ITHAKA’s mission is to expand access to knowledge and education around the world. Our services — Artstor, JSTOR, Portico, and Ithaka S+R — enable people everywhere to learn, to grow, and to overcome historical barriers to education. In carrying out our mission, as employees we feel a deep responsibility to each other and our well-being, and are committed to building and sustaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace.

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.

#LI-JS1 #LI-REMOTE

Work for ITHAKA

We are committed to our organizational values of belonging, evidence, speed, teamwork, and trust. We take inclusion seriously. 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 underrepresented 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 careers@ithaka.org. 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 accommodations@ithaka.org.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, domestic violence victim status, veteran status, disability, history of disability or perceived disability, or other status protected by law. We invite you to read our Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Statement. ITHAKA cares about your privacy, learn more about our Applicant Privacy Notice.

Qualifications

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

Benefits

This role offers a unique opportunity to collaborate with a mission-driven organization dedicated to expanding global access to knowledge and education
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

Responsibilities

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
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
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
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
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
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
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

Digital Advertising Specialist (independent Contractor)

Job Type