Social Media Strategist

FLSA STATUS: ExemptSALARY RANGE: $60,000LOCATION: Remote w/ 20% travel within the Chicagoland AreaABOUT THE JOBThe Social Media Strategist leads high-profile hospitality partner accounts while developing best-in-class social marketing campaigns for the agency's portfolio of clients. Taking a "story first" approach, this role operationalizes strategy across platforms, oversees content quality and community engagement, collaborates on asset production, and analyzes performance data to drive growth and brand engagement. RESPONSIBILITIESStrategy & Account Leadership Serve as account lead on 3+ partner accounts within the agency's client portfolio, focusing on high-profile hospitality clients. Challenge, evolve, and scale content strategies across the department and its 60+ client partners. Review and approve team strategies across accounts to ensure output aligns with high-level client brand goals. Develop course-correcting action plans and "Recovery Plan" strategies with leadership to optimize performance and strengthen partner relationships during challenges. Implement $A/B$ testing in content strategy and paid social campaigns, applying key insights to refine performance. Content Creation, Engagement & Innovation Oversee storytelling quality, social copy, content quality, and process efficiency across platforms. Develop and execute yearly content plans aligned with brand storytelling and social metric KPIs. Develop and produce social media assets independently, with clients/creators, or in collaboration with the agency's Studio team. Manage community interactions by actively engaging social audiences to build loyalty and resolve issues. Build collaborative partnerships by maintaining lists of influential entities, local businesses, and community groups for co-marketing opportunities. Partner with the influencer team to maintain targeted creator lists and execute regular influencer activations. Forecast emerging social trends, channels, AI tools, and content types to drive adoption across client campaigns. Analytics, Culture & Operations Collect, synthesize, and track social media metrics (YTD goals, platform analytics) to report actionable insights to leadership and client stakeholders. Display initiative and a leadership mindset to boost team productivity, maintain high morale, and minimize burnout. Participate in committee initiatives, workflow/tool trainings (e.g., AI and design tools), and team-building efforts. Create a safe space for account teams to share challenges, develop recovery strategies, and celebrate wins. QUALIFICATIONSExperience & Technical Expertise Proven experience in social media marketing and account leadership, ideally managing multiple high-profile accounts within the hospitality, food, culture, or travel sectors. Expert-level understanding of major social media platforms, latest tools, emerging trends, and content production processes. Demonstrated experience with social media measurement, YTD performance tracking, platform analytics, and $A/B$ testing methodologies. Experience executing influencer marketing campaigns and managing strategic community/creator partnerships. Leadership & Soft SkillsStrong background in brand storytelling, social copywriting, and creative assessment of content calendars and portfolios. Proven capability to lead cross-functional account teams, provide developmental feedback, and maintain poise during crisis management ("Account Recovery"). High cultural awareness with a deep passion for food, travel, hospitality, and local community dynamics. Excellent communication and presentation skills to deliver data-informed performance reports to partners and agency leadership.