's preferences and the candidate's experience and expertise.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Passion for sports and storytelling
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Innovation and adaptability
- Integrity and accountability
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and dynamic
- Collaborative and cross-functional
- Data-driven and analytical
- Creative and innovative
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you stay up-to-date with breaking news and live events in the sports world?
- Can you provide an example of a successful social media campaign you've created or contributed to?
- How do you prioritize and manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment?
ASSUMPTION: The Athletic values candidates who are passionate about sports, creative, and able to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple social media platforms and content types simultaneously
- Adapting to breaking news and live events in real-time
- Balancing the need for speed and accuracy in a fast-paced news environment
- Working remotely and maintaining strong communication with team members and colleagues
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong organizational skills, adaptability, and a keen eye for detail.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Social Media Coordinator vs. Social Media Associate: The Coordinator role may have more focus on day-to-day content creation and scheduling, while the Associate role involves more strategic planning and cross-functional collaboration
- Digital Marketing Specialist vs. Social Media Associate: The Digital Marketing Specialist role may encompass a broader range of digital marketing channels and tactics, while the Social Media Associate role focuses specifically on social media strategy and content
- Content Creator vs. Social Media Associate: The Content Creator role may involve more focus on creating and designing content for various platforms, while the Social Media Associate role involves both content creation and strategic planning
ASSUMPTION: These roles may vary depending on the specific company and industry, and some responsibilities may overlap or be combined.
📝 Sample Projects
- Creating a social media strategy for a major sports event or tournament
- Developing reactive social media content in response to breaking news or live events
- Managing a social media team or intern to ensure consistent and high-quality content across all platforms
ASSUMPTION: These projects may vary depending on the specific needs and preferences of the company and the candidate's experience and expertise.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the company's overall social media and marketing strategy?
- What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how can I best prepare for them?
- How does the company support the professional growth and development of its employees?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does the company measure the success of its social media efforts, and what KPIs are most important?
ASSUMPTION: These questions can help candidates better understand the role, the company, and the expectations for success in this position.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Customize your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills
- Prepare a portfolio or examples of your social media work, if applicable
- Follow up with the hiring manager or HR representative one week after submission, if you have not heard back
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
