The Cato Institute is seeking a full-time social media content producer in Washington, DC, to join and complement our existing marketing and communications team. The social media content producer will be responsible for drafting copy, planning engaging multimedia content, and developing and implementing Cato’s social media strategy across platforms.

The social media content producer will report directly to the Senior Editor. The ideal candidate will have relevant experience in a similar role and an obvious commitment to Cato’s libertarian principles. The successful candidate will be highly productive, entrepreneurial, creative, and have good writing and production skills to push Cato scholars’ messages.

This is a hybrid position in Washington, DC.

The projected salary range for this role is $50,000 – $85,000 per year. 

Compensation is based on the successful candidate's educational background, experience, and skills.

About Cato

The Cato Institute is a public policy research organization—a think tank—dedicated to the principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace. Its scholars and analysts conduct independent, nonpartisan research on a wide range of policy issues.

Founded in 1977, Cato owes its name to Cato’s Letters, a series of essays published in 18th- century England that presented a vision of society free from excessive government power. Those essays inspired the architects of the American Revolution. And the simple, timeless principles of that revolution — individual liberty, limited government, and free markets – turn out to be even more powerful in today’s world of global markets and unprecedented access to information than Jefferson or Madison could have imagined. Social and economic freedom is not just the best policy for free people; it is the indispensable framework for the future.

Cato Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement Cato’s social media strategy across all major platforms (Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, and YouTube).
• Monitor news cycles and trending topics to identify rapid-response opportunities that advance Cato’s priorities.
• Plan, draft, and post engaging multimedia content—including posts, videos, and threads—aligned with campaign goals and messaging priorities.
• Ensure Cato’s brand voice is maintained across all platforms.
• Work with the Senior Manager, Social Media, to track social media analytics, audience engagement, and growth. 
• Collaborate with policy staff and team members to amplify media hits, promote events, and highlight key stories, initiatives, and commentary.
• Work with the marketing team for effective advertising campaigns for books or initiatives across social media platforms. 
• Ensure Cato’s social media guidelines are being adhered to by other staff across platforms.
• Contribute to the think-tank’s broader efforts to communicate our ideas effectively. 

Education/ Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
• At least one year of professional experience in social media content production, digital communications, or marketing, including video editing, graphic design, and script writing. 
• Strong alignment with Cato’s libertarian principles and demonstrated understanding of libertarian policy positions.
• Demonstrated success in growing reach and effective messaging across several platforms.
• Knowledge and experience of using social media tools and analytics platforms.

Skills

• Excellent drafting and copyediting skills, with keen attention to detail.
• Entrepreneurial and an understanding of how to judge the success of campaigns and posts.
• Able to manage time effectively, meet deadlines, and prioritize tasks based on their importance.
• Able to adapt to changing work environments, manage competing demands, and adjust methods to suit the situation while handling frequent changes and unexpected events.
• Able to identify and resolve problems in a timely manner.
• Works well independently but is comfortable collaborating with team members on projects as needed.
• Strong attention to detail for user experience.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit the following documents to be considered for the position:

• Cover letter detailing your expertise in social media content production, your philosophical interest in the organization, and why the position interests you
• Résumé
• Examples or writing samples that  highlight your social media experience and understanding of libertarianism  (your content creation: blog posts, personal social media feeds, organizational/institutional social media feeds etc.)

Benefits

All Cato employees are provided with:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Employer contribution to a Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Generous vacation and sick days
• Paid parental leave
• Employer-provided life and disability insurance 
• 401(k) employer match
• Transit/ Parking benefits 
• Pet discount plan

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. This position does not offer visa sponsorship.