Director, Digital Engagement

Reports to: Vice President, Digital Strategy

Staff reporting to this position: One staff member

Department: Advocacy

Position classification: Exempt, full time; Nonunion - Level 7

Compensation range: $92,000-$110,400 per annum

Work site: On-site (Washington, D.C., office)

Summary

American Progress is seeking a Director of Digital Engagement to join CAP Action's Digital Advocacy content creation and distribution efforts to build the case for progressive policies and values.

Most Americans now get their news through their social feeds, not traditional media outlets. This role is a chance to drive the engagement strategy for a combined audience of more than 2 million followers across platforms, growing that presence and delivering credible, persuasive content that moves audiences beyond awareness and toward action.

A strong candidate for this role will lead the team's work to write and approve copy, post content, and engage with audiences for both CAP Action's platforms and partners across the progressive policy media landscape. The Director will lead a team that identifies rapid response opportunities and crafts engaging, relevant content. They will drive audience growth around our long-form, persuasion-based storytelling, using messaging proven to move key audiences. This includes owning organic audience growth on YouTube and building out a strong clipping strategy for vertical video across all of our owned channels.

This role requires flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic, fast-paced environment where priorities may shift based on organizational and departmental needs. The ideal candidate will be driven by American Progress' mission to improve the lives of all Americans through bold, progressive ideas, as well as strong leadership and concerted action.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement social growth and engagement strategies for planned campaigns and rapid-response moments, coordinating across the full team to capitalize on breaking news.
• Monitor social discovery tools and current events to identify strategic opportunities, connecting trending content and ideas to CAP's key message priorities.
• In partnership with the Vice President of Digital Strategy, develop a strategic plan to produce and post compelling content in coordination with teams across American Progress.
• Onboard and manage junior-level engagement team staff, ensuring they develop a well-rounded set of skills for working in the progressive digital landscape.
• Work directly with our video team to pitch and give feedback on content meant to grow audiences.
• Regularly report out performance insights to inform engagement strategies and best practices.
• Actively participate in and lead team brainstorms and planning meetings.
• Help monitor and manage relationships with partners and creators to amplify CAP Action content.
• Create and post engaging video clips of speeches and media appearances by key progressive leaders and messengers.
• In preparation for rapid-response moments, work with the Digital Partnerships team to develop plans, tool kits, and asset banks for partners.
• Manage vendor relationships as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements and qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.
• At least seven years of professional experience in strategic communications, social media, creative strategy, and/or digital content creation.
• Excellent editorial judgement and deep understanding of political communications.
• Proven success leading teams and demonstrating strong competency in a supervisory or management role.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• A passion for digital communication strategy.
• Expert-level understanding of major social media platforms, including YouTube, TikTok, Twitter/X, Facebook, and Instagram, and up-to-date understanding of emerging platforms.
• Proactive and a self-starter.
• Political experience on a campaign or with an advocacy group or nonprofit is a plus.
• Strong understanding of progressive values and policy issues and their intersection with current news and events.
• Strong understanding of YouTube content formats and audience behavior is a big plus.
• Detail oriented with the ability to juggle multiple projects for different stakeholders, often in rapid-response or high-pressure situations.
• Open to developing new skills as needed.
• A positive team player with a passion for progressive change.

American Progress offers full and competitive benefits packages. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.