📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Social Media Strategist
🔹 Company: The Washington Post
🔹 Location: New York, NY (with remote flexibility)
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Marketing & Communications
🔹 Date Posted: April 14, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (5 days per week in the office)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing innovative social media strategies for branded content
- Collaborating with creative strategists to optimize content and create compelling assets
- Writing engaging social copy and managing influencer relationships
- Analyzing campaign performance and providing ROI measurement
- Staying up-to-date with social media trends and platform best practices
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of social media platforms, influencer marketing, and branded content strategy. Candidates should be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and collaborating with cross-functional teams.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Develop innovative social strategies for branded content that maximize engagement and client KPIs based on market best practices
✅ Collaborate with Creative Strategists to optimize content and create compelling assets
✅ Write social copy for posts promoting branded content
✅ Source and vet influencer talent for custom content programs, negotiating fees, managing budgets, and maintaining talent relationships
✅ Use tools to identify trends and optimize campaigns, and provide team training on these tools and platforms
✅ Develop measurement frameworks demonstrating ROI for social components
✅ Maintain resources reflecting our social and influencer capabilities
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of strategic thinking, creativity, and analytical skills. Candidates should be comfortable working with data and using it to inform their strategies.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related field
Experience: 2+ years of experience in social media strategy with a focus on branded content
Required Skills:
- Proven experience creating social-first content aligned with marketing objectives
- Success developing and executing social amplification campaigns
- Experience with influencer marketing, including talent sourcing and campaign execution
- Excellent presentation skills for communicating strategies to teams and clients
- Knowledge of current social trends and platform best practices
- Ability to prioritize and work in a fast-paced environment
Preferred Skills:
- Media, publishing, or agency experience
ASSUMPTION: While a degree in a related field is preferred, relevant experience and a strong portfolio can also be considered.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $55,900 - $83,900 USD Annual (based on experience and skills)
Benefits:
- Competitive medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Company-paid pension and 401(k) match
- Three weeks of vacation and up to three weeks of paid sick leave
- Nine paid holidays and two personal days
- 20 weeks paid parental leave for any new parent
- Robust mental health resources
- Backup care and caregiver concierge services
- Gender affirming services
- Pet insurance
- Free Post digital subscription
- Leadership and career development programs
Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexibility for remote work
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for this role and experience level. The actual salary may vary based on individual skills, experience, and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Newspaper Publishing
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees (large, established organization with diverse teams and opportunities)
Founded: 1877 (with a rich history and extensive industry experience)
Company Description:
- Leading news organization with a mission to connect, inform, and enlighten readers with trustworthy reporting
- Combines world-class journalism with the latest technology and tools for reader interaction
- Emphasizes innovation, speed, ownership, and leadership in all aspects of the business
Company Specialties:
- Media
- Newspaper
- Online and digital publishing
- Mobile
- Content creation and strategy
Company Website: http://www.washingtonpost.com/
ASSUMPTION: The Washington Post is a well-established organization with a strong reputation for quality journalism and innovation. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their understanding of the company's mission and values.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level (with opportunities for growth and development)
Reporting Structure: Reports to the Associate Director, Creative
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (5 days per week in the office, with flexibility for remote work)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to move into management or leadership roles within the creative strategy team
- Opportunities to work on high-profile campaigns and collaborate with diverse teams
- Access to professional development and training programs
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for career growth and development within the creative strategy team and the broader organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, collaborative office spaces in New York, NY, and Washington, D.C.
Office Location(s): 20 W. 22nd Street, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10010, US (with remote flexibility)
Geographic Context:
- New York, NY: Vibrant, multicultural city with a thriving media industry
- Washington, D.C.: Capital city with a rich history and diverse cultural scene
Work Schedule: Standard business hours with flexibility for remote work
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement allows for a balance between in-office collaboration and remote flexibility, catering to different work preferences.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screen with a member of the Talent Acquisition team
- Interview with the hiring manager and/or team members
- Final interview with the director or another senior leader
- Background check and offer extension
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Creativity and innovation
- Communication and presentation skills
- Understanding of social media trends and platform best practices
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant experience and achievements in social media strategy and influencer marketing
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize skills and experiences that match the job requirements
- Prepare examples of successful social media campaigns you've worked on and the results you achieved
- Be ready to discuss your understanding of The Washington Post's mission and values
ATS Keywords: Social Media Strategy, Branded Content, Influencer Marketing, Campaign Development, Platform Best Practices, Engagement Optimization, Measurement Frameworks
ASSUMPTION: The application process may vary, and candidates should be prepared to adapt their approach based on the specific interview format and assessment criteria.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok)
- Influencer marketing platforms (e.g., Grin, Upfluence, BrandSnob)
- Social media analytics tools (e.g., Sprout Social, Hootsuite, Buffer)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Monday.com)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with industry-standard tools and platforms is expected, but candidates should be open to learning and adapting to new tools as needed.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Connect: Engage with and understand our audience
- Inform: Provide accurate, trustworthy, and insightful information
- Enlighten: Inspire and empower our audience with ideas and perspectives
Work Style:
- Collaborative: Work closely with cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals
- Innovative: Embrace new ideas and approaches to problem-solving
- Adaptable: Thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with The Washington Post's mission to connect, inform, and enlighten readers?
- How do you stay up-to-date with social media trends and platform best practices?
- How do you approach working collaboratively with cross-functional teams?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their fit with The Washington Post's values and work style, as well as their understanding of the company's mission and goals.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects with different timelines and priorities
- Keeping up with the fast-paced nature of social media and influencer marketing
- Balancing creative and strategic thinking with data-driven decision-making
- Working effectively in a hybrid work environment
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong organizational skills, adaptability, and a focus on continuous learning and improvement.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Unlike other social media strategist roles, this position focuses specifically on branded content and influencer marketing
- This role offers the opportunity to work with a well-established news organization with a strong reputation for quality journalism and innovation
- Career progression may include moving into management or leadership roles within the creative strategy team or broader organization
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should research similar roles and compare the responsibilities, qualifications, and benefits to make an informed decision about their fit for this position.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a social media strategy for a new branded content campaign, including platform-specific content and engagement tactics
- Identifying and vetting influencers for a custom content program, negotiating fees, and managing budgets
- Analyzing campaign performance and developing measurement frameworks to demonstrate ROI for social components
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are intended to illustrate the types of tasks and responsibilities associated with this role, but the specific projects may vary based on the organization's needs and priorities.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the broader creative strategy team and the organization as a whole?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the social media team currently, and how can this role help address them?
- How does The Washington Post support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does The Washington Post approach work-life balance and employee well-being?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are intended to help candidates better understand the role, the team, and the organization, and to demonstrate their interest in and preparation for the position.
📌 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 examples of successful social media campaigns you've worked on and the results you achieved
- Be ready to discuss your understanding of The Washington Post's mission and values
- Follow up with the hiring manager or Talent Acquisition team one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the position
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
