Social Media Editor

About Chicago Public Media

Chicago Public Media is home to WBEZ, Chicago’s NPR news source and one of the largest and most respected public media stations in the country, as well as urban alternative music station, Vocalo. The organization serves the community with fact-based, objective news and information. WBEZ’s award-winning journalists ask tough questions, dig deep for answers and expose truths that spark change and foster understanding. In addition to its local and national news programming, WBEZ Chicago is home to a growing portfolio of popular podcasts, including the “Making” series of Making Beyoncé, Making Obama and Making Oprah; an investigative podcast series, Motive; 16 Shots: A podcast about the fatal police shooting of Laquan McDonald; Nerdette; and Curious City. WBEZ Chicago has a legacy of innovation as the birthplace of nationally acclaimed programs such as This American Life, and Wait Wait...Don’t Tell Me! and the ground-breaking podcast, Serial. 

The Opportunity

Chicago Public Media is seeking a creative, audience-minded social media editor to join our multiplatform news team during an exciting period of transformation in our Chicago newsroom. 

The social media editor will manage social distribution of our news content, while also developing new approaches to social storytelling that bring our wide range of news, music, and cultural reporting to wider audiences. The ideal candidate will also have solid expertise building an engaged and loyal audience — and the ability to identify emerging trends in news and digital technology that will help inform and develop our growing newsroom.

A commitment to accuracy and excellence defines the work we do at WBEZ; as such, the successful candidate will have strong news judgment, writing and editing skills and work effectively under deadline. In this role, you will be required to develop editorial strategies, track user engagement and activity, and ensure consistency in Chicago Public Media’s digital tone and image. The social media editor must balance the nuances of daily and long-term in-depth features in digital and broadcast, in addition to a news portfolio that includes podcasting and smart speakers. 

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Create, drive, and execute Chicago Public Media’s social media strategy to support the organization’s efforts to reach more Chicagoans where they are.
• Manage editorial social media accounts to increase reach and engagement.
• Create an authentic, engaging social voice that exemplifies CPM’s standards.
• Edit sensitive content for clarity, fairness, legality, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and style.
• Guide journalists across the organization on best practices and new opportunities on social media platforms.
• Develop editorial calendars and timely content plans for day-to-day coverage across social.
• Be our social media expert during live events (including forums and live streaming).
• Monitor trending topics and breaking news through social media and other tools.
• Review and interpret social analytics to measure and guide the effectiveness of editorial strategies and the performance of key projects.
• Develop and manage a process for providing actionable feedback to the content teams on audience engagement with social media content.
• Keep abreast of industry and consumer trends, advancements in technology, and new social media platforms and tools.
• Collaborate with the marketing team to brainstorm and define promotion of other content initiatives. 

Minimum Skills & Qualifications:

• Minimum 3-years’ experience working within a newsroom.
• Strong news judgment, expert written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to concisely explain complicated news story on social platforms.
• Experience using performance data in real time and for future editorial planning.
• Ability to work in collaborative, team environment.
• Familiarity with all major social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube.

Working at Chicago Public Media

At Chicago Public Media, we care deeply about our employees as we know attracting, developing, and growing talent is key to our success and enhancing our impact.  Our culture is one where collaboration, ideas, and innovation are encouraged.  We value colleagues who will enhance our culture by bringing new ideas, diverse experiences, and talents to our dynamic workplace.

Chicago Public Media’s dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion is reflective across our brands, WBEZ 91.5 FM and Vocalo 91.1 FM, in our staff and in our work.  We are fully focused on equality of opportunity and believe deeply in diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin, experience, and all other fascinating characteristics that make us different.

At Chicago Public Media we believe dedication to a great workplace includes supporting our employees and their families. As a result, we provide a broad and generous benefits package for you at hire and in the years to come. Our benefits include:

•  6 weeks fully paid family leave
•  High quality Medical, Dental, and Vision plans at an affordable cost
•  A 403(b)retirement plan with a company match

Generous paid time off, including starting with 3 weeks’ vacation and 4 personal days.

This position is represented by SAG-AFTRA.

Due to current COVID restrictions, you must be able to work remotely at your own designated location with Internet access and you must be willing and able to work at our Navy Pier offices, if needed. Right now, most of our staff is working remotely.

The essential functions described above are not all-inclusive and may change periodically to meet the needs of Chicago Public Media (CPM). The information contained in this job description is not intended to create any contractual or other legal commitment. Chicago Public Media may change the content or format of this job at any time in its sole and exclusive discretion without notice.

Chicago Public Media is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we actively seek and welcome people from all backgrounds, orientations, and life experiences to join our team.