Location: NYC | Hybrid | Full Time

Note: Please apply only if you're currently living in the New York City area.

Salary: $50,000 - $60,000 starting (with structured 90-day review and path to pay increases)

Welcome to where digital conversations spark real-world connections. We're searching for a Social Media Strategist who gets that social isn't just about posting; it's about leading conversations that matter in the creative community. If you naturally think three steps ahead, understand the difference between content strategy and content marketing, and believe our digital presence should feel as vibrant as our IRL events, we should talk. This is your invitation to help shape how a growing agency shows up in the world, both online and off.

Here's who we picture thriving in this role: You're at that exciting point in your career where you've built a solid foundation with 1-3 years of creating content that connects, and now you're ready for more. More ownership, more strategic input, more chances to see your ideas come to life. You've proven you can execute, but what you really want is to help shape the vision. If you've been in roles where you've thought "I wish I could..." or "What if we tried..." this is your chance to actually do those things. We want someone who's ready to stretch, experiment, and have real agency in their work.

Most importantly? You care deeply about who you work with, not just where you work or what you do. The right team culture matters as much to you as the role itself.

Let's Be Real Upfront

This role might NOT be for you if:

You need detailed instructions for every task
You're looking for corporate structure and established hierarchies
You want your salary to be the main reason you show up each day (we pay fairly, but if the money is the only motivator, you'll burn out here)
You prefer executing someone else's vision over co-creating one
"That's not my job" is part of your vocabulary

If this doesn't deter you – read on

What You'll Be Doing

You'll be the architect of our social presence, but more importantly, you'll be a key voice in how we engage with and contribute to the creative industry. This isn't about waiting for briefs. It's about seeing opportunities and bringing ideas to the table. Expect your days to include:

Leading our social-first strategy across Instagram, LinkedIn, and emerging platforms, understanding how each conversation ladders up to our broader content strategy (the why) not just our content marketing (the what).
Creating content that captures our vibe, whether that's transforming the energy of our event series into scroll-stopping posts or finding ways to make our digital presence feel as warm and genuine as meeting us in person.
Building and nurturing our creative community, not just managing it. You'll foster real relationships, spark meaningful discussions, and make our followers feel like they're part of something bigger.
Translating IRL magic into digital stories, attending our events and industry gatherings to capture not just what happened, but why it mattered and how it moves our community forward.
Thinking strategically about content ecosystems, understanding how our bi-weekly newsletter, social presence, and in-person experiences create a cohesive narrative that serves our community first (knowing this naturally drives business results).
Bringing solutions, not just observations. When you spot an opportunity or challenge, you'll come with recommendations, understanding that in a growing agency, we're all building this together.
Using data to tell stories and shape strategy, leveraging analytics not as a report card but as a tool for understanding what resonates with our community and why.
Contributing to the bigger picture, collaborating with our team to ensure social isn't a silo but a key part of how we show up consistently across all touchpoints: digital, physical, and everything in between.

What You Bring

You're someone who starts conversations rather than waiting to join them, with a natural curiosity about what makes creative communities thrive. Remember, we're looking for potential as much as polish. If you see yourself in most (not all!) of these points, we want to hear from you:

1-3 years of experience creating social content that builds communities, not just audiences. Your portfolio shows you know how to make people feel something, not just see something.
A strategic mind that's ready to grow, understanding (or eager to learn) the crucial difference between content strategy (governance, user needs, information architecture) and content marketing (campaigns, distribution, promotion).
Natural leadership tendencies even if you haven't had the title yet. You're energized by ambiguity and the chance to build something meaningful. You've probably been the person suggesting new ideas even when it wasn't officially your job.
A people-first approach because you know great work happens when great people come together. You value team culture and understand that who you work with shapes everything else.
Familiarity with creative industry culture, or at least a genuine enthusiasm to immerse yourself in it. You get what kinds of conversations move communities forward versus just adding noise.
Some experience (or great ideas about) bringing digital and physical experiences together, whether that's covering events on social, creating shareable moments at gatherings, or extending in-person energy into online spaces.
Storytelling abilities that capture warmth and competence. You write copy that sounds like a human who cares, not a brand that's trying. Your voice doesn't have to be perfect; it just has to be real.
The hustler spirit that comes from wanting to prove yourself and make an impact. Agency experience is great but not required if you have that drive to figure things out and make things happen.
Comfort with the tools of the trade like Meta Business Suite, creative tools (Canva, Adobe Creative Suite), and analytics platforms, but more importantly, the curiosity to learn new ones as needed.
A collaborative spirit that understands great ideas can come from anywhere. You're building with us, not for us, and you know that the best work comes from genuine partnership.

What You'll Get

A genuine two-way street where we're as invested in your growth as we are in ours. This isn't about filling a role; it's about finding someone who'll thrive here while helping us level up.
Clear growth trajectory with a 90-day review process and structured path to pay increases. We believe in recognizing growth quickly when we see it.
Real influence on how a growing agency shows up in the creative industry. Your ideas won't just be heard; they'll shape how we engage with our community. This is the "more agency" you've been looking for.
A front-row seat to the creative industry's best moments, attending events, meeting incredible people, and being part of conversations that shape where creativity is headed.
A team of collaborators who genuinely like working together. We believe you can be warm AND competent, strategic AND human, serious about impact AND not take yourself too seriously. The people here will inspire you daily.
Room to experiment, fail, learn, and grow, with the understanding that not everything will work, and that's exactly how we all get better. Your growth trajectory here is what you make it.
The chance to build something with substance in an environment where your whole self is welcome, your ideas matter, and your growth is part of our success story.
Mentorship and professional development that goes beyond just learning new platforms. We're talking about growing as a strategic thinker, community builder, and creative leader.

Ready to Join Us?

If you're reading this and thinking "finally, a social role that gets it," we're already excited to meet you. Our interview process is about mutual discovery. We want to make sure you'll get as much value from working with us as we will from working with you.

Apply if you're ready to lead conversations that matter, build community that lasts, and help a growing agency find its voice in the creative industry. We value who you are as much as what you can do, and we can't wait to see how you'll help us show up, both URL and IRL.

The Gradient Group

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