Digital Creative Content Strategist (freelance)

Hearst • Glendale, CA

1d • $41 - $46 • Onsite

About The Position

Hearst Media Production Group (HMPG) is seeking a freelance Digital Creative Content Strategist to support digital content strategy, creative concepts, and original digital series across HMPG broadcast series, digital originals, and potential business opportunities. This individual-contributor role has no direct reports, but may guide editors, freelancers, producers, and production partners on specific executions. Working closely with the Digital Director and Digital Content Strategy Manager, the strategist helps shape content from strategy through execution, including strategy decks, platform and channel recommendations, digital activations, production planning, talent and creator work, and creative guidance through post-production. The Digital Director and Digital Content Strategy Manager retain final creative approval.

The position reports to the Digital Content Strategy Manager and is based in Glendale, California, four days per week. It may involve travel to selected shoots to support production and capture digital content. Applicants must provide a portfolio or work samples demonstrating relevant digital content strategy or execution. Related experience and/or training, or a combination of education and experience, will be considered.

Requirements

• At least 3 years of experience in digital media, entertainment, branded content, social video, digital originals, creator-led production, or broadcast-adjacent content development.
• Demonstrated ability to create content strategy decks, pitch materials, client-facing presentations, creative proposals, or social content plans.
• Hands-on experience developing or producing digital original content, including short-form and long-form formats.
• Practical knowledge of production planning, shoot logistics, budgeting, staffing, talent coordination, set workflows, and post-production processes.
• Experience working with editors, producers, creators, influencers, talent, production teams, clients, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of social platforms, digital video formats, audience behavior, creator culture, and platform-specific creative strategy.
• Comfort discussing digital analytics, audience growth, engagement, video performance, retention, content optimization, and platform trends.
• Strong writing skills for strategic positioning, captions, tone of voice, creative copy, pitch language, and presentation copy.
• Excellent communication, presentation, organization, and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple shows, deadlines, priorities, and stakeholders.
• Familiarity with digital production equipment and workflows, including DSLR or cinema-style cameras, lighting, sound, lavaliers, and field production tools.
• Valid passport with at least 18 months of remaining validity at the time of hire, and willingness and ability to travel as needed.
• Applicants must provide a portfolio or work samples demonstrating digital content strategy, social-first creative ideas, campaign examples, writing samples, digital video work, or platform-specific content execution.
• Related experience and/or training, or a combination of education and experience, will be considered.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with educational, family-friendly, youth, lifestyle, sports, or mission-driven programming.
• Related military training and experience will be considered.

Responsibilities

• Support content strategy development through platform research, audience trend identification, drafting content pillars, and preparing initial strategic materials.
• Contribute platform-specific recommendations covering channel content, format, audience fit, and marketing goals.
• Help define the visual look and feel of original digital content, including pacing, graphics, recurring formats, captions, voice, and platform-native treatments.
• Support business development by ideating digital activations, social extensions, creator integrations, talent ideas, original formats, audience engagement strategies, and practical production approaches.
• Support production planning by gathering information about production departments and timelines.
• Prepare shoot agendas, shoot priorities, run-of-show documents, production notes, and creative briefs for digital productions; potentially lead smaller digital shoots or content captures with oversight.
• Travel to selected shoots to support digital capture, production oversight, talent direction, and real-time creative decisions; capture behind-the-scenes footage, social-first clips, interviews, talent moments, and supplemental assets as needed.
• Research and recommend digital creators, influencers, editors, freelancers, and production partners.
• Give editors and producers creative direction on pacing, platform formatting, and visual references.
• Apply platform fluency and cultural judgment to evaluate trends, copy, and strategy, and flag ideas unlikely to connect with audiences.
• Guide editors and producers on visual style, pacing, structure, graphics, format, and storytelling approach.

Benefits

• Eligible employees may enroll in health coverage through Entertainment Partners’ EP Cares program.
• Medical coverage.
• Dental coverage.
• Vision coverage.
• Emotional wellness support.
• Additional benefits to meet employees’ and their families’ needs.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed