Content Strategist & Ideator

Company Description The School of Hard Knocks LLC is a fast-growing media and content agency with over 23 million followers across social media platforms. We specialize in viral, interview-based content that educates and inspires entrepreneurs and young professionals on business, financial literacy, and personal branding. Our done-for-you content agency manages short-form video strategy, production, and distribution for a portfolio of business-focused personal brands. We handle everything, editing, posting, and strategy, across TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Our clients trust us to make them look brilliant online. Your job is to make sure they actually are. Role Description We are hiring a full-time Content Strategist & Ideator to serve as the creative engine behind our clients' content. This is not a generalist social media role, we need someone who lives and breathes short-form video, obsesses over what makes content stop the scroll, and can translate that instinct into repeatable, scalable strategy across a diverse roster of business and personal brand clients. You will own the ideation, hook development, and content strategy for all agency clients. You will work closely with our account managers, editors, and leadership to ensure every piece of content is built on a strong strategic foundation. This is a high-impact, high-visibility role, our clients' results begin with your ideas. Key Responsibilities Content Strategy & Ideation • Develop monthly content strategies and video ideation calendars for each agency client • Write and refine high-performing hooks tailored to each client's niche, audience, and platform • Research trending topics, formats, and sounds and translate them into client-specific opportunities • Build repeatable content frameworks and series concepts that can sustain long-term audience growth • Stay ahead of algorithm changes across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube Shorts, and LinkedIn Client Collaboration • Collaborate with account managers to understand each client's voice, goals, and brand positioning • Review client content and provide strategic direction to editors and account managers based on performance data • Participate in client strategy calls when deeper content consultation is needed • Adapt strategies quickly based on what's working and what isn't, you're data-informed, not data-dependent Performance & Optimization • Analyze content performance across client accounts and identify patterns that drive views, followers, and engagement • Maintain a running swipe file and trend library to inform ongoing ideation • Contribute to internal strategy docs, SOPs, and playbooks that raise the bar across the agency Must-Have Qualifications • Demonstrated ability to generate high-performing short-form content ideas, you can show us proof, not just talk about it • Deep fluency in TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts, you understand what works and why • Exceptional hook-writing ability: you know how to open a video in a way that makes people stop, watch, and share • Experience developing content strategy across multiple niches or client types (agency experience is a major plus) • Strong understanding of personal branding and business-focused content, our clients are entrepreneurs, executives, and thought leaders • Excellent written communication: you can brief an editor or account manager clearly and concisely • Highly organized and self-directed: you can manage multiple client strategies simultaneously without dropping the ball Preferred Qualifications • Portfolio of content strategy work showing measurable results (views, follower growth, engagement lifts) • Experience working in a content agency or managing content for multiple brands simultaneously • Personal social media presence with evidence of growth or viral success • Familiarity with analytics platforms (TikTok Analytics, Meta Insights, YouTube Studio) • Understanding of monetization strategies for personal brands and creators • Copywriting or scriptwriting experience, you can write a concept brief that an editor can actually execute on Expectations • Full-time remote role with standard business hours (9am–5pm CST), with occasional flexibility for client needs • Reliable computer, high-speed internet, and camera required • Fast, responsive communication via Slack during working hours, our team moves quickly • You will be expected to produce a high volume of ideas without sacrificing quality, volume and quality are not optional trade-offs here • Ownership mindset, if a client's content isn't landing, you don't wait to be asked. You diagnose, iterate, and bring solutions Compensation This is a full-time salaried role. Compensation is commensurate with experience. Salary Range: $80,000 – $100,000/year Top performers have the opportunity to grow with the agency as our client roster scales, so does your impact and compensation. Note from the Hiring Manager This role is for the person who can't scroll TikTok without mentally reverse-engineering why something went viral. You see a hook and immediately think of three better versions. You notice a trending format and already know which of our clients should be using it by Monday. We don't need someone who can talk about content strategy. We need someone who can actually do it at scale, across industries, and week after week without running dry. If you have a genuine obsession with short-form content and love helping business brands grow, this is the role you've been waiting for. Show us your best work. We want to see ideas, not just credentials.