What are the responsibilities and job description for the Digital Content Manager, Smithsonian Journeys position at Smithsonian Enterprises?
Description
OPEN DATE: June 24, 2026
CLOSING DATE: July 13, 2026
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Indefinite
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC
Position sensitivity and risk: Low
Open to all qualified applicants
Open to all qualified applicants
What are Trust Fund Positions?
Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).
Conditions of Employment
- Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
- Complete a Probationary Period.
- Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
- The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
- Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
OVERVIEW
The Digital Content Manager is a key member of the Smithsonian Journeys marketing team, leading website content production and optimization, managing social media strategy and execution, overseeing paid digital advertising in partnership with external agencies, and supporting broader digital marketing initiatives. The ideal candidate is creative, highly organized, data-driven, and collaborative, with a strong understanding of digital “best practices” and a focus on improving user experience, engagement, and lead generation.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Website Production and Optimization
- Own day-to-day website content production, ensuring accurate and timely publishing of tour and program content provided by third-party tour operators and internal Program Managers.
- Maintain and update site content, including pricing, itineraries, schedules, promotions, imagery, maps, landing pages, and copy to ensure accuracy and consistency.
- Manage workflows for ongoing updates and promotional changes across tour and landing pages.
- Serve as the primary liaison with external SEO/AI optimization agency, leading regular meetings, prioritizing initiatives, and implementing content and optimization recommendations.
- Identify opportunities to enhance website performance and user experience; collaborate with internal teams and external partners to define requirements, scope updates, and manage execution.
- Partner with VP, Marketing and internal development team on scoping, budgeting, and prioritizing site enhancements.
- Produce monthly performance reports on website metrics, recommending actionable insights to increase traffic, engagement, and conversions.
Social Media Marketing
- Develop and execute creative social media strategies and presence, and editorial calendars, aligned with marketing goals.
- Create, curate, and publish engaging content (copy, imagery, video) using Sprout Social to grow audience and drive engagement, in close collaboration with the SJ Writer/Editor.
- Monitor and respond to audience engagement, fostering a strong and active online community in accordance with Smithsonian guidelines.
- Analyze and report on social media performance, providing insights and recommendations to improve reach, engagement, and key performance indicators.
- Represent Smithsonian Journeys in Smithsonian Institution–wide social media meetings and initiatives.
Paid Digital Advertising
- Manage paid digital campaigns with a focus on paid social in partnership with an external agency.
- Contribute to campaign strategy, including audience targeting, creative testing, and performance optimization to drive traffic, leads, and customer acquisition.
- Coordinate development of ad creative, including imagery and copy, ensuring alignment with brand standards and campaign objectives.
- Analyze campaign performance, identify trends and insights, and recommend optimizations.
- Identify and test new digital advertising channels and opportunities to improve ROI.
Other Responsibilities
- Collaborate with VP, Marketing and external PR agency to support press efforts, including coordination of press releases and asset distribution.
- Provide backup support for email marketing initiatives using Salesforce Marketing Cloud.
- Contribute to ideation and execution of integrated marketing campaigns to increase lead generation, with a focus on website performance, social media, and paid media.
- Assist in marketing planning and budgeting processes, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, external vendors, and tour operator partners.
- Support additional digital marketing projects and initiatives as needed.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor's degree and 3-5 years of experience in web production, digital marketing, social media, PPC campaigns, project management and related experience.
- 2-3 years of hands-on experience with web-based content management systems (CMS).
- 2-3 years managing social media marketing (e.g. Sprout Social) and digital analytics tools (Google Analytics GA4), including detailed UTM tracking.
- Working knowledge of HTML and experience with Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign Illustrator) and/or Canva
- Familiarity with CRM platforms (Salesforce CRM) and email automation tools (Salesforce Marketing Cloud)
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Strong organization and project management abilities (e.g. Asana), with demonstrated capacity to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
- Experience in travel or tourism digital marketing is a plus.
- High energy, creative, proactive self-starter with strong attention to detail, collaborative, customer-focused, and a team-oriented mindset.
Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.
Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.
Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."
Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.
What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.
Relocation expenses are not paid.
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact SECareers@si.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact SECareers@si.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.
The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To review The Smithsonian's EEO program information, please click the following: https://www.si.edu/oeo
About Smithsonian Enterprises
Smithsonian Enterprises (SE) was formed in 1999 by the Smithsonian Institution's Board of Regents to consolidate and bring professional management to the commercial activities of the Institution. SE partners with a variety of internal constituents including Museum Directors, the Secretary of the Smithsonian and other administrative functions (legal, tax, government relations, central planning finance functions, etc.) to deliver profitable products and services that further the Smithsonian's mission.
Smithsonian Enterprises operates Media and content businesses through a variety of distribution platforms including print & online magazine publications & books as well as the Smithsonian Channel; Retail experiences including museum & airport stores, IMAX theaters, online and print catalog sales in addition to overseeing food & beverage and simulator concessionaires; educational adult and student travel experiences; and consumer product licensing.
Smithsonian Enterprises operates Media and content businesses through a variety of distribution platforms including print & online magazine publications & books as well as the Smithsonian Channel; Retail experiences including museum & airport stores, IMAX theaters, online and print catalog sales in addition to overseeing food & beverage and simulator concessionaires; educational adult and student travel experiences; and consumer product licensing.