Social Strategy Manager

University of Washington; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

KUOW Puget Sound Public Radio in Seattle seeks a Social Strategy Manager to lead the long-term vision and growth of KUOW's social media presence. You will align with editorial, digital, and creative teams to optimize content, establish publishing frameworks, and set performance benchmarks that maximize audience impact.

The role requires evening/weekend flexibility and a hybrid work arrangement at KUOW's University District studio.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a related field.
• 3+ years leading social media strategy for a business, non-profit, or large organization.
• Experience developing enterprise-level social media strategies aligned to goals and brand objectives.
• Experience managing social media operations including content planning and multi-platform distribution.

Responsibilities

• Develop, lead, and evolve KUOW's social media and audience growth strategy across platforms.
• Define platform-specific best practices for captions, graphics, and engagement tactics.
• Collaborate with editors, reporters, and designers to create social-first content.
• Publish social content, including captions and thumbnails, with light video editing for distribution.
• Monitor audience feedback and performance data to inform strategy and improvements.

Skills

Social media strategy

Audience growth

Analytics

Content strategy

Education

Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, Digital Media, Marketing, or related field

Tools

Social media analytics tools

Job description

Hybrid (telework 3 days or more per week)

Seattle, WA

Full time

REQ-0000138177

Job Description

KUOW has an outstanding opportunity for a Social Strategy Manager to join their team.

About this Opportunity

Reporting to the Director of Marketing, the Social Strategy Manager leads the long-term vision, strategy, growth, and evolution of the organization's social media presence. This role develops and drives audience-centered strategies that expand KUOW's reach, deepen engagement, strengthen audience loyalty, and advance the organization's mission across established and emerging social platforms. As KUOW's social media leader, the Social Strategy Manager defines how KUOW's journalism is distributed and presented across social channels, establishing publishing strategies, content frameworks, engagement approaches, and performance benchmarks that maximize audience impact. The Strategist collaborates closely with editorial, digital, and creative teams to ensure content is optimized for platform success while reflecting KUOW's editorial, brand, and accessibility standards.

This position is based at KUOW’s University District studio and is suitable for hybrid telework. Duties may occasionally require evening and weekend work.

Key Responsibilities

Social Media Strategy, Audience Growth, and Innovation (35%)

• 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 a culture of innovation, experimentation, accountability, and continuous improvement within the social media function.

Content Strategy, Publishing, and Creative Execution (35%)

• Lead KUOW's social publishing strategy, including content prioritization, scheduling, cadence, platform selection, and distribution plans.

• Monitor and maintain KUOW’s continuous presence across all active channels, including managing post automations and a publishing calendar of original content.

• Define platform-specific best practices for content packaging, including captions, headlines, graphics, videos, accessibility, calls to action, and audience engagement tactics.

• Determine the most 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 compelling social-first content that advances audience and editorial goals.

• Create and publish social media content, including writing captions, creating thumbnails, developing graphics within established templates, and performing light video editing for platform-specific distribution.

• Review content and creative assets, providing feedback and direction to ensure they meet strategic objectives and brand expectations.

• Support social media coverage of breaking news, major events, fundraising campaigns, and enterprise journalism as needed.

Audience Engagement, Analytics, and Performance (25%)

• Develop strategies that 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, translating data into actionable recommendations for improving audience outcomes.

• Communicate results, insights, and emerging opportunities to newsroom leadership and key stakeholders.

Other Duties as Assigned (5%)

Required Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity your application must demonstrate you meet both the minimum qualifications and additional qualifications listed below. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants who do not meet these qualifications WILL NOT be forwarded to the Hiring Department.

• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, Digital Media, Marketing, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• 3+ years of experience leading social media strategy for a business, non-profit, or large organization, digital publishing, audience development, or a related field.

• Proven experience developing and executing enterprise-level social media strategies aligned to 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 that aligns 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.

Working Conditions

• Duties may occasionally require evening and weekend work when necessary to meet critical deadlines.

• Ability to travel when necessary to capture video footage with KUOW’s marketing or editorial teams

• Cubicle/Open workspace environment which may result in additional or higher levels of noise and visual distractions

About the Team

KUOW Puget Sound Public Radio is Seattle’s NPR news station. We are an independent, nonprofit news organization producing award-winning journalism, podcasts and events in service to the 3.9 million people in our coverage area. As a self-sustaining service of the University of Washington, our mission is to create and serve a more informed public with a vision to broaden conversations and deepen understanding. The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81. (https://policy.uw.edu/directory/po/executive-orders/eo-81-prohibiting-discrimination-harassment-and-sexual-misconduct/)

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$84,996.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$99,000.00 annual

Other Compensation:

-

Benefits:

For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/

Shift:

First Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular?

This is a regular position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

100.00%

Union/Bargaining Unit:

Not Applicable

About the UW

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Our Commitment

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81 (https://policy.uw.edu/directory/po/executive-orders/eo-81-prohibiting-discrimination-harassment-and-sexual-misconduct/) .

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [e-mail] .

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law (https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=28B.112.080) .

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University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.