Social media editor, pogo investigates

Founded in 1981 in partnership with whistleblowers, the Project On Government Oversight (POGO) is a nonpartisan independent watchdog that works to expose waste, corruption, abuse of power, and other instances where the government fails to serve the public. We champion reforms to achieve a more effective, ethical, and accountable federal government that safeguards constitutional principles. POGO has an over $7 million annual budget that supports a staff of over 50 employees.

POGO is looking for a talented Social Media Editor to be our newsroom's day to day social media lead. This role owns the execution of the POGO Investigates social strategy across X, Bluesky, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, turning investigations into native, platform-first content that delivers findings directly to readers and grows POGO Investigates as a credible presence in accountability journalism. This position reports to the Digital Engagement Manager.

We encourage potential applicants to apply even if they only have experience or familiarity in some of the areas described below. We fully recognize that many great candidates will not have experience in all of the areas we list, or may have relevant experiences and skills that we have not listed or considered.

Responsibilities include:

• Owns the POGO Investigates social content calendar and produces the native package for every investigation launch: X and Bluesky threads and in-post summaries, LinkedIn long-form posts and native document posts, Instagram carousels, Reels, Stories, and data cards, and Facebook visual summaries.
• Writes social copy in the POGO Investigates voice (confident, intellectual, conversational, nonpartisan, independent; grounded in evidence rather than advocacy) that puts the findings ahead of the links and holds to the strategy's content mix targets (roughly 70 percent native, 30 percent link).
• Produces recurring content across the newsroom's content pillars, including standalone data points, archive features, behind-the-investigation and reporter spotlight content, and impact and outcomes posts, so the accounts stay active between investigation drops.
• Creates and edits short-form video (30 to 60 seconds), pull-quote and data graphics, and document snapshots using established templates and the Brand Kit; works with the associate designer and Creative team on higher-production assets.
• Builds and maintains an evergreen content bank by auditing raw and published assets (interview footage, B-roll, testimony clips, data visualizations, podcast audio, published data) and clipping them into platform-ready formats.
• Drives email list growth in coordination with the Digital Engagement Manager through social, including link stickers, newsletter conversion pushes, and automation tools such as ManyChat where adopted.
• Tracks performance in Sprout Social and native platform analytics against the PI strategy's benchmarks (follower retention, platform engagement rates, content mix, LinkedIn growth) and reports weekly during launch and monthly thereafter.
• Works closely with the Digital team's social media manager and digital engagement staff to align the POGO Investigates accounts with POGO's main channels, including collaborative posts, cross-posting, share content, and avoid duplication.

Qualifications include:

• Three years of experience running social media for a newsroom, news outlet, or journalism nonprofit, with a track record of packaging reported stories for social platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to create native content across formats, including written threads, carousels, short-form video, and data graphics, using tools such as Canva, Adobe Express or Creative Cloud, CapCut, or comparable software.
• Strong news judgment and story instincts: can identify the lead finding in a long investigation, write tight and accurate copy, and work within journalistic standards for sourcing and attribution.
• Excellent writing and editing skills with the ability to adapt voice by platform while staying consistent with a newsroom brand.
• Experience with social media management and analytics tools (Sprout Social or similar) and the ability to translate performance data into content decisions.
• Ability to work under deadline, manage a multi-platform calendar, and coordinate across reporters, newsroom leadership, editors, designers, and communications staff.
• Understanding of nonpartisan communications and the judgment to cover politically charged subjects without partisan framing.
• Commitment to POGO's mission and values, including equity and inclusion.
• (+) Experience at an investigative or accountability-focused outlet, or covering federal government, Congress, or public policy.
• (+) Basic video editing and motion graphics skills, and experience directing or shooting reporter-facing video.
• (+) Experience building or relaunching a social presence, including audience retention through a rebrand or acquisition.
• (+) Familiarity with LinkedIn newsletters, native document posts, and audience development among policy and professional audiences.

Compensation, benefits, and other information:

This position is eligible for remote work from anywhere within the United States provided you are available during POGO's working hours of 9AM-6PM EST. This is a full-time, non-exempt, at will position. This position is grant funded for a period of one year and continued employment is contingent upon the receipt of direct grant funds. This position includes the listed benefits:

• Competitive nonprofit salary commensurate with experience in the range of $74K - $80K annually
• Health, dental and vision insurance
• 403(b) employee investment plan available, with employer contribution once eligible
• Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage
• Paid holiday, vacation, and sick leave

To Apply: Resume required, cover letter welcomed but not required. If you'd like to share context on transferable experience or your interest in POGO's mission, we'd love to read it. No phone calls please.

Application Deadline: October 6th, 2026

POGO is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. We encourage all interested and qualified individuals to apply.