Social Media Specialist

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Social Media Specialist

🔹 Company: Wikimedia Foundation

🔹 Location: Remote (Global)

🔹 Job Type: Full-time

🔹 Category: Marketing & Communications

🔹 Date Posted: July 16, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: Mid-level (5-10 years)

🔹 Remote Status: Global (See list of eligible countries)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Developing and executing digital communications strategies for Wikimedia Foundation and Wikipedia.
• Managing and creating engaging content for social media channels.
• Collaborating with teams to develop digital campaigns that increase global awareness.
• Monitoring social media interactions and providing insights to inform strategy.
• Supporting staff as online thought leaders and training community groups.

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic and creative storyteller with a strong understanding of social media platforms and best practices.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Shape and execute digital communications strategies for Wikimedia Foundation and Wikipedia.

✅ Manage and create engaging content for social media channels, including daily and campaign-specific posts.

✅ Collaborate with teams to develop digital campaigns that increase global awareness of Wikimedia projects and our social good mission.

✅ Monitor social media channels, moderate comments and messages, and engage with followers.

✅ Proactively identify strategic opportunities to engage across digital channels and connect Wikimedia to global events and causes.

✅ Support staff as online thought leaders by advancing their understanding of social platforms and identifying key moments for staff to contribute online.

✅ Create training presentations, toolkits, and guides for Wikimedia community groups and members to strengthen their social media brands and practices.

✅ Regularly organize and share metrics, data, and research reports to inform strategy.

✅ Work with marketing teams to support strategies for paid social media promotions.

✅ Assist with rapid response and crisis management to protect brand reputation and understand relevant discussions on social media.

✅ Manage the ongoing relationship with the social media agency that assists in executing day-to-day tasks.

ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong organizational skills, the ability to manage multiple tasks, and the capacity to work independently and collaboratively.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

Experience: Minimum of five years of digital communications experience, with an emphasis on social media copywriting, content creation, and account maintenance.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in developing and executing impactful digital communications strategies and content.
• In-depth knowledge of social media platforms, best practices, and trends.
• Strong verbal and written communication, editing, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational skills and experience managing multiple projects at once.
• Intellectual curiosity, flexibility, and a desire to tackle challenging problems.
• Ability to work on a team with diverse demographic and cultural characteristics, and flexibility to meet with people in multiple time zones.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience living or working outside the United States or past work on global digital campaigns.
• Experience in graphic design programs such as Figma.
• Involvement or experience within Wikimedia communities and/or editing the Wikimedia projects.

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong passion for social media, storytelling, and engaging audiences, as well as a deep understanding of digital media metrics and tools.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The anticipated annual pay range for this position is USD $76,765 to $144,201, with multiple individualized factors, including cost of living in the location, being the determinants of the offered pay. For applicants located outside of the US, the pay range will be adjusted to the country of hire.

Benefits:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company matching.
• Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Parental leave.
• Professional development opportunities.

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week) with flexible scheduling.

ASSUMPTION: The Wikimedia Foundation offers competitive salaries and benefits packages, with a focus on providing equitable compensation and supporting employee well-being.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: The Wikimedia Foundation operates in the non-profit sector, focusing on free knowledge and open-source culture.

Company Size: The Wikimedia Foundation has 501-1,000 employees, providing a large and diverse work environment with ample opportunities for collaboration and growth.

Founded: The Wikimedia Foundation was founded in 2003, with a mission to provide free access to the sum of all human knowledge.

Company Description:

• The Wikimedia Foundation is a non-profit organization that operates Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects.
• Its mission is to provide free access to the sum of all human knowledge through its free knowledge projects, including Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, and Wikidata.
• The Foundation builds software experiences for reading, contributing, and sharing Wikimedia content, supports volunteer communities and partners, and advocates for policies that enable Wikimedia and free knowledge to thrive.

Company Specialties:

• Non-Profit
• Free knowledge
• Open Source Culture
• Internet
• Technology
• Mobile
• Open Source
• Education
• Free Knowledge and Wikipedia

Company Website: wikimediafoundation.org

ASSUMPTION: The Wikimedia Foundation is a global organization with a strong commitment to open-source culture, free knowledge, and supporting volunteer communities.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is at the mid-level, requiring a balance of strategic thinking, tactical execution, and strong communication skills.

Reporting Structure: The Social Media Specialist will report directly to the Manager of Digital Communications and work closely with various teams, including Marketing, Communications, and Community Engagement.

Work Arrangement: This role is remote, with the ability to work from anywhere within the eligible countries listed.

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to advance to a senior role within the Digital Communications team or explore other opportunities within the organization.
• Chance to work on high-impact projects that reach a global audience and make a significant difference in people's lives.
• Opportunity to collaborate with diverse teams and gain exposure to various aspects of the organization's operations.

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of strategic and tactical work, with ample opportunities for growth and development within a dynamic and global organization.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Remote (Global)

Office Location(s): The Wikimedia Foundation has its headquarters in San Francisco, California, USA, but this role can be based anywhere within the eligible countries listed.

Geographic Context:

• The Wikimedia Foundation is a global organization, with employees and volunteers contributing to its projects from all over the world.
• Working remotely for a global organization offers the opportunity to collaborate with diverse teams and gain exposure to various cultures and perspectives.
• The eligible countries for this role include Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Mexico, Netherlands, Nigeria, Peru, Poland, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States of America, and Uruguay.

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week) with flexible scheduling, allowing for a healthy work-life balance.

ASSUMPTION: Working remotely for a global organization requires strong self-motivation, time management, and communication skills, as well as the ability to thrive in a dynamic and diverse work environment.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application review.
• Phone or video screen with the Hiring Manager.
• Technical assessment or case study.
• Final interviews with key stakeholders.
• Background check and onboarding.

Key Assessment Areas:

• Strategic thinking and digital communications expertise.
• Strong writing and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Cultural fit and alignment with Wikimedia Foundation values.
• Global mindset and experience working with diverse teams.

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role.
• Demonstrate your understanding of the Wikimedia Foundation's mission and values in your application materials.
• Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills, collaboration, and adaptability.
• Showcase your portfolio or examples of your social media work, if applicable.
• Follow up with the hiring manager after your interview to express your interest in the role and reiterate your qualifications.

ATS Keywords: Social Media, Digital Communications, Content Creation, Strategy Development, Project Management, Global Awareness, Crisis Management, Training Development, Metrics Analysis, Collaboration, Storytelling, A/B Testing, Paid Social Media, Community Engagement, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation

ASSUMPTION: The application process for the Wikimedia Foundation is competitive, with a strong focus on cultural fit and alignment with the organization's mission and values.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn)
• Content creation and graphic design tools (e.g., Canva, Figma, Adobe Creative Suite)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, JIRA)
• Social media analytics and metrics tools (e.g., Hootsuite Insights, Sprout Social, Buffer)
• Collaboration and communication tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace)

ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role are standard in the digital communications and social media industries, with a focus on collaboration, project management, and analytics.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Courage: We dare to do what's right, not what's easy.
• Collaboration: We work together, assuming good intent.
• Commitment: We are dedicated to our mission and to each other.
• Accountability: We hold ourselves accountable for our work and our impact.
• Equity: We strive for fairness and justice in our policies and practices.

Work Style:

• Global and remote-friendly, with a strong focus on asynchronous communication and collaboration.
• Dynamic and fast-paced, with a focus on innovation and continuous improvement.
• Diverse and inclusive, with a commitment to supporting and empowering underrepresented communities.
• Transparent and open, with a strong emphasis on communication and information sharing.

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you align with the Wikimedia Foundation's values, particularly 'Courage' and 'Commitment'?
• How do you approach working remotely with global teams, and how do you ensure effective communication and collaboration?
• How do you balance strategic thinking with tactical execution, and how do you prioritize your workload to meet deadlines?

ASSUMPTION: The Wikimedia Foundation values a diverse and inclusive work environment, with a strong emphasis on collaboration, transparency, and supporting underrepresented communities.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment.
• Working with a global team across different time zones and cultures, requiring strong communication and adaptability skills.
• Balancing strategic thinking and tactical execution, with a focus on continuous learning and improvement.
• Navigating the complexities of social media algorithms, trends, and best practices, which can change rapidly.
• Managing crises and reputational risks in a high-profile and global organization.

ASSUMPTION: The Social Media Specialist role at the Wikimedia Foundation presents unique challenges and opportunities for growth and development within a dynamic and global organization.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Compared to other social media specialist roles, this position offers a unique blend of strategic and tactical work, with a strong focus on global awareness and impact.
• Unlike other organizations, the Wikimedia Foundation places a strong emphasis on open-source culture, free knowledge, and supporting volunteer communities.
• Career progression in this role may involve advancing to a senior role within the Digital Communications team or exploring other opportunities within the organization, rather than seeking external promotions.

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of strategic and tactical work, with ample opportunities for growth and development within a dynamic and global organization.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a global social media campaign to raise awareness of Wikimedia's 20th anniversary.
• Creating engaging content and managing social media channels during high-profile events, such as Wikipedia's annual fundraising campaign or Wikimania, the Wikimedia community conference.
• Supporting the development of staff as online thought leaders by identifying key moments for staff to contribute to relevant online discussions and creating training materials to enhance their digital presence.

ASSUMPTION: The Social Media Specialist role at the Wikimedia Foundation offers a diverse range of projects, with a strong focus on global impact and engagement.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How does the Wikimedia Foundation support the professional development of its employees, particularly in the area of digital communications and social media?
• Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the Digital Communications department, and how does this role fit into the broader organization?
• How does the Wikimedia Foundation approach crisis management and reputational risk, particularly in the context of social media?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days, and how does the organization support new employees in achieving these goals?
• How does the Wikimedia Foundation foster a culture of collaboration and innovation, particularly in a remote and global work environment?

ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful and insightful questions during the interview process demonstrates your interest in the role and your commitment to understanding the organization's culture and values.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through the following link: https://boards.greenhouse.io/wikimedia/jobs/7077604
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role, with a particular focus on your digital communications and social media expertise.
• Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills, collaboration, and adaptability, as well as your alignment with the Wikimedia Foundation's mission and values.
• Showcase your portfolio or examples of your social media work, if applicable, to demonstrate your creativity and strategic thinking.
• Follow up with the hiring manager after your interview to express your interest in the role and reiterate your qualifications, with a focus on your enthusiasm for the Wikimedia Foundation's mission and values.

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