DIGITAL MEDIA SPECIALIST [CONTRACT]



MISSION & VISION  

Open Television (OTV) is a non-profit streaming platform and media incubator for intersectional storytelling, with artists and their creative visions at the center. Our mission is to transform the way film, television and entertainment industries support independent artists and communities marginalized by their race, gender, sexuality, class, disability or nationality. Through intentional artist development and holistic community development we provide a network of care to identify, activate and mobilize the next generation of storytellers. OTV is cultivating the next generation of intersectional storytellers to dream, create and thrive on their own terms. Folks who are queer, trans, non-binary, Black, Indigenous, people of color, disabled, recent graduates, care-givers, are/have been system-impacted, are immigrants, and anyone who has experienced systemic oppression and/or gender-based violence are encouraged to apply. Want in? Read on!

Aymar Jean Christian, Sarah Minnie, Elijah McKinnon and Chris Walker, OTV Studio Soft Launch, Felton Kizer



POSITION OVERVIEW:   

OTV is seeking a Digital Media Specialist for a 12 month contract to support our marketing and communications strategy. This role is ideal for an early-career professional or aspiring creative who is passionate about media, arts, and social impact—and wants hands-on experience in digital storytelling, campaign execution, and online community building. Working closely with OTV’s Co-Director, Strategy & Distribution, the Digital Media Specialist will help curate, produce, and publish content across all of OTV’s social and digital platforms. You’ll play a key role in driving audience engagement and amplifying OTV’s mission to global and local communities alike.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and creative Digital Media Specialist with a passion for digital storytelling, community engagement, and media equity. The ideal candidate brings a strong understanding of social media platforms and content trends, along with curiosity around brand strategy, market research, and digital asset management. This role is well-suited for someone eager to contribute in a hands-on, supportive environment while building a competitive digital portfolio.

As a Digital Media Specialist, you will support the execution of strategic campaigns, help curate and schedule content, and engage with OTV’s vibrant community across digital platforms. While the role primarily implements strategies defined by the Co-Director, Strategy & Distribution, we encourage fresh ideas and experimentation with emerging tools and trends. This is an exciting opportunity to gain practical experience in content marketing, audience development, and digital communications within the arts and media sector.

If you're proactive, adaptable, and detail-oriented—with a genuine interest in brand storytelling, digital archiving, and audience insights—we welcome you to apply.

SUBMIT APPLICATION
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Core Responsibilities // Essential Functions:

CONTENT CREATION & BRAND MANAGEMENT

  • Assist in the creation and curation of visually compelling, on-brand content for OTV’s digital channels, including TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, Mailchimp, and more.

  • Contribute to expanding OTV’s presence on TikTok and LinkedIn through platform-specific content and strategy.

  • Ensure all content reflects OTV’s mission, brand voice, and visual identity with clarity and consistency.

  • Support the development and refinement of brand guidelines to ensure cohesive storytelling across all platforms.

  • Provide occasional event photography and content capture as needed.

SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGY:

  • Support the execution of social media strategies developed by the Co-Director, Strategy & Distribution, with a focus on increasing OTV’s digital footprint across viewership and engagement.

  • Assist with paid social media promotions, trend research, competitor analysis, and gathering audience insights.

  • Conduct market research on audience demographics, engagement patterns, and platform-specific trends to help inform and refine content strategy.

  • Contribute to implementing strategies that boost community interaction, drive discovery, and expand OTV’s online reach.

CAMPAIGN ASSISTANCE & PERFORMANCE ANALYTICS

  • Support the execution of social media campaigns promoting OTV events, initiatives, and original content.

  • Play a key role in supporting high-impact activations and special projects, including the Beyond the Screen Convening, Beyond the Screen Publication Launch, Individual Giving Campaign, Fundraiser Launch, and other strategic campaigns.

  • Assist in producing monthly performance reports that track social media metrics, audience growth, and campaign outcomes.

  • Help generate insights and recommendations based on analytics to inform content optimization and strategic decision-making.

ENGAGEMENT & COMMUNITY BUILDING

  • Actively monitor and respond to comments, messages, tags, and mentions across OTV’s social media platforms to nurture a responsive and inclusive digital community.

  • Foster meaningful interactions with followers, artists, partners, and supporters to build deeper relationships and amplify OTV’s mission and values.

  • Support the development of engagement benchmarks (e.g., response time, comment volume, interaction rate) and help test various engagement tactics (e.g., polls, Q&As, reposts, giveaways) to determine what resonates with OTV’s audiences.

  • Experiment with platform-specific community building strategies on TikTok, Instagram, and LinkedIn to increase retention, grow audience touchpoints, and encourage audience-generated content.

  • Provide bi-weekly insights and learnings to help evolve OTV’s approach to digital engagement and relational storytelling.

DIGITAL ARCHIVE MANAGEMENT

  • Assist in organizing and maintaining OTV’s digital archive to ensure media assets (videos, images, past campaigns) are easily accessible for promotional use and storytelling.

  • Support the development and implementation of a clear tagging and metadata system to streamline content retrieval and repurposing.

  • Support the management, organization, and metadata tagging system on the OTV App. 

  • Collaborate with the marketing team to identify and surface archival content that can be reimagined for current campaigns, social media posts, and community engagement efforts.

  • Help leverage historical content to highlight OTV’s legacy, celebrate artist milestones, and deepen audience connection through storytelling across platforms.

COLLABORATION & BRAINSTORMING

  • Actively participate in team meetings, bringing fresh ideas and creative input to support marketing and community-building goals.

  • Collaborate with cross-functional team members to brainstorm content ideas, campaign strategies, and engagement tactics that align with OTV’s mission and priorities.

  • Contribute to a collaborative culture by sharing insights, exploring trends, and helping shape strategies that amplify intersectional storytelling.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS // MISCELLANEOUS DETAILS

COMMITMENT & COMPENSATION: 

  • Location: This is a fully remote position with a preference for Chicago-based applicants. Applicants based in Chicago will be required to work in a studio at least once a week. 

  • Stipend: $3,000 - $3,500 stipend per month for 12 months from April 1,  2025 until March 31, 2027, depending on experience  

  • Flexible Hours: Estimated 20-30 hours per week 

  • Duration: 12-month contract with the potential for future opportunities based on performance. During the final performance review will be a determination of a new contract offer or termination of contract depending on performance, financial positioning and all other organizational priorities.

    • Performance reviews will be conducted twice: 

      • The last week of September 2026 

      • The last week of January 2027

QUALIFICATIONS:
Actively enrolled in school or recently graduated with a focus on marketing, communications, or a related field is preferred. No prior professional experience required, though familiarity with social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, X, TikTok, etc.) is highly desirable.

EXPERIENCE 

1–3 years of experience (professional, freelance, internship, or equivalent) in digital media, social media management, content creation, or communications.

SPECIALIZED SKILLS 

  • Demonstrated experience creating and publishing content across social platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and email tools such as Mailchimp.

  • Strong visual and storytelling sensibility, with an ability to translate organizational values and mission into engaging digital content.

  • Familiarity with basic content creation tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, CapCut, or similar).

  • Working knowledge of social media analytics and performance metrics (engagement, reach, growth, CTR).

  • Experience supporting or participating in digital campaigns, events, or activations.

  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and content workflows.

  • Excellent written communication skills and attention to detail.

  • Comfort working collaboratively in a small, fast-moving nonprofit environment.

  • Alignment with OTV’s mission and a demonstrated commitment to intersectional storytelling, equity, and community-centered work.

SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE (NICE TO HAVE): 

  • Experience working in arts, culture, media, or social impact organizations.

  • Familiarity with platform-specific content strategy, particularly TikTok growth, Instagram engagement, and LinkedIn audience development.

  • Experience capturing live or event-based content (photo, video, reels).

  • Working knowledge of content scheduling tools and asset management systems.

  • Experience supporting paid social media promotions or boosting content.

  • Interest in digital archives, metadata, or content repurposing strategies.

  • Basic photography and video editing skills.

  • Familiarity with community management and audience engagement best practices.

APPLICATION PROCESS // HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter outlining their qualifications and experience to the OTV Careers Portal by 23:59 CST on  January 11, 2026. Tentative start date: March 1, 2026. 

Open Television (OTV) is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.  Learn more about OTV’s approach to engagement at https://www.weareo.tv/engagement.

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