Social Media Manager Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Position Summary

Sightline Media Group (a leading publisher in defense, government, and technology news) and Sunset Publishing (a preeminent voice in Western lifestyle) are seeking a creative, strategic, and data-driven Social Media Manager to lead and elevate their combined social presence across all major platforms.

The ideal candidate possesses a strong understanding of the digital media landscape, a proven track record of building and engaging diverse online communities, and expertise in business and technology news. This role is crucial for executing a cohesive, multi-platform content strategy that drives brand awareness, audience growth, engagement, and loyalty for both distinct media brands.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Management

Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive, cohesive social media strategy aligned with both Sightline Media Group's and Sunset Publishing's distinct editorial and business objectives.

Manage and grow all official social media accounts across major platforms, including X, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and emerging channels.

Develop and maintain a robust content calendar to ensure consistent, timely, and strategic posting across all accounts.

Manage paid social media campaigns, including audience targeting, execution, optimization, and budget stewardship, as needed.

Content Production & Distribution

Source, produce, edit, and distribute compelling, platform-specific content-including text, images, short-form video, audiograms, and infographics-that translates complex topics (defense, technology, business) into accessible and engaging formats.

Collaborate closely with editorial, video, marketing, and product teams to amplify priority stories, investigative projects, and company initiatives.

Partner with Sightline's sister media brands to co-create, coordinate, and cross-distribute content, maximizing reach and impact across multiple publisher networks.

Analytics & Community

Track and analyze social media performance metrics to identify key trends, measure ROI, optimize content, and inform future strategic planning.

Monitor social channels for breaking news, trending conversations, competitive activity, and audience feedback. Respond promptly and professionally to foster a healthy online community.

Stay current on emerging social media trends, formats, tools, and best practices to ensure both brands remain at the forefront of digital innovation.

Identify and engage with key opinion leaders, influencers, and industry analysts in the relevant business, defense, and technology sectors to expand credibility and audience reach.

Required Qualifications & Skills

Education & Experience

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, or a related field.

3-5 years of professional social media management experience, preferably within a news organization or complex business/tech-focused media environment.

Demonstrated success in implementing strategies that result in measurable growth and high engagement rates across multiple social platforms.

Technical & Creative Proficiency

Exceptional writing, editing, and communication skills, with a strong command of grammar, tone, and the ability to adapt voice for platform-specific audiences.

Proficiency with social media management and analytics tools (e.g., Sprout Social, Hootsuite, CrowdTangle, native platform analytics).

Experience with video editing software (e.g., Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro) and graphic design tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Photoshop) is strongly preferred.

Organizational & Sector Knowledge

Strong understanding of the business, technology, and/or defense sectors, with the ability to translate complex topics into engaging, social-friendly formats.

Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven newsroom environment and efficiently manage multiple projects and competing priorities simultaneously.

In compliance with Washington, D.C. pay transparency law, the salary range for this role is $80,000-$100,000 annually. This range reflects the minimum and maximum base compensation the company reasonably expects to pay at the time of posting and may vary based on experience, skills, and qualifications.