Social Media Ambassador

About Japan Society

Japan Society is the premier organization connecting Japanese arts, culture, business, and society with audiences in New York and around the world. At Japan Society, we are inspired by the Japanese concept of kizuna(絆)—forging deep connections to bind people together. We are committed to telling the story of Japan while strengthening connections within New York City and building new bridges beyond. In over 100 years of work, we’ve inspired generations by establishing ourselves as pioneers in supporting international exchanges in arts and culture, business and policy, as well as education between Japan and the U.S.

Now, more than ever, we strive to convene important conversations on topics that bind our two countries together, champion the next generation of innovative creators, promote mutual understanding, and serve as a trusted guide for people everywhere who seek to more fully appreciate the rich complexities and abundance of Japan. From our New York headquarters, a landmark building designed by architect Junzo Yoshimura that opened to the public in 1971, we look forward to the years ahead, which will be defined by our digital and ideational impact through the kizuna that we build. Our future can only be enhanced by learning from our peers and engaging with our audiences, both near and afar.

The Opportunity

Japan Society is looking for a digital-native, highly reliable individual to join our community as a Volunteer Social Media Ambassador.

Partnering directly with the Marketing Manager, your primary focus will be capturing the energy of our membership and public events to create compelling, cross-platform content. We are looking for someone who understands how to translate in-person experiences into engaging digital narratives that bridge American and Japanese audiences.

Because you will be out on the floor capturing content, you will also serve as a frontline representative of Japan Society. We need someone who is outgoing, eloquent, and comfortable pausing to answer guest questions or converse with attendees professionally.

What You Will Do

• Attend weekly Japan Society events (primarily on-site, occasionally off-site) to capture high-quality video and photo content.
• Produce, edit, and optimize engaging Reels and Stories to recap events and promote future programming across Instagram, TikTok, Threads, LinkedIn, X, BlueSky, and Facebook.
• Serve as a digital brand ambassador, ensuring all published content is not only creative and optimized for specific platforms, but remains strictly aligned with Japan Society’s visual and tonal brand identity.
• Act as an approachable and knowledgeable representative for the Society while operating on the event floor.

Who You Are

• A natural digital storyteller who is deeply aware of current social media formats and possesses the ability to communicate effectively with a cross-generational digital audience.
• A strategic creator who knows how to balance the fast-paced nature of social media with the responsibility of maintaining the high-quality, professional aesthetic of a major cultural institution. In other words: you know how to feed the algorithm and jump on the latest trend without breaking the brand.
• Highly reliable and professional. You know how to read a room, interact gracefully with guests of all ages, and operate independently during busy events.
• A strong portfolio speaks louder than a specific degree or enrollment status. Whether you are currently in college, recently graduated, or self-taught, we care most about your proven ability to create compelling digital content.
• Bonus points if you have proficiency with a DSLR camera.
• Bonus points if you speak conversational Japanese or possess a strong understanding of Japanese cultural nuances.

Commitment

Requires evenings (6:30-9 PM) and select weekends to capture live events. We also ask for on-site availability on Thursdays during business hours for team check-ins and alignment.

Mentorship & Perks

We are committed to making this a highly valuable and accessible experience for our volunteers:

• Portfolio Building & Academic Credit: For early-career creators, we are dedicated to ensuring this serves as a high-impact mentorship and portfolio-building opportunity. If you are a student seeking academic credit, Japan Society will fully cooperate with your academic institution to fulfill all necessary requirements.
• Expense Reimbursement: Travel and meal expenses will be fully reimbursed for all required on-site and evening events.
• Access: Volunteers receive free access to many of our internal programs and complimentary admission to member museums of the New York Council of Museums.

How to Apply

To be considered for this volunteer opportunity, you must submit a portfolio of your work. Please send your resume along with links or attachments showcasing Reels, TikToks, or Stories that you have personally filmed and edited.