Social Media Strategist (Top Secret cleared)

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

Job summary

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 in Washington, DC.

The strategist will plan, execute, and optimize social media initiatives across platforms, working with government and marketing teams to

Qualifications

• Active Top Secret (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 (LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube).
• Create, schedule, and publish content in alignment with brand guidelines, accessibility standards, and federal compliance requirements.
• Collaborate onsite with government stakeholders and cross-functional teams 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.

Skills

Social media management

Communication skills

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, public relations, or related field

Tools

Sprout Social

Hootsuite

MeltWater

Brandwatch

Job description

The Company At ICF Next

The Company At ICF Next, we are driven by the opportunity to solve complex challenges that matter. Our teams combine expertise in science, technology, analytics, and program management to help government clients tackle critical national priorities. We are fearless in exploring new 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 will operate in a highly collaborative environment, working closely with government stakeholders and integrated marketing teams to plan, execute, and optimize social media initiatives. The work aligns to a 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 performed on site in a secure federal environment in Washington, D.C. Limited telework may be authorized only as permitted by 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) 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

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 their expertise and collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals. For more information, please read ourEEO 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 with sincerely held religious beliefs, in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation, please [e-mail] we will be happy to assist. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations. Read more aboutworkplacediscriminationrights or our benefit offerings which are included in theTransparency in (Benefits) Coverage Act.

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 or assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is not permitted. This policy is in place to maintain the integrity and authenticity of the interview process. However, we understand that some candidates may require accommodation that involves the use of AI. If such an accommodation is needed, candidates are instructed to contact us in advance [e-mail]. We are dedicated to providing the 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)

About ICF

ICF is a global consulting and technology services company with approximately 9,000 employees, but we are not your typical consultants. At ICF, business analysts and policy specialists work together with digital strategists, data scientists and creatives. We combine unmatched industry expertise with cutting-edge engagement capabilities to help organizations solve their most complex challenges. Since 1969, public and private sector clients have worked with ICF to navigate change and shape the future. Learn more at icf.com.