Social Media Producer

Science News Media Group; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Science News Media Group seeks an innovative Social Media Producer to build audiences for our science journalism. You will develop social content tied to SNMG coverage and manage posts across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, Reddit, YouTube and TikTok.

The role requires crafting daily social content, collaborating with newsroom and design teams, and exploring new platforms to expand reach. Hybrid in-office work in Washington, DC is possible.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Experience managing social media feeds.
• Excellent copy-writing/editing skills for social media.
• Knowledge of WordPress.
• Interest in and familiarity with recent developments in science.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with News Team to create accurate social media copy and curate original content.
• Schedule content throughout the day using platforms such as Hootsuite.
• Collaborate with Design Team to ensure visuals promote the Science News brand.
• Monitor and engage with SNMG readers on various social platforms.
• Develop strategies to increase engagement and grow audiences.
• Collaborate with Design Team to imagine and enact new platform strategies.
• Manage and produce newsletters.
• Develop, test and execute new products.
• Identify trending stories with a science lens for social amplification.
• Use metrics such as CTR and impressions to guide strategy.

Skills

Copywriting for social media

Social media management

Time management

Communication skills

News ethics knowledge

Multi-project prioritization

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

Canva

WordPress

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Adobe Photoshop

Illustrator

Canva

WordPress

Job description

Science News Media Group seeks an innovative Social Media Producer to help build new audiences for our award-winning science journalism that we have produced for over a century. This role includes working with colleagues to develop a social media strategy and executing it by developing social content based on Science News Media Group coverage. The role will manage posts throughout the day on: Facebook; Twitter/X; Instagram; Threads; Bluesky; Reddit; YouTube and TikTok. The Social Media Producer will also play a key role in advancing other digital news initiatives, such as our weekly newsletters.

The Social Media Producer will create daily social media content and collaborate with other members of the digital team, the newsroom and the design team to define our social strategy. The ideal candidate will have a broad understanding of the larger ecosystem of social media, including new and upcoming platforms, and will identify opportunities for us to innovate and grow our social media presence and audiences.

Science News Media Group is an editorially independent nonprofit news organization that has been covering news of science, medicine and technology for the general public since 1921. The magazine has a circulation of more than 120,000, and we draw 10 million unique visitors a year to sciencenews.org. Science News consistently ranks as the most reliable and least biased science news organization in Ad Fontes Media’s biannual analysis. We also publish Science News Explores, a website and print magazine that connects younger people and educators with science.

Our parent nonprofit Society for Science is dedicated to expanding scientific literacy, access to STEM education and public understanding of scientific research. As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) membership organization, the Society promotes the understanding and appreciation of science and the vital role it plays in human advancement: to inform, educate, and inspire. Beyond journalism, the Society is best known for its world class science research competitions and outreach and equity STEM Programs founded to make sure that every young person can strive to become an engineer or scientist.

You’ll be joining a group of creative, inquisitive people who come to science journalism from a diversity of backgrounds, education and experiences, and who are passionate about our work as independent nonprofit journalists.

Job Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the News Team to create accurate social media copy and curate original content produced by writers for social media channels to ensure it matches both the Science News voice and the style of each platform to help us expand the audience for our stories
• Schedule content throughout the day using platforms such as Hootsuite
• Collaborate with the Design Team to ensure that visuals promote the Science News brand and enhance visual storytelling
• Monitor and engage with SNMG readers on a variety of social platforms and outlets
• Use SNMG’s reach to develop lasting relationships with followers, and develop strategies to increase engagement
• Collaborate with the Design Team members to imagine and enact new strategies for both entrenched and emerging social platforms
• Manage and produce newsletters
• Develop, test and execute new products
• Identify trending stories that are generating excitement and conversation on various social platforms that could have a science lens
• Use social media metrics such as CTR and impressions to contribute an informed perspective to conversations about our social media strategy
• Use social listening tools to contribute to the story pitch process
• Serve as backup producer of images, video and graphics for social media platforms
• Lead experiments to grow our social media audience
• Convey best practices for social media curation for our journalists on their personal profiles
• Other responsibilities that may emerge in the constantly changing digital landscape

Qualifications

• Expertise in copy-writing for and producing social media
• Strong work ethic and time management skills
• Knowledge of the ethics and standards of a news organization
• Organization and experience prioritizing across multiple projects
• Exceptional communications skills
• Ability to develop rapport with colleagues, vendors and clients
• Experience in Adobe Suite products; Photoshop and Illustrator preferred
• Experience in Canva and other graphic design software preferred
• Interest in and familiarity with recent developments in science

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• Experience managing social media feeds
• Excellent copy-writing/editing skills, with an emphasis on social media writing
• Knowledge of WordPress

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee usually works in an office setting. Our office is located in Washington, D.C. near the Dupont Circle and Farragut North Metro stations. The Society is operating on a hybrid work schedule, with employees required to work from the office at least 2 days a week. Employees have the option of working remotely for up to 6 weeks a year.

Position Type and Expected Hours

This is a full-time, exempt position with a 37.5-hour work week. Normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM Eastern, with core hours of 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Eastern. Note that this position is part of the Science News Media Guild bargaining unit.