Digital Advertising Specialist (Independent Contractor)

ITHAKA’s mission is to expand access to knowledge and education around the world. Our services — JSTOR, Portico, and Ithaka S+R — enable people everywhere to learn, to grow, and to overcome barriers to education. In carrying out our mission, as employees we feel a deep responsibility to members of our community and to each other, and we are committed to building and sustaining a culture where everyone can thrive.

The Role

The ITHAKA marketing team seeks an independent contractor for the role of Digital Advertising Specialist (Independent Contractor) to enhance and execute digital marketing activities, particularly in paid search and paid social media advertising. In this role, you will focus on managing and optimizing Google Ads and LinkedIn campaigns, with an emphasis on ad account management, strategic audience targeting, ad development, performance tracking, and evidence-based adjustments to ad campaign strategies. You are expected to work remotely from within the continental United States, dedicating approximately 20-25 hours per month, with potential adjustments based on campaign needs and seasonal trends. This role offers a unique opportunity to collaborate with a mission-driven organization dedicated to expanding global access to knowledge and education.

Objectives

• Increase brand awareness, engagement, and conversions through digital advertising.

• Optimize ad spend for maximum ROI.

• Implement data-driven ad strategies.

• Align advertising efforts with overall campaign marketing goals across ITHAKA’s portfolio of products and services.

Scope of Services

Strategy and Planning

• Conduct market research and gain an understanding of the organization’s brands, products, services, and marketing objectives.

• Support definition of target audiences and buyer personas.

• Identify digital advertising opportunities aligned with business goals.

• Identify metrics for campaign measurement.

Campaign Development and Execution

Paid search advertising (Google Ads):

• Develop and refine paid search strategies aligned with JSTOR’s mission and goals.

• Manage and optimize ITHAKA’s Google Ads account, including Google for Nonprofits grant utilization.

• Conduct keyword research to inform high-performing ad copy.

• Monitor and optimize budget pacing, bid strategies, and audience targeting.

Paid social media advertising (LinkedIn):

• Strategize and execute LinkedIn ad campaigns tailored to ITHAKA’s audiences.

• Manage audience segmentation and targeting to improve engagement.

• Consult on compelling ad copy and collaborate on creative assets.

Optimization, Performance Tracking, and Reporting

• Monitor ad performance and make real-time adjustments to improve campaign performance.

• Conduct A/B testing on copy, creative, and targeting.

• Optimize and deliver regular performance reports on key metrics such as impressions, clicks, CTR, audience engagement, conversions, CPC, and ROAS, and surface insights to continually refine campaigns.

• Manage budgets and adjust bids based on performance insights.

• Deliver insights and recommendations for continuous improvement.

Collaboration and Compliance

• Effectively communicate and collaborate with internal teams and stakeholders, ensuring seamless coordination.

• Ensure all ads meet platform guidelines and industry best practices.

• Stay updated on digital advertising trends and algorithm changes.

• Be a self-starter with a high level of accountability and the ability to manage projects independently and meet deadlines in a remote work environment.

Deliverables

• Digital advertising implementation plan.

• Optimized campaigns and recommendations for scaling.

• Ad creative (copy, graphics, videos) in partnership with digital marketing and creative teams.

• Performance reports with actionable insights.

Timeline and Milestones

• Engagement begins upon execution of the contract/SOW.

• The contract will operate on a month-to-month basis, with regular evaluations to assess effectiveness and alignment with business needs.

Work Authorization and Sponsorship

ITHAKA is not currently considering candidates who require any type of immigration sponsorship (additional work authorization or permanent work authorization), now or in the future, in order to work in the United States.

Compensation

At ITHAKA we believe in openness and equity. Part of living those values is our commitment to clarity about salary ranges, so candidates know what to expect. The starting pay for this freelance position ranges from $75 to $100 per hour. Hourly pay may vary with job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

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Work for ITHAKA

We are committed to our organizational values of belonging, evidence, speed, teamwork, and trust. We take seriously the need for everyone to feel welcome. Belonging is one of our core values, and it shows in our vibrant culture. People from a wide range of backgrounds work at ITHAKA, and we believe that unique perspectives help us realize new insights and build better solutions.

We want to work with people who are passionate about ideas like these and who wish to contribute their perspectives and talents to ITHAKA’s mission. We enthusiastically welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and credentials. We want to hear your story and include your perspective in the transformative work we aim to do.

Learn more about Working at ITHAKA.

Apply Now

Although ITHAKA has physical offices in New York and Ann Arbor, Michigan, our employees are distributed across the continental United States. At this time, we’re not considering candidates who are unable to work and reside in the continental U.S.

Candidates may apply by submitting an application online through our career site, if you have any questions about your application, please contact us at [email protected]. ITHAKA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations, if there’s anything we can do to accommodate any portion of the application or hiring process, please contact us at [email protected].

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to identity or other status protected by law. We invite you to read our Equal Employment Opportunity Statement. ITHAKA cares about your privacy, learn more about our Applicant Privacy Notice.