Social Media Manager

About the California Academy of Sciences Founded in 1853 , the California Academy of Sciences is a globally renowned, AZA-accredited non-profit scientific and cultural institution located in the heart of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Home to a world-class planetarium, aquarium, rainforest, research institute, and natural history museum—all under one living roof— our mission is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration. Our living collection reflects Earth’s vast biodiversity, consisting of nearly 60,000 animals representing over 800 species. Our research collections are the largest west of the Mississippi, spanning nearly 46 million plants, animals, fossils, and cultural artifacts from across the globe and throughout history. Our diverse team includes leading biodiversity scientists, educators, storytellers, designers, and communicators who are passionate about advancing knowledge and catalyzing action through science and storytelling. Whether you're conducting research behind the scenes or engaging the public on the museum floor, your work will help connect people to the natural world and empower them to protect it. Organizational Culture When you join the California Academy of Sciences, you become part of a mission-driven community that values curiosity, collaboration, and innovation, and celebrates its accomplishments together. Staff share a commitment to executing a new strategic plan that will strengthen the organization's financial foundations, cultivate a vibrant internal culture, and foster smart growth to secure the Academy’s future. We hope you are inspired by what we do and are motivated to contribute to our mission. The Academy is looking for candidates who do great work, and we know they may come from a number of different backgrounds and experiences. We encourage you to apply even if you do not believe you meet every qualification for the position. This position is based in San Francisco, California. The specific onsite/hybrid schedule for this position is listed below. ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY The Social Media Manager is a key contributor within the Marcomm Division, responsible for the strategy, creation, and day-to-day execution of content across all of the California Academy of Sciences' social media channels. This role owns the Academy's organic social presence developing content that is culturally fluent, visitation focused, mission-aligned, and built for the audiences we most want to reach while serving as an active collaborator on paid social campaigns in partnership with agency partners and internal stakeholders. Reporting to the Associate Director, Brand Marketing, this role brings a strong creative and analytical sensibility to a 3MM+ social community across Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, and emerging platforms. The Social Media Manager is a skilled content creator, community manager, and strategic thinker who stays ahead of platform trends and uses data to continuously improve performance. ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Organic Social Media Strategy & Content Develop and execute a cohesive, channel-specific organic social media strategy aligned with the Academy's brand positioning, campaign calendar, and institutional priorities. Create, write, and produce original content across all owned social channels including Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, balancing brand storytelling, on-site visitation, science communication, and audience engagement. Develop and manage the Academy's social content calendar, ensuring consistent publishing cadence and strategic alignment across campaigns, exhibits, events, and mission-driven moments. Partner with internal teams/staff to source content, surface stories, and identify real-time opportunities for social engagement. Manage and moderate the Academy's social community: respond to comments, messages, and mentions in a timely, brand-appropriate way; escalate issues as needed. Oversee online reputation management, monitor…