Social Strategy Manager

University of Washington Medical Center•Seattle, WA

5d•$84,996 - $99,000•Hybrid

About The Position

KUOW is seeking a Social Strategy Manager to lead the long-term vision, strategy, growth, and evolution of the organization’s social media presence. Reporting to the Director of Marketing, this role develops audience-centered strategies to expand reach, deepen engagement, strengthen audience loyalty, and advance KUOW’s mission across established and emerging social platforms. The manager defines how KUOW journalism is distributed and presented on social channels, establishing publishing strategies, content frameworks, engagement approaches, and performance benchmarks. They collaborate with editorial, digital, and creative teams to optimize content for platforms while meeting editorial, brand, and accessibility standards. The position is based at KUOW’s University District studio and is suitable for hybrid telework. It is a regular, 100% FTE position on first shift. Duties may occasionally require evening and weekend work, and travel may be necessary to capture video footage with KUOW’s marketing or editorial teams. The work environment is a cubicle/open workspace that may involve additional or higher levels of noise and visual distractions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, Digital Media, Marketing, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
At least 3 years of experience leading social media strategy for a business, nonprofit, or large organization; in digital publishing; in audience development; or in a related field.
Proven experience developing and executing enterprise-level social media strategies aligned with organizational goals and brand objectives.
Experience managing social media operations, including content planning, publishing workflows, editorial calendars, and multi-platform distribution.
Strong knowledge of major and emerging social media platforms, content formats, audience behaviors, and platform best practices.
Proven ability to create, package, optimize, and adapt content for platform-specific performance, including graphics, social copy, and light video editing.
Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with the ability to create compelling, audience-focused content aligned with editorial standards and brand voice.
Experience using audience insights, social analytics, and performance data to inform strategy and decision-making.
Strong collaboration, communication, and project management skills.
Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as news coverage requires.
Ability to travel when necessary to capture video footage with KUOW’s marketing or editorial teams.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in news, media, publishing, or mission-driven content organizations.
Knowledge of and passion for the Puget Sound region and its communities.
Experience leading, mentoring, or managing content creators, producers, or digital media professionals.
Understanding of marketing principles, brand strategy, and digital audience acquisition.
Knowledge of accessibility best practices for digital and social media content.

Responsibilities

Develop, lead, and continuously evolve KUOW’s social media and audience growth strategy across established and emerging platforms.
Identify opportunities to expand audience reach, deepen engagement, strengthen audience loyalty, and increase visibility of KUOW journalism.
Serve as KUOW’s subject matter expert on social media trends, platform developments, audience behavior, and emerging content formats.
Recommend and test new approaches, tools, channels, and storytelling methods that support audience growth and engagement goals.
Use audience insights, industry trends, and performance data to inform strategic direction and resource allocation.
Foster innovation, experimentation, accountability, and continuous improvement within the social media function.
Lead social publishing strategy, including content prioritization, scheduling, cadence, platform selection, and distribution plans.
Maintain KUOW’s continuous presence across active channels, including post automations and a publishing calendar of original content.
Define platform-specific content packaging best practices, including captions, headlines, graphics, videos, accessibility, calls to action, and engagement tactics.
Determine effective content formats and storytelling approaches for individual stories and broader editorial initiatives.
Collaborate with editors, reporters, web producers, video producers, and graphic designers to create social-first content advancing audience and editorial goals.
Create and publish social media content, including captions, thumbnails, graphics within established templates, and light video edits for platform-specific distribution.
Review content and creative assets, providing feedback and direction to meet strategic objectives and brand expectations.
Support social media coverage of breaking news, major events, fundraising campaigns, and enterprise journalism as needed.
Develop strategies to foster meaningful audience engagement, conversation, and community connection across social platforms.
Monitor audience feedback, sentiment, and engagement trends to identify opportunities and inform content decisions.
Establish and track performance metrics aligned with KUOW’s mission, audience goals, and growth objectives.
Monitor messages and comments and maintain a system for responding to audience questions and feedback, including assigning tasks to appropriate colleagues.
Analyze content and platform performance and translate data into actionable recommendations for improving audience outcomes.
Communicate results, insights, and emerging opportunities to newsroom leadership and key stakeholders.
Perform other duties as assigned.