Creator and Social Media Strategy Manager

Chemistry shapes everything. And in today's world, social media platforms play a powerful role in shaping how people understand science and its impact on society.

The American Chemical Society (ACS) is hiring a leader to build and scale a modern social media strategy in its communications ecosystem. The social media strategy managerwill serve as a trusted thought partner to ACS leadership, bringing forward insights and recommendations that shape ACS' engagement, influence, and reputational risk management on social media platforms. This role owns the transformation of ACS' social media presence, moving from brand management to audience-first, platform-specific storytelling that drives brand credibility and trust in science and makes ACS an influential voice in public scientific discourse.

This leader will define and execute ACS' content creator strategy; establish how partnerships are built with influential voices; and guide how ACS shows up in the social ecosystem with its mission and vision. Working closely with media relations, corporate communications, crisis communications, and marketing teams, the strategist will set direction, lead experimentation, and translate trends and insights into high-impact programs. The role includes direct management and development of a team of social media specialists, ensuring strategy and brand reputation is executed with excellence and consistency.

The ideal candidate is a confident, creative strategist with deep knowledge of the social media landscape and experienced in content creator partnerships. The candidate will demonstrate strong judgment and the ability to lead through influence and collaboration. They are comfortable challenging assumptions, making data driven decisions, and operating with accountability in a complex organization. A background in chemistry or science is a plus but not required. Occasional travel is expected.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership across flagship ACS social platforms (e.g., LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube Shorts, BlueSky) and for the launch and growth of new initiatives and platform-specific storytelling approaches (e.g. TikTok). Enable ACS to enter new and emerging digital platforms for community engagement.

• Develop and execute a content creator partnership roadmap, including scalable frameworks for identifying and engaging creators, a pilot-to-scale model, and guidance to internal teams on creator-driven approaches that align with brand integrity.

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of social media specialists, setting priorities, providing strategic direction, and ensuring high-quality execution aligned with ACS goals.

• Establish processes and select tools for performance measurement, including the use of analytics, sentiment analysis, and social listening to inform decisions, optimize strategy, and communicate insights on creator and platform impact.

• Monitor trends, cultural moments, and current events to translate timely opportunities into creative, on-brand content executions.

• Guide leadership with crisis response plans on different social media platforms that prevent reputational harm to ACS.

• Collaborate with and advise leaders and teams across the organization to deliver integrated campaigns, consistent messaging, and effective brand ambassadorship in social media spaces.Assist executive leaders with online presence on different platforms.

Qualifications

• 9+ years of experience in social media strategy or related fields, with fluency in social platforms, audience behavior, evolving trends, and a proven ability to shape brand perception in digital environments.

• 5+ years of experience managing teams in a complex or matrixed environment and advising executives on social media best practices.

• Knows how to partner with creative, marketing, and editorial teams to bring strategy to life through content and campaigns.

• Has strong strategic judgment and confidence making data-informed decisions.

• Has led shifts in strategy, voice, or platform approach for established brands or organizations.

• Experienced in leading brands or organizations through online reputational crisis response plans.

• Fluency with social analytics, social listening, and media monitoring tools; ability to translate data into narrative insights.

• Excellent writing and editing skills; ability to craft compelling, platform-appropriate narratives for diverse audiences.

• Strong collaboration, leadership, and stakeholder management skills in complex or matrixed organizations.

• Highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives in a fast-paced environment.

This role is based in our Washington, DC office. A reasonable rate of compensation for this position is $125,000-$140,000 per year. ACS employees work a hybrid schedule, consisting of working onsite two days per work week, as decided by functional area. The balance of the week is open to working remotely, though employees are always welcome onsite each day if they choose.

ACS currently provides the following benefits for this position: paid vacation leave, paid sick leave, paid holidays, health insurance, flexible spending account or health care savings account, dental insurance, life insurance, vision insurance, retirement benefits, short- and long-term disability, and 4-week work from anywhere; each benefit is subject to the terms of the applicable program. Additional benefits may apply based on skills, experience, and location.

Any actual offer of employment, reflecting the total compensation package and benefits, will be made in the sole discretion of ACS. ACS reserves the right to amend or modify its employment benefits and compensation structure at any time.