Senior Social Media Manager

The National Restaurant Association and National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation are proud to be part of a highly respected industry, providing hospitality, opportunity, and quality of life. Much like the industry we represent, we have a dynamic, diverse, and inclusive culture, grounded in trust, hospitality, collaboration, and innovation. These are the core values that inspire our work, and what we are looking for in a dynamic new role as Senior Social Media Manager.

Reporting to the VP of Digital Marketing, and as an integral strategic leader within our digital marketing department, the Senior Social Media Manager will be responsible for shaping and executing a comprehensive social media vision that advances the Association's mission, advocacy, member engagement, as well as our leading product brands, including ServSafe, AHLEI, and Restaurantowner.com. Serving as a thought leader on social trends, policy, and digital engagement, the Senior Social Media Manager will work cross-functionally to drive measurable business outcomes and oversee the development and implementation of innovative social media strategies.

Ideal candidates bring a passion for content, community, and audience development with a minimum of seven years' experience managing social media strategy for a brand, nonprofit, or association. Position requires a highly creative and collaborative self-starter, with proven experience developing compelling, insight-driven campaigns. Prior leadership or supervisory experience is a plus, as well as experience developing and implementing an influencer strategy.

This role can operate from either our Chicago or DC office, following our hybrid work structure with a required three days onsite, Monday - Wednesday and flexibility to work remote Thursday and Friday.

We are proud to offer our team members comprehensive benefits, designed to support their financial, professional, and personal well-being. In addition to outstanding healthcare coverage (medical, dental and vision), competitive salaries, generous vacation and leave time, we offer a matching 401(k) plan, a unique collection of corporate discounts and memberships, as well as programs to support career and skills development, learning and tuition assistance, and so much more.

The work you will do as the Senior Social Media Manager will be integral to amplifying the Association's voice to drive awareness, engagement, and advocacy. We look forward to hearing from you!

Key Responsibilities

Strategy, Leadership & Planning

• Develop and lead the Association's and the Educational Foundation's social media strategy, ensuring alignment with broader communications, advocacy, and marketing goals.
• Oversee annual, quarterly, and monthly social media planning, including campaign development, channel strategy, and resource allocation.
• Identify and capitalize on key industry moments for social amplification and engagement.
• Serve as the primary advisor on social media trends, platform innovations, and best practices.
• Lead competitive and industry benchmarking to inform strategy and innovation.

Content Creation & Oversight

• Guide the creation, curation, and publishing of high-impact content (text, image, video, infographics, stories, reels, etc.) across all major platforms.
• Set standards for brand voice, style, and compliance in all social content.
• Oversee content calendar management and scheduling tools.
• Approve and review major campaigns, ensuring quality and strategic alignment.

Community Engagement & Stakeholder Relations

• Lead proactive engagement with influencers, industry partners, and key stakeholders.
• Oversee social listening and reputation management, including crisis communications and rapid response protocols.
• Establish guidelines for community management and escalation.

Analytics, Reporting & Optimization

• Set KPIs and performance metrics for social media initiatives.
• Oversee the production of performance dashboards and executive reports, present insights and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Drive a culture of data-driven optimization, testing, and continuous improvement.

Paid Social & Advertising

• Lead the strategy and execution of social media advertising campaigns, including budgeting, targeting, creative direction, and ROI analysis.
• Coordinate with paid media and digital advertising teams to maximize impact.

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Serve as the primary social media liaison to advocacy, research, membership, events, and communications teams.
• Lead social media support for major launches, campaigns, and events.
• Provide guidance, training, and best practices to internal teams and affiliates.

Required Qualifications, Skills & Competencies

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, journalism, or related field; master's degree preferred.
• 7+ years of professional experience managing social media for a brand, nonprofit, or association, with at least 2 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing social media strategies at scale.
• Experience managing social media advertising campaigns and budgets.
• Exceptional leadership, team management, and mentoring skills.
• Advanced writing, editing, and storytelling abilities.
• Expertise with social media management, listening, and analytics tools.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to translate data into strategic action.
• Highly effective organizational, time-management, priority-setting and problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal and diplomacy skills; ability to collaborate, influence and communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Exceptional strategic and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to thrive within fast-paced and fluid environment.
• Ability to travel as needed; estimate 10%.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in trade associations, public policy, or advocacy.
• Background in the restaurant, hospitality, or foodservice industries.
• Expertise in video content creation, short-form video, and live streaming.
• Proficiency with graphic design tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite).
• Experience coordinating with state or local chapters/affiliates.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The National Restaurant Association, National Restaurant Association Solutions, LLC, and The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (together, "Company") is committed to equal employment opportunity, and it is Company's policy to take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

It is our policy to recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job titles, and ensure that all other personnel actions are administered, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status and disability, or other legally protected status, and we will ensure that all employment decisions are based only on valid job requirements.

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.

For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.