Social Media & Community Engagement Coordinator

Job Description

Job Description

OVERVIEW

Japan Society seeks a Social Media & Community Engagement Coordinator to serve as the digital and community connective tissue between the institution and its growing audience. Operating with the Marketing Department, this role drives visibility, brand engagement, and external relationship-building across digital platforms, community partners, and media outlets.

The ideal candidate is a sharp, social-native communicator and strong writer with genuine cultural curiosity, short-form video agility, and the operational capability to balance content creation with community outreach in a high-velocity nonprofit environment.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Social Media Management & Content Strategy

• Channel Ownership: Manage day-to-day execution across core platforms (Instagram, LinkedIn) and secondary/emerging channels (Facebook, Bluesky, X, YouTube, TikTok). Handle scheduling, publishing, community moderation, and real-time coverage during evening and weekend events.
• Content Development: Collaborate across programming verticals to build and maintain the editorial calendar. Create personality-driven, behind-the-scenes content—including educational insights on Japanese culture, staff/member spotlights, and interactive features—to bring Japan Society’s mission to life beyond standard event promotion.
• Community Moderation: Monitor engagement, respond to comments and direct messages in alignment with Japan Society’s brand voice, and escalate sensitive inquiries appropriately.
• Analytics & Performance Tracking: Track core engagement metrics, synthesize monthly performance trends, and identify strategic growth opportunities across platforms.

2. Community Outreach & Influencer Relations

• Audience Development: Build and maintain active relationships with Japanese-American community organizations, cultural partners, educational institutions, and media contacts.
• Creator & Influencer Management: Identify, cultivate, and manage partnerships with local creators and influencers whose audiences align with Japan Society programming. Coordinate complimentary access, content guidelines, coverage expectations, and ROI tracking.
• Co-Promotions: Pursue cross-promotional partnerships, audience-sharing initiatives, and joint community collaborations to expand institutional reach.
• Public Relations Support: Assist the Marketing Director and external PR partners in coordinating press contacts and key stakeholder outreach.

3. Marketing & Campaign Execution

• Cross-Channel Support: Assist the Marketing Manager with email campaign coordination, project tracking, interdepartmental workflows, and basic paid social boosting/setup.
• Editorial & Copywriting: Draft website copy, program recaps, and feature articles in coordination with the Web Manager. Provide copy editing support across social, email, and marketing collateral to maintain brand consistency.
• Team Backup: Provide operational coverage for the Marketing Manager and Marketing Director during peak event cycles and absences.

REQUIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Exceptional Communication: Outstanding written skills—clear, compelling, and adaptable across diverse digital channels and audiences.
• Digital & Video Agility: Demonstrated proficiency with short-form video editing tools (CapCut or equivalent) and direct experience growing social channels for an organization or brand (portfolio/metrics required).
• Platform Fluency: Familiarity with social scheduling, monitoring, and analytics tools (e.g., Later, Sprout Social, Meltwater, Hootsuite, or Rella).
• Trend & Cultural Sensitivity: Up-to-date on digital content trends with the ability to translate momentum into relevant institutional storytelling.
• Project Management: Highly organized with the operational discipline to manage competing deadlines and execute under live event conditions.

PREFERRED BACKGROUND

• 2+ years of professional experience in social media, communications, PR, or community engagement, ideally within a cultural institution, museum, arts organization, or nonprofit.
• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, or equivalent practical experience.
• Cultural fluency and genuine interest in Japanese culture, U.S.–Japan relations, or the broader Asian-American cultural ecosystem.
• Japanese language proficiency (written or spoken) is a plus, but not required.

WORK LOCATION & SCHEDULE

• Status: Full-Time, Exempt
• Location: New York, NY (In-Person / Office-Based)
• Work Arrangement: Hybrid policy requiring in-office presence Tuesday through Thursday (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM), with remote work permitted on Mondays and Fridays. Occasional evening and weekend hours required for live event coverage.
• Work Authorization: Candidates must have full legal authorization to work in the United States. Japan Society cannot provide visa sponsorship for this position.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Salary Range: $62,000-$67,000 commensurate with experience.
• Retirement Plan: Outstanding 10% employer contribution to your 403(b) account upon eligibility (no employee match required).
• Paid Time Off: 15 vacation days, 10 sick days, 11 paid holidays, plus paid Summer Fridays (July and August).
• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical (Oxford), dental (Guardian), and vision (VSP) coverage.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

To apply, please submit your resume, cover letter, and links to your portfolio/work samples (PDF or website URL).

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.