National Cherry Blossom Festival is hiring: Social Media Content Creator (Contra

National Cherry Blossom Festival, Inc., a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization based in Washington, DC, is currently seeking an energetic, creative, and passionate Social Media Content Creator (Contract) to assist the Marketing and Communications (MarComm) team in executing the 2026 Festival.

Organization Description

The National Cherry Blossom Festival, Inc. is dedicated to promoting the beauty of nature and international friendship through year-round programs, events, and educational initiatives that enhance our environment, showcase arts and culture, and build community spirit.

Job Description

The National Cherry Blossom Festival, Inc is seeking a passionate digital storyteller who thrives on capturing real-time moments, understands social trends, and loves crafting compelling content that resonates with diverse audiences both locally and nationally - bringing the beauty, energy, and meaning of our springtime celebration to life across digital platforms.

The Social Media Content Creator will collaborate with the MarComm team to create, publish, and optimize social content across Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube while helping shape the Festival's visual narrative. They will be the eyes and voice on the ground during all Festival signature events including: Pink Tie Party, Opening Ceremony, Petalpalooza®, Blossom Kite Festival, the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade®, as well as community program events, regional events in collaboration with our participating organizations from Mosaic District to National Harbor, and participating restaurants and hotels showcasing Washington, DC in bloom to local, national, and international audiences.

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:
* Create original, on-brand content (video, photo, graphics, copy) across Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and X
* Capture real-time content during events, including short-form videos, Reels, Stories, and live updates
* Develop and maintain weekly content calendars in alignment with campaign and event timelines
* Contribute to seasonal campaign brainstorms, event coverage strategy, and content series development
* Track performance analytics and report on KPIs such as reach, engagement, and follower growth
* Identify and pitch timely social media trends that align with the Festival's brand voice and mission
* Organize and archive content assets, edit media for digital use, and manage content folders
* Collaborate with sponsors, partners, influencers/talent, and internal teams to support cross-promotional campaigns
* Assisting with execution of Festival events via on-site support

Time Commitment:

October - December 2025: Appx 15 to 20 hours per week between 10 AM and 4 PM, Monday through Friday

January - June 2026: Appx 25 to 30 hours per week between 10 AM and 5 PM Monday through Friday

MUST AVAILABLE ON SATURDAYS DURING THE FESTIVAL SEASON FROM MARCH 20 - APRIL 12, 2026

Qualifications
* 2-4 years of experience creating engaging digital content (brand, media, nonprofit, or event-based experience preferred)
* Located in Washington, DC metro-area
* Ability to work on site three days a week in downtown Washington, DC office
* Must be available for in person event coverage
* Must be available some evenings and weekends to follow through on executing key Festival programs and events during peak months (March and April).
* Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, event-driven environment and pivot quickly when needed
* Strong visual and copywriting skills; ability to align content with brand tone and visual identity * Understanding of analytics tools (Brandwatch, Meta Business Suite, etc.) and ability to extract key insights
* Proficiency in Canva and comfort working with mobile editing tools like CapCut, InShot, or Splice
* Passion for culture, community, creativity, and purpose-driven work
* Comfort being both behind and in front of the camera when needed
* Cross-functionally collaborate with internal and external partners
* Monday.com and social media monitoring software knowledge preferred (e.g. Brandwatch) but not required

Bonus Points If You Have:
* Adobe Premier Pro experience
* Experience covering live events and festivals
* Familiarity with DC's cultural scene and community organizations
* Fluency in a second language: Spanish and Japanese preferred

Compensation: $22,000. This position is not eligible for benefits.

Applicants must submit a portfolio that demonstrates creative range in social storytelling (Reels, TikToks, stories, carousels, graphics) to be considered.