Social Media Lead/Creator

USA Today•Oklahoma City, OK

About The Position

The Oklahoman, the state’s leading source for news, culture and sports journalism, is seeking a dynamic and innovative Social Media Lead/Creator to help expand our reach, deepen audience engagement, and strengthen our brand across emerging and established platforms. This role is ideal for someone who lives and breathes social media — and especially video. We’re looking for a creator who understands how to tell compelling visual stories that resonate on platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, and who can translate journalism into engaging, platform-native video content. The Social Media Creator/Producer will lead the creation of high-impact video and social content across platforms including TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Reddit, and emerging channels. This role will work closely with newsroom leadership, reporters, and visual teams to extend the reach of our journalism through compelling, shareable video storytelling and audience-first content. You will play a key role in shaping how The Oklahoman shows up in the social media ecosystem — with video at the center of that strategy. This is an opportunity to help redefine how a legacy newsroom connects with audiences through compelling, trustworthy, and highly engaging visual journalism.

Requirements

Bachelor's or master's degree in communications, journalism, marketing or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated experience producing video content for social platforms, with a strong portfolio showcasing platform-native work.
Deep understanding of video storytelling techniques across TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and other platforms.
Proficiency in shooting and editing video, including mobile-first production and tools such as Adobe Premiere, Final Cut, or equivalent.
Strong news judgment and understanding of journalistic standards, accuracy, and ethics.
Experience using analytics tools to evaluate video performance and inform strategy.
Ability to work in a fast-paced newsroom environment and collaborate across teams.
Creativity, curiosity, and a willingness to experiment and iterate.
Experience working in a newsroom or media organization.
On-camera experience and comfort engaging audiences directly.
Background in political, investigative, or community reporting.
Familiarity with Oklahoma and regional news audiences.
High-level writing, communication and time management skills.
Demonstrated ability to work well on deadline and use multimedia to supplement their reach.
This role requires a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.

Responsibilities

Produce, shoot, and edit original video content tailored to social platforms, including short-form vertical video, explainers, live streams, and on-camera reporting.
Develop platform-specific content that reflects The Oklahoman’s journalism and voice, with a strong emphasis on video-first storytelling.
Identify trends, formats, and audience behaviors across platforms and apply those insights to both daily output and long-term strategy.
Collaborate with reporters, editors, photographers, and videographers to translate breaking news, enterprise, and investigative reporting into engaging visual content.
Serve as an on-camera presence when appropriate, helping humanize our journalism and connect directly with audiences.
Monitor analytics and performance data to refine content strategy, with a focus on video engagement and audience growth.
Experiment with new video formats, tools, and storytelling techniques, including vertical storytelling, creator-style reporting, and audience participation.
Engage directly with audiences through comments, messages, and community-driven platforms to foster trust and conversation.
Stay ahead of platform changes, algorithm shifts, and emerging video trends.
Develop audience-growth strategies designed to attract new users to The Oklahoman through platform-native storytelling, creator-led journalism, and emerging audience opportunities.
Create content and audience journeys that encourage newsletter signups, registrations, subscriptions, and repeat engagement with The Oklahoman’s journalism.
Develop video content and recurring franchises informed by audience demand, search behavior, and long-term evergreen value, particularly on YouTube, where we can build audience familiarity, establish trust, and strengthen The Oklahoman’s identity across platforms.
Build meaningful relationships with audiences by fostering ongoing conversations, highlighting community voices, and identifying opportunities for participation in our journalism.