Careers

The American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) seeks accomplished, high-energy post-undergraduate, graduate, or professional student with excellent research, writing, and communication abilities. The social media and digital strategy associate will primarily assist the communications team in identifying social media opportunities for ACTA, both external and internal, creating appropriate digital content, and disseminating that content.   

Applicant Qualifications/Skills

• A bachelor’s degree relevant to social media, digital strategy, or marketing is required
• 2-3 years of experience in the field are preferred. Relevant internships will be considered as experience
• Identifies and aligns with ACTA’s core mission: promoting academic excellence, academic freedom, and accountability at America’s colleges and universities
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently as needed, problem solve, and exercise sound decision-making
• Flexibility to take on projects on short notice as priorities shift, even when required to multitask
• Creativity to develop a comprehensive social media and digital strategic plan and maintain the implementation long-term
• Proven ability to identify and effectively reach targeted audiences
• Ability to exercise confidentiality while handling high-profile social media accounts
• Experience using website and social media analytics to generate reports
• Understanding of Facebook, Google, Instagram, and X ads
• Experience with graphic design and video editing via Adobe programs, Canva, GIMP, etc.
• Experience with WordPress is not required but is considered a strong plus

Position Responsibilities Include:

• Write, edit, and publish social media content based on ACTA’s core mission
• Monitor social media for coverage of issues affecting ACTA’s sphere of interest and create content that inserts ACTA into that stream of conversation
• Establish brand standards for ACTA’s digital presence
• Keep the organization current with the ever-changing best practices in social media
• Identify opportunities to engage with like-minded organizations and higher education influencers to boost social media presence
• Run digital ads on Facebook, Google, Instagram, and X
• Conduct regular audits of ACTA’s social media strategy to better strategic planning and identify short and long-term goals
• Work with contractors to improve and maintain ACTA’s website
• Perform all other work-related duties as assigned

Interested applicants should email Hanna Hotes at hhotes@goacta.org a resume, cover letter, and any other relevant materials they want to be considered.

The Campus Freedom Researcher advances ACTA’s mission of higher education reform by supporting efforts to help higher education leaders and the public understand the importance of free expression and viewpoint diversity in the academy; publish best-practices research, surveys, and other reports on issues related to academic freedom; and effect positive change to improve the conditions for free expression and viewpoint diversity on American campuses.

Specifically, the Campus Freedom Researcher will:

• Conduct Research, undertake policy analysis, and assist with preparing reports and other materials for ACTA’s Campus Freedom Initiative, which aims to encourage colleges and universities to adopt policies and practices outlined in ACTA’s Gold Standard for Freedom of Expression.
• Provide research and writing assistance to the Paul & Karen Levy Fellow in Campus Freedom for journalistic investigations, op-eds, essays, and other writing.
• Assist the Paul & Karen Levy Fellow in Campus Freedom with major reports and best-practices guides related to academic freedom, free speech, and viewpoint diversity on campus.
• Support rapid response research and outreach to university governing boards and others on campus freedom issues.
• Be willing to travel occasionally to support outreach, presentations, and research for the Campus Freedom Initiative.

The Campus Freedom Researcher will report to ACTA’s Paul & Karen Levy Fellow in Campus Freedom. This is envisioned as a Washington, DC-based position but a hybrid arrangement is possible.

The Campus Freedom Researcher must approach these tasks as an entrepreneurial enterprise, requiring an understanding of and proactive approach to ACTA’s program activities. He or she is expected to be personable, dynamic, well organized, highly motivated, and principled. The highest degree of personal responsibility, accountability, and honesty is expected. A bachelor’s degree in a humanities or social science discipline, along with 2-3 years of experience in higher education, the legal sector, or public policy, is required. A J.D. and First Amendment background, or an M.A. in a social science discipline (with strong background statistical research methods), are preferred credentials for the position. Candidates with 5+ years of experience may apply for the position at the senior researcher level.

Interested applicants should email a resume and cover letter to Hanna Hotes at hhotes@goacta.org.