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Social Media Director

Word on Fire

MarketingFull Time
Location
Rochester, MN
Posted
August 29, 2026

Job Description

Role overview

Word on Fire Catholic Ministries, a nonprofit global media apostolate supporting Bishop Robert Barron, seeks a Social Media Director to lead its social media efforts across global platforms. This role is instrumental in advancing the mission of evangelization by engaging the culture, building influential relationships, and translating the Catholic faith into compelling digital content. The Social Media Director will serve as the strategic architect of Bishop Robert Barron's digital presence, anticipating key moments and drawing millions into—or back to—the Catholic faith.

This position reports to the Executive Director of Brand & Mission.

Responsibilities

  • Work in close partnership with the CEO and executive leadership to direct the overarching digital narrative for Bishop Robert Barron, ensuring his voice serves as the primary catalyst for cultural engagement across all global social media platforms.
  • Present high-impact initiatives to the CEO that provide influential cultural moments as points of contact between Bishop Barron and his intended audience, applying a strategic approach to social positioning and communications.
  • Consistently reinforce the core identity of Word on Fire through social channels, focusing on the teaching, preaching, and person of Bishop Robert Barron, while upholding the dignity of his person and the Church's teachings.
  • Anticipate and capitalize on high-stakes cultural moments, positioning Bishop Barron to engage in these moments proactively rather than reactively.
  • Steward Bishop Barron’s digital reputation with a deep understanding of public relations, ensuring that social media engagement functions as a sophisticated PR engine that protects and promotes the mission of Word on Fire.
  • Craft and execute a multi-platform growth strategy that prioritizes reach into the "nones" and secular demographics, leveraging Bishop Barron’s unique charism for evangelization.
  • Monitor digital sentiment and cultural shifts, ensuring the apostolate pivots quickly to protect and elevate Bishop Barron's voice.
  • Oversee the aesthetic and intellectual integrity of all content, ensuring that every short-form video, long-form discourse, and visual asset reflects the excellence and dignity of Word on Fire’s brand.
  • Cultivate strategic, high-level relationships with global digital influencers and media personalities to facilitate collaborative opportunities.
  • Translate complex theological and philosophical insights into high-impact digital assets that resonate with a global audience while maintaining the rigor of the Catholic intellectual tradition.

Requirements

  • Extensive experience managing the digital presence of a high-profile public figure, major talent, or political leader, with a proven track record of successful reputation management.
  • 7 years of leadership in digital strategy or talent management within high-pressure, 24/7 media environments.
  • A sophisticated understanding of "celebrity" or public-intellectual dynamics, including the ability to navigate the nuances of a person-centric brand.
  • High-level strategic autonomy, demonstrated by the ability to move an organization from a defensive posture to a proactive, trend-setting digital presence.
  • Expert-level knowledge of social media as a PR tool, with the instinct to manage rapid-response situations and high-stakes cultural moments.
  • Exceptional ability to internalize and amplify the specific voice, tone, and cadence of Bishop Robert Barron.
  • Deep familiarity with the Catholic intellectual tradition and the teachings of the Church.
  • Ability to work irregular hours and travel as necessary to provide real-time digital coverage for Bishop Barron’s events and public appearances.
  • Commitment to the mission of Word on Fire.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Master’s degree in Theology, Philosophy, or a related field.
  • Direct experience in crisis communications or digital public relations.
  • Experience managing digital accounts with a global reach exceeding one million followers.

Physical Requirements

  • Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time, working on a computer.
  • Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 lbs.
  • Ability to navigate active video production sets, which may involve standing for long durations or moving through outdoor/on-site locations during filming.

Compensation and Benefits

  • Word on Fire is offering a minimum $25,000 relocation/sign-on bonus for the Social Media Director position.
  • Word on Fire determines individual compensation based on several factors, including but not limited to, experience, skills, alignment with the role’s responsibilities, and geographic location.
  • This role may be eligible for annual merit increases based on individual performance.
  • Work-from-home Wednesdays and up to 20 additional work-from-home days throughout the year.
  • Several 100% Word on Fire-paid insurance benefits: life, short-term disability, and long-term disability.
  • Other insurance benefits: medical, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity.
  • A retirement plan with a 3% target employer contribution.
  • Generous paid time off and paid holidays.
  • Paid parental leaves at 100% of base salary.
  • Access to Word on Fire’s incredible wealth of content and resources.

Word on Fire is founded upon and intent on prioritizing its Catholic religious mission and principles above all else. Word on Fire's religious mission may therefore require that it make employment decisions based on an individual's religion and adherence to the principles of the Catholic Church.