Social Media Strategist (Top Secret cleared)

ICF; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 81,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

ICF Next seeks a Social Media Strategist to support a high-visibility federal client in national security recruitment marketing and employer branding. This is a fully onsite role requiring close collaboration with client stakeholders in a secure government environment.

The strategist will plan, execute, and optimize data-driven social media initiatives across LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, aligning with broader campaigns and evolving KPI reporting.

Qualifications

• Active TS clearance required.
• Ability to work onsite full-time in Washington, DC.
• U.S. citizenship required.
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, public relations, or related field.
• 3+ years of professional experience managing organizational or brand social media accounts.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute social media strategies that support national recruitment, hiring campaigns, and employer branding efforts.
• Plan and manage editorial calendars and content pipelines across platforms.
• Create, schedule, and publish content in alignment with brand guidelines and federal compliance.
• Collaborate onsite with government stakeholders and cross-functional teams to ensure message alignment.
• Monitor social channels for engagement and risks; recommend proactive responses.
• Conduct social listening and trend analysis to inform campaigns and audience targeting.
• Analyze performance metrics and contribute to KPI reporting and optimization.
• Support real-time content execution and rapid-turnaround deliverables.
• Develop social media toolkits with captions, alt text, and platform guidance.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders for consistent communications.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Multi-tasking

Attention to detail

Strategic thinking

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, PR, or related field

Tools

Sprout Social

Hootsuite

Meltwater

Brandwatch

Job description

The Company

At ICF Next, we are driven by the opportunity to solve complex challenges that matter. Our teams combineexpertisein science, technology, analytics, and program management to help government clients tackle critical national priorities. We are fearless in exploringnew ideas, relentless in delivering results for our clients, and committed to making a meaningful impact. We bring together strategists, creatives, technologists, and communicators to deliver integrated marketing and recruitment solutions that strengthen mission-driven organizations.

The Work

ICF Next is seeking a Social Media Strategist to support a high-visibility federal client within the national security space, focused on large-scale recruitment marketing and employer branding initiatives.This is a fully onsite role within a secure government environment requiring close, day-to-day collaboration with client stakeholders. The role supports the execution of data-driven social media strategies that attract high-quality candidates and strengthen the client’s employer brand across digital platforms.

The strategist willoperatein a highly collaborative environment, working closely with government stakeholders and integrated marketing teams to plan, execute, andoptimizesocial media initiatives. The work alignstoa broader recruitment marketing program that includes campaign development, analytics, content strategy, and KPI-driven optimization, requiring both strategic thinking and hands-on execution.

Job Location:

All work is performedon sitein a secure federal environmentin Washington,D.C.Limited telework may be authorized only aspermittedby the client and contract requirements.

What You Will Do

• Develop and execute social media strategies that support national recruitment, hiring campaigns, and employer branding efforts
• Plan and manage editorial calendars and content pipelines across platforms (LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube)
• Create, schedule, and publish content in alignment with brand guidelines, accessibility standards (Section 508), and federal compliance requirements
• Collaborate onsite with government stakeholders and cross-functional teams (creative, analytics, paid media, program leadership) to ensure message alignment and approval workflows
• Monitor social media channels for engagement, sentiment, and emerging risks, and recommend proactive responses
• Conduct social listening and trend analysis to inform messaging, campaigns, and audience targeting strategies
• Analyze performance metrics (reach, engagement, conversions, sentiment) and contribute to KPI reporting and optimization efforts
• Support real-time and event-based content execution, including rapid-turnaround deliverables
• Develop social media toolkits, including captions, alt text, creative direction, and platform-specific guidance
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure consistency across all public-facing communications and channels

Basic Qualifications

• Active Top Secret (TS) clearancerequired
• Ability to work onsite full-time in Washington, DC
• U.S. citizenshiprequired
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, public relations, or related field
• 3+ years of professional experience managing organizational or brand social media accounts

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting federal government or public-sector communications programs
• Familiarity with recruitment marketing, employer branding, or talent acquisition campaigns
• Experience using social media management and analytics tools (e.g., Sprout Social, Hootsuite, Meltwater,Brandwatch)
• Experience supporting data-driven optimization and KPI reporting environments
• Familiarity with multi-channel campaign integration (paid, owned, earned media)

Professional Skills

• Strong organizational and coordination skills across multiple stakeholders and workstreams
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality
• Ability to synthesize information and contribute to strategic decision-making
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work across interdisciplinary teams

Working at ICF

ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider, but we’re not your typical consultants. We combine unmatched expertise with cutting-edge technology to help clients solve their most complex challenges, navigate change, and shape the future.

We can only solve the world’s toughest challenges by building a workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer.Together, our employees are empowered to share theirexpertiseand collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals. For more information, please read our EEO policy.

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Reasonable Accommodations are available, including, but not limited to, for disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals withsincerely heldreligious beliefs, in all phases of the application and employment process. To requestan accommodation,please email [e-mail] we will be happy toassist. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extentrequiredto provide needed reasonable accommodations.

Read more aboutworkplacediscriminationrightsor our benefit offerings which are included in the Transparency in (Benefits) CoverageAct.

Candidate AI Usage Policy

At ICF, we are committed to ensuring a fair interview process for all candidates based on their own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate orassistwith responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is notpermitted. This policy is in place tomaintainthe integrity and authenticity of the interview process.

However, we understand that some candidates may require accommodationthat involves the use of AI. Ifsuch anaccommodation is needed, candidates are instructed to contact us in advance at [e-mail]. Weare dedicated to providingthe necessary support to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed.

Pay Range

- There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position.

The pay range for this position based on full-time employment is:

$81,147.00 - $137,949.00

DC Client Office (DC88)