Digital Lead - Edelman Smithfield

Edelman•Washington, DC

14d

About The Position

Edelman Smithfield is seeking an entrepreneurial, growth-oriented, digital-first leader to grow and scale the firm’s digital and social media capabilities. This role sets the vision for how digital communications, platforms, and content drive measurable business outcomes, particularly for clients across industries who are facing transformational moments, and in the financial services sector, notably private capital, asset management, fintech and financial policy. This individual will play a key leadership role in shaping and advancing digital innovation and excellence across website strategy and development, SEO and generative optimization (GEO), content creation and amplification, paid and organic social media, analytics and measurement, and community engagement. This person will serve as the firm’s senior digital thought leader, translating complex business, financial and market dynamics into compelling, high-impact digital communications. They will collaborate closely with Smithfield’s senior leadership to lead digital client work across the financial communications spectrum, including capital markets, the investor community, retail banking, fintech, institutional asset management, private equity, private credit, venture capital, and hedge funds, among others. This role will strategically shape and execute a strong commercial mandate, partnering with leadership to identify growth opportunities, create new offerings, and contribute meaningfully to new business development. The ideal candidate will have proven account management skills and take an active role in strategically driving digital account work and building strong client relationships. A passion for mentorship and talent development is essential. The successful candidate will inspire and empower teams by modeling digital fluency, fostering collaboration, and elevating performance through thoughtful feedback and coaching.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in political science, business, journalism, public policy, communications, or a related field.
At least 15+ years of post-graduate, relevant professional experience in digital marketing, social media, public relations, advertising, consulting, media, publishing, or a related field.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in an agency environment, with the ability to quickly adapt, manage multiple priorities, and deliver impact in a fast-paced, client-driven setting.
Experience serving as a primary point of contact for clients, executing plans to meet measurable client goals, and managing projects within budget.
Strong understanding of capital markets and the financial services industry, including key trends, regulatory considerations, and audience behaviors across retail banking, fintech, asset management, and hedge funds.
Demonstrated success in developing and executing integrated digital communications strategies for financial institutions, aligned with measurable business outcomes.
Proven ability to identify and pursue new business opportunities, contribute to pitch development, and expand existing client relationships.
Experience evolving or scaling digital capabilities within a broader communications or marketing organization, including educating and empowering non-digital teams.
Deep expertise in social media platforms, digital marketing tools, and the broader digital ecosystem, with the ability to apply emerging trends and best practices.
Strong analytical mindset, with experience using data and insights to optimize performance, demonstrate ROI, and inform strategy.
Exceptional collaborative instincts, with experience partnering across disciplines—such as paid media, creative, design, and technology—to deliver cohesive, high-impact client programs.
Ability to translate complex financial topics into clear, engaging, and impactful digital content.
Executive-level communication skills, including the ability to counsel senior clients, present complex strategies with clarity, and represent the firm in external settings.
A passion for creative thinking and innovation, with experience partnering effectively with creative and design teams.
Demonstrated ability to manage across levels and teams, with enthusiasm for coaching and developing talent and a track record of mentoring, motivating, and fostering growth across diverse skill levels.

Responsibilities

Serve as Edelman Smithfield’s most senior digital advisor and a trusted strategic counselor and primary point of contact for clients, anticipating needs, and ensuring consistently high-quality, results-driven work.
Shape the group’s growth strategy and identify, pursue, and drive new business opportunities by cultivating relationships with prospective clients, leading and contributing to pitches, and expanding existing accounts.
Champion the value of digital across clients and teams, elevating program performance and delivering best-in-class digital and social strategies with measurable impact.
Act as an internal and external thought leader on the evolving social media and digital landscape, including platform changes, algorithms, creator ecosystems, and regulatory considerations.
Provide senior oversight of paid media strategy and execution, including targeting, budget allocation, optimization, and performance measurement.
Partner closely with creative and design teams to guide the development of creative assets that support digital campaigns across channels.
Drive digital education and enablement across the broader team, helping non-digital colleagues build fluency, confidence, and capability to deliver integrated, digital-first client work.
Maintain accountability for quality, performance, timelines, and budgets, ensuring operational efficiency across all account activities.
Mentor, empower, and motivate team members at all levels; provide constructive feedback, foster professional growth, and promote a culture of collaboration, excellence and innovation.
Oversee multiple complex projects from concept to completion, applying foresight, measurement frameworks, and problem-solving to deliver exceptional results.