📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Sponsored Content Specialist
🔹 Company: Hearst Newspapers
🔹 Location: Houston, TX, USA
🔹 Job Type: Full time
🔹 Category: Advertising & Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: May 27, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 0-2 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Managing advertiser content request fulfillment from start to finish
- Supporting paid and organic strategists with agency clients
- Collaborating with editorial teams and clients
- Creating and executing social media content and paid campaigns
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of creativity, organization, and communication skills. It's ideal for someone looking to gain experience in both organic and paid social media strategies.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Own advertiser’s content request fulfillment process, including writing/editing copy, getting editorial approval, and publishing posts on publisher’s social profiles
✅ Manage boosting budget for sponsored content, including building target audiences, pacing budget spend, and sharing reporting on results
✅ Support the rest of the social media team with agency clients, including copywriting, organizing client content assets, and setting up paid social media audiences/campaign structures
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of independent work and team collaboration, with a focus on meeting deadlines and maintaining high-quality standards.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in marketing, communications, advertising, or related field
Experience: 1 year of proven experience in creating and executing social media content and paid campaigns
Required Skills:
- Superior written and verbal communication skills
- Experience with creating posts on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn
- Experience using Facebook Ads Manager and other paid social media tools
- Ability to perform light design work (typically in Canva)
- Self-starter and quick to execute, brainstorm, and communicate with clients and sellers
Preferred Skills:
- Content marketing and SEO writing experience
ASSUMPTION: While a degree is preferred, relevant experience and a strong portfolio may be considered equivalent.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $45,000 - $55,000 per year (based on industry standards for entry-level social media specialists in Houston, TX)
Benefits:
- Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
- Competitive retirement plan with matching program
- Generous paid time off, including holidays and vacation
- Paid parental leave
- Monthly child & dependent care reimbursement
- Mental wellness benefits
- Inclusive healthcare
- Fertility coverage & menopause support
- Pet wellness reimbursement & Rover credits
Working Hours: Full-time, typically Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (with flexibility for project deadlines)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is an estimate based on industry standards and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and skills.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Newspaper Publishing
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees
Founded: 1887
Company Description:
- Hearst Newspapers (HNP) is a leading provider of local and regional news, with a national network of over 75 brands
- Committed to being the most trusted, respected, and accurate source of news and information in the communities they serve
- Offers a comprehensive portfolio of modern local and regional brands, services, and solutions
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: www.JoinHNP.com
ASSUMPTION: Hearst Newspapers is a well-established company with a strong focus on local news and community engagement.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Entry-level to mid-level, with opportunities for growth and advancement
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Social Media Manager
Work Arrangement: On-site, with the possibility of remote work for specific tasks or projects
Growth Opportunities:
- Gain experience working with nationally recognized media brands and clients
- Develop skills in both organic and paid social media strategies
- Potential for career progression within the advertising operations social media team or other departments
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to gain experience in both organic and paid social media strategies while working with prominent media brands and clients.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, collaborative office space
Office Location(s): 4747 Southwest Fwy, Houston, Texas 77027, US
Geographic Context:
- Houston is the fourth-most populous city in the United States and the most populous city in Texas
- Known for its diverse economy, with strengths in energy, aerospace, and healthcare industries
- Offers a vibrant cultural scene, with numerous museums, theaters, and parks
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, with flexibility for project deadlines
ASSUMPTION: The Houston office provides a dynamic and collaborative work environment, with opportunities for professional growth and development.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume screening
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- In-person or virtual interview with the social media team
- Final interview with the director of advertising operations
Key Assessment Areas:
- Communication skills and ability to work with editorial teams
- Social media content creation and paid campaign experience
- Problem-solving and time management skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with company values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume to highlight relevant social media experience and skills
- Prepare a portfolio showcasing your best social media content and paid campaign examples
- Demonstrate your understanding of the role and company by asking insightful questions during the interview
ATS Keywords: Social Media, Content Creation, Paid Campaigns, Copywriting, Client Communication, Audience Targeting, Budget Management, Reporting, Facebook Ads Manager, Canva, SEO Writing, Organizing Assets, Creative Thinking, Team Support, Editorial Collaboration, Organic Strategy
ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role is designed to assess the candidate's communication skills, social media experience, and cultural fit within the Hearst Newspapers team.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Facebook Ads Manager
- Canva
- Hootsuite or other social media management platforms
- Google Analytics
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools is essential for success in this role, and candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their proficiency during the interview process.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Integrity
- Quality
- Innovation
- Collaboration
- Accountability
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Adaptable and responsive to changing priorities
- Results-driven and focused on meeting deadlines
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you ensure high-quality standards when managing multiple projects simultaneously?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt to a sudden change in priorities or project scope?
- How do you approach working with diverse teams and stakeholders to achieve common goals?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their alignment with Hearst Newspapers' values and work style during the interview process.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
- Adapting to changes in priorities or project scope
- Working with diverse teams and stakeholders to achieve common goals
- Navigating a fast-paced and dynamic work environment
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome by strong communication, time management, and adaptability skills.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Social Media Coordinator or Specialist, but with a focus on managing advertiser content requests and supporting paid and organic strategists
- Unlike other social media roles, this position requires a balance of independent work and team collaboration
- Career progression may include roles such as Social Media Manager, Advertising Operations Manager, or other related positions within the company
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of responsibilities and growth opportunities within the advertising operations social media team.
📝 Sample Projects
- Managing a sponsored content campaign for a national advertiser, including content creation, audience targeting, and budget management
- Supporting an organic strategist with content creation and scheduling for a local publication's social media profiles
- Collaborating with an editorial team to create and publish a co-branded post for a regional advertiser
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the diverse responsibilities and collaborative nature of the Sponsored Content Specialist role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe a typical day or week in this role?
- How does this role support the overall advertising operations team's goals and objectives?
- What opportunities are there for professional growth and development within this role or the department?
- How does the company support work-life balance for employees in this role?
- Can you provide an example of a successful sponsored content campaign and the strategies used to achieve its goals?
ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions will help candidates better understand the role, the team, and the company culture, enabling them to make an informed decision about the opportunity.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume to highlight relevant social media experience and skills
- Prepare a portfolio showcasing your best social media content and paid campaign examples
- Demonstrate your understanding of the role and company by asking insightful questions during the interview
- Follow up with the hiring manager within 24 hours after your interview to express your appreciation and reiterate your interest in the position
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
