Social Media Manager

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Social Media Manager

🔹 Company: WorldStrides

🔹 Location: United States

🔹 Job Type: On-site

🔹 Category: Education Administration Programs

🔹 Date Posted: June 3, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Developing and executing the overarching social media strategy for WorldStrides’ K–12 Group.
• Planning and maintaining a content calendar aligned to marketing campaigns, sales cycles, and brand moments.
• Creating engaging, on-brand content tailored to the nuances of each platform.
• Managing day-to-day execution across all active platforms, ensuring a cohesive brand presence and voice.
• Leading real-time community management to foster engagement and build trust with audiences.
• Developing and maintaining relationships with student content creators, influencers, and brand partners.
• Monitoring trends, platform updates, and algorithm changes to adapt strategy and ensure continued performance growth.
• Collaborating with internal stakeholders to ensure social media efforts align with broader marketing initiatives and brand messaging.
• Analyzing performance data and producing monthly reports with actionable insights to refine content and optimize results.
• Partnering with the paid media team to ensure alignment between organic and paid strategies, supporting campaign objectives and creative testing.
• Serving as the internal expert on social media, providing guidance on best practices and emerging opportunities.

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic, creative, and self-driven individual with a deep understanding of platform best practices and a strong storytelling ability.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Own and develop the overarching social media strategy for WorldStrides’ K–12 Group, including WorldStrides, WorldStrides Sports, and WorldStrides Performing Arts.

✅ Plan and maintain a content calendar aligned to marketing campaigns, sales cycles, and brand moments, ensuring consistent and timely publishing across platforms.

✅ Create or oversee the development of engaging, on-brand content—including captions, graphics, photos, and short-form video—tailored to the nuances of each platform.

✅ Manage day-to-day execution across all active platforms (including but not limited to Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, YouTube), ensuring a cohesive brand presence and voice.

✅ Lead real-time community management: respond to comments, DMs, and tags in a timely, brand-appropriate manner to foster engagement and build trust with our audiences.

✅ Develop and maintain relationships with student content creators, influencers, and brand partners to amplify reach and source authentic user-generated content.

✅ Monitor trends, platform updates, and algorithm changes to adapt strategy and ensure continued performance growth.

✅ Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure social media efforts align with broader marketing initiatives, lead generation goals, and brand messaging.

✅ Analyze performance data and produce monthly reports with actionable insights to refine content, inform testing, and optimize results.

✅ Partner with the paid media team to ensure alignment between organic and paid strategies, supporting campaign objectives and creative testing.

✅ Serve as the internal expert on social media, providing guidance on best practices and emerging opportunities.

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a proactive, self-directed approach, with the ability to interpret data and performance trends to optimize content and improve results.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related field.

Experience: 3-5+ years of experience managing social media for a brand, organization, or agency—education, travel, youth marketing, or lifestyle sectors preferred.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience managing social media for a brand, organization, or agency.
• Strong understanding of major social platforms (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, YouTube) and their role in driving engagement and awareness.
• A creative mind and a genuine passion for social media—you stay on top of trends, know what’s resonating, and instinctively understand what makes content click.
• Excellent writing skills with a sharp sense for voice, tone, and storytelling tailored to diverse audiences.
• Experience creating or sourcing visual content, including short-form video, graphics, and user-generated media.
• Familiarity with social scheduling and analytics tools (e.g., Meta Business Suite, Later, Sprout Social, HubSpot, TikTok Analytics).
• A proactive, self-directed approach—you’re comfortable owning strategy, execution, and performance tracking end to end.
• Ability to interpret data and performance trends to optimize content and improve results.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment with multiple audiences and priorities.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with social media advertising and paid media strategies.
• Fluency in a second language.

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a proven track record in social media management, with a strong understanding of platform best practices and a creative approach to content development.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $60,000 - $80,000 per year (Based on industry standards for a Social Media Manager with 3-5 years of experience in the education or travel sectors)

Benefits:

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage, life, accidental death and dismemberment, accident, critical illness, and disability insurance, FSA healthcare, FSA dependent care, HAS with employer contribution, and generous 401k match.
• 10 paid floating corporate holidays, 1 paid volunteer day and 25 PTO days to start — accrue up to 28 over 3 years, 4 mental health days, and 5 bereavement days.
• Tuition reimbursement up to five thousand, two hundred fifty dollars annually or one thousand dollars towards professional certification annually.
• Opportunities for paid and discounted travel.
• Encouraged participation in our Employee Resource Groups and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion council.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Paid Parental, Caregiver, and Disability leave.
• Team Member Discount Program.

ASSUMPTION: The salary range and benefits package are competitive for the education and travel sectors, reflecting the importance of this role within the organization.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: WorldStrides operates in the education administration programs industry, focusing on educational travel and experiences for students of all ages.

Company Size: WorldStrides is a mid-sized company with 1,001-5,000 employees, providing ample opportunities for growth and collaboration.

Founded: WorldStrides was founded in 1967 by a middle school social studies teacher from Chicago, with a mission to provide educational travel programs to students.

Company Description:

• WorldStrides is a global leader in educational travel and experiential learning, offering a wide range of programs for more than half a million students annually to over 100 countries around the world.
• The company offers educational travel, performing arts, sports, language immersion, career exploration, service-learning, study abroad, and sports experiences.
• WorldStrides is committed to promoting inclusion, diversity, and sustainability in its initiatives and operations.

Company Specialties:

• Educational Travel Programs and Study Abroad

Company Website: http://www.worldstrides.com

ASSUMPTION: WorldStrides' commitment to educational travel and experiential learning provides a unique and rewarding work environment for employees.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: The Social Media Manager role is a mid-level position, offering opportunities for growth and advancement within the marketing department and the organization.

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Director of Marketing for the K–12 Group and works closely with various internal stakeholders, including the paid media team and content creators.

Work Arrangement: This is an on-site position, with the possibility of occasional remote work for specific tasks or projects.

Growth Opportunities:

• Proven success in this role may lead to advancement to a Senior Social Media Manager or similar leadership position within the marketing department.
• WorldStrides' global presence and diverse offerings provide opportunities for career growth and development within the organization.

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a clear path for career progression, with opportunities for growth and advancement based on performance and demonstrated skills.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: WorldStrides' headquarters is located in Charlottesville, Virginia, with additional offices and operations worldwide.

Office Location(s): 218 W Water Street, Charlottesville, Virginia 22902, US

Geographic Context:

• Charlottesville is a historic city in central Virginia, with a population of approximately 45,000 people.
• The city is home to the University of Virginia and offers a vibrant cultural scene, with numerous museums, theaters, and festivals throughout the year.
• Charlottesville is conveniently located near several major highways, making it an ideal location for commuters and travelers.

Work Schedule: The Social Media Manager position follows a standard full-time work schedule, with occasional flexibility for specific tasks or projects.

ASSUMPTION: Charlottesville's historic charm and cultural offerings provide a unique and enjoyable work environment for employees, with easy access to major highways and nearby attractions.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Applicants will be reviewed by the hiring manager and HR team.
• Candidates who meet the qualifications will be invited for an initial phone or video screening.
• Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an in-depth interview with the hiring manager and relevant team members.
• Final candidates may be required to complete a skills assessment or provide a portfolio of their work.
• WorldStrides will extend an offer to the selected candidate and conduct a background check before finalizing the hire.

Key Assessment Areas:

• Strategic thinking and planning skills.
• Creativity and content development abilities.
• Familiarity with social media platforms and analytics tools.
• Communication and interpersonal skills, both written and verbal.
• Problem-solving and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role.
• Showcase your understanding of WorldStrides' mission and values in your application materials.
• Prepare examples of your past social media campaigns and their results to discuss during the interview.
• Research WorldStrides' competitors and industry trends to demonstrate your knowledge of the market landscape.
• Be prepared to discuss your approach to community management and crisis communication in a social media context.

ATS Keywords: Social Media Management, Content Strategy, Community Management, Engagement, Storytelling, Visual Content Creation, Analytics, Trend Monitoring, Collaboration, Performance Reporting, Brand Development, Influencer Relations, Platform Best Practices, Lead Generation, Marketing Alignment, Proactive Approach, Data Interpretation, Education, Travel, Youth Marketing, Lifestyle

ASSUMPTION: WorldStrides' hiring process is designed to assess candidates' skills, experience, and cultural fit, with a focus on finding the best fit for the organization and the role.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Meta Business Suite
• Later
• Sprout Social
• HubSpot
• TikTok Analytics
• Canva
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Google Analytics

ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools is preferred, but WorldStrides is willing to provide training and support to the right candidate.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Educate and serve communities worldwide.
• Promote inclusion, diversity, and sustainability in initiatives and operations.
• Invest in initiatives to support inclusion, diversity, and sustainability.

Work Style:

• Collaborative and mission-driven.
• Fast-paced and adaptable to change.
• Committed to continuous learning and improvement.

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you align with WorldStrides' commitment to educate and serve communities worldwide?
• How do you approach working in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment with multiple audiences and priorities?
• How do you ensure your work style fits with WorldStrides' collaborative and adaptable culture?

ASSUMPTION: WorldStrides values candidates who are passionate about their mission, adaptable to change, and committed to continuous learning and improvement.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• The role requires managing multiple social media platforms and content calendars simultaneously.
• WorldStrides' diverse audience segments may present unique challenges in content development and engagement strategies.
• The fast-paced nature of social media may require quick decision-making and adaptability to trends and algorithm changes.
• The role may involve occasional work outside of standard business hours to monitor and respond to social media activity.

ASSUMPTION: WorldStrides' commitment to supporting its employees' professional development and work-life balance helps mitigate these challenges.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Unlike other social media manager roles, this position focuses on educational travel and experiences, requiring a unique understanding of the industry and its target audiences.
• WorldStrides' global presence and diverse offerings provide a broader range of opportunities for content development and audience engagement compared to more niche or localized organizations.
• Career progression in this role may differ from more traditional marketing or communications paths, with opportunities for growth and advancement within the education and experiential learning sectors.

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of marketing and education, with a focus on driving engagement and awareness for WorldStrides' educational travel and experien