Title: Specialist, Communications (Digital Media)

Department: Foundation for Physical Therapy Research

FLSA Status: Full-time, Exempt

Location: This position is located onsite at the APTA headquarters in Alexandria, VA.

About the Foundation

The Foundation for Physical Therapy Research is the only national nonprofit solely dedicated to funding physical therapy research and promising researchers through grants, scholarships, and fellowships. Through these investments, researchers go on to yield exceptional research that helps us learn more about the efficacy of physical therapy practices, pioneer breakthrough treatments, and build the evidence-base to define the value of physical therapy among payers, other health care professions, and patients.

The Foundation is an affiliate of the American Physical Therapy Association. Foundation staff are employed by APTA and receive the same employee benefits and adhere to APTA policies and procedures.

About APTA

Do you want to contribute to an organization dedicated to improving societal health? Would you like to collaborate with colleagues who are passionate about making a difference? Are you excited to work in a new state-of-the-art building designed to encourage movement, participation, and employee health?

Then you want to work for APTA!

APTA is the trusted leader for the physical therapy profession, representing more than 100,000 physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and physical therapy students. Our approximately 150 employees support the association’s mission to build a community that advances the profession of physical therapy to improve the health of society.

Located in Alexandria, Virginia, APTA has outstanding employee benefits, including flexible work schedules, generous retirement contributions, and travel subsidies for employees who choose public and active transportation.

Summary

The Specialist, Communications (Digital Media) will shape and maintain the Foundation’s digital presence. Working closely with the Manager of Communications and Marketing, this role develops and optimizes digital content including graphics, videos, social media, and email campaigns to engage audiences, elevate brand awareness, and deliver measurable impact across platforms. This position is also responsible for website updates. The ideal candidate will combine creative storytelling with technical expertise in digital marketing tools, ensuring that all campaigns are visually compelling, strategically targeted, and aligned with organizational goals.

In this role, you will collaborate closely with the development, scientific programs, and event teams to develop content supporting campaigns, donor stewardship, events, and programmatic initiatives. By combining creativity with digital strategy, you will amplify our message, strengthen audience connections, and drive meaningful impact.

Essential Functions

Social Media Management

• Plan and develop social media campaigns from concept to final production with defined KPIs.
• Plan and schedule posts across platforms using scheduling software such as Hootsuite (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X/Twitter, YouTube, etc.).
• Monitor engagement, respond to comments/messages, and grow audience reach.
• Analyze running campaigns.
• Track social media trends and recommend new strategies.
• Plan, launch, and optimize paid campaigns (Google Ads, Meta Ads, LinkedIn Ads, etc.)
• Monitor campaign budgets and performance.
• Develop, design, and publish digital content across platforms (social media, websites, blogs, newsletters, emails, ads).
• Collaborate with Development and Scientific Programs departments to develop relevant and appealing content targeted for specific audiences.
• Design and produce graphics, layouts, and digital assets (social media graphics, event collateral, infographics, email banners, web images, presentations) that align with brand guidelines.

Website & Email Marketing

• Update and maintain website content using WordPress.
• Ensure brand consistency, accessibility, and mobile responsiveness across all pages.
• Implement basic SEO strategies (meta tags, alt text, keywords, linking) to improve visibility.
• Coordinate with developers or vendors for larger website updates.
• Monitor site performance, track analytics, and recommend improvements.
• Create landing pages for campaigns, events, or fundraising initiatives.
• Develop and format content for email marketing campaigns and newsletters for multiple audiences.

Staff Expectations

• Upholds and fosters team values
• Complies with all APTA policies and procedures
• Performs other duties as assigned to foster the achievement of association priorities

Qualifications

• Some college; Bachelor's Degree preferred, or equivalent experience
• Three to five years of social media management experience, including some paid campaign development and optimization experience
• Proven ability to plan, execute, and analyze digital marketing initiatives across platforms using tools like Hootsuite
• Skilled in content creation, including video editing, graphic design, email marketing, and visual storytelling
• Proficient in Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, or comparable design and editing tools
• Solid understanding of social media best practices (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X/Twitter) and basic SEO principles
• Strong writing, editing, and visual communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects and collaborate across teams
• Familiarity with project management software (e.g., Asana, Trello)
• Working knowledge of WordPress or similar content management systems for general web edits
• Comfortable leveraging AI tools to enhance productivity and streamline workflows
• Experience with nonprofit communications and/or healthcare-related content is a plus

Travel Requirements

0 - 10% - local, National

How To Apply

Please send resume and cover letter, including salary requirements, when applying.

Principals only; no agencies; no phone calls, please. Candidates selected to participate in an interview will be contacted by Human Resources.

The American Physical Therapy Association is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or military status or any other characteristic protected by law.

APTA participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For more information, please visit e-verify.uscis.gov.

APTA is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and invites and welcomes applicants with diversity of experience, mindset, and skills to add value to APTA and our staff community.

About American Physical Therapy Association

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) is an individual membership professional organization representing more than 100,000 member physical therapists (PTs), physical therapist assistants (PTAs), and students of physical therapy. APTA seeks to improve the health and quality of life of individuals in society by advancing physical therapist practice, education, and research, and by increasing the awareness and understanding of physical therapy's role in the nation's health care system.APTA prohibits preferential or adverse discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, gender, age, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, or health status in all areas including, but not limited to, its qualifications for membership, rights of members, policies, programs, activities, and employment practices. APTA is committed to promoting cultural diversity throughout the profession.APTA is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and invites and welcomes applicants with diversity of experience, mindset, and skills to add value to APTA and our staff commUNITY.

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