Social Media Editor (5-month contract)

Application Instructions

Please list all professional experience and explain any gaps in employment history. All of your application materials, which may include PDF files of work samples and/or links to audio, video, photography or graphics, must be uploaded to the field labeled Resume/Cover Letter/Work Samples to be considered for the position.

Job Description

The Washington Post has an immediate opening for a social media editor to join our Audience team on a five-month contract.

This role requires a diverse skillset that involves creative ideation, news judgment, copy editing, photo/video editing and curation. The strongest candidates will be equally comfortable with breaking news, planned events, personality-driven series and longer-timeline projects. They should have a strong grasp of tactics to drive engagement and referrals, as well as ability to interpret and make decisions based on social media performance data. We’re looking for someone who writes sharp headlines targeted toward specific audiences, has a command of voice and tone on social media and can bring a story to life off-platform.  
 

Key Responsibilities:  

• Assist in shaping, creating, and distributing social content across Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, X, Reddit, BlueSky, Threads, LinkedIn and other platforms. 

• Ideate, create and post content from across a diverse mix of coverage topics to drive audience growth and engagement. 

• Experiment with engagement and growth tactics across platforms and accounts. 

• Collaborate with coverage teams to plan and create content and report performance insights back to editorial partners. 

• Use social performance data to inform content decisions on a daily basis. 

• Follow The Washington Post standards of practice with an adherence to news and reporting guidelines. 

Preferred Qualifications:  

• 2+ years of experience in social media or related roles, preferably in a newsroom or media company. 

• News judgment and grasp of journalistic standards, especially in breaking news moments. 

• Experience with writing, photo editing, graphic design and video editing for social platforms. 

• Understanding of how to grow audiences by leveraging social algorithms and performance data. 

• Ability to interpret social data to inform content decisions and report on performance. 

• Strong communication and organization skills. 

• Adaptability in the face of changing social algorithms and news industry landscapes. 

We will consider strong candidates who meet most but not all the qualifications above.  
 
This position is based in our Washington D.C., newsroom and may require some night and/or weekend work.
 
Interested candidates should upload a resume to our jobs portal and may include a cover letter to tell us about other skills and experience that you think would be valuable for this role. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled, but those received by April 27 will be prioritized. Cover letters should be addressed to Social Media Director Keely Diven. 
 
The pay range for this contract role is between $6,996 and $9,200 USD per month. The actual monthly rate of pay within this range will depend on individual skills, experience and qualifications as they relate to specific job requirements.

The Post strives to provide its readers with high-quality, trustworthy news and information while constantly innovating. That mission is best served by a diverse, multi-generational workforce with varied life experiences and perspectives. All cultures and backgrounds are welcomed. 

Ever wondered if what you are doing will Impact Tomorrow? At The Washington Post, every employee shapes the way we deliver the news. Find the career that’s right for you

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