Contractor; Non-Exempt; Hybrid: Virtual & Boston Area

About Cortico

Cortico is a non-profit committed to fostering constructive conversations and surfacing underheard voices. We believe that intentionally designed and intentionally deployed technology can enable communities to achieve these aims in ways that are more inclusive and scalable.

Our platform brings people together in recorded small-group conversations. Through a powerful combination of AI and human listening, this platform enables organizations to make sense of the conversations they collect, and surfaces community voices into public dialogue and decision making.

Communities have used our platform to lift up voices and perspectives in the selection of Madison, WI’s police chief and the election of Boston’s mayor. Local newsrooms have used our platform to understand citizen agendas and include underheard voices directly in their reporting. Global nonprofits are using our platform to elevate conversations on climate from around the world. Local non-profits have used our platform to surface experiences of people in the margins and amplify their voices through artist collaborations.

Cortico’s unique human/machine system is the product of an effort led by Cortico in cooperation with MIT’s Center for Constructive Communication (MIT CCC).

About this role

Cortico and a related organization are looking for a contractor to serve as a “constant storytelling” presence across both organizations. This person ensures that the impact of our research, programs, and community partnerships is communicated compellingly and consistently to the audiences who need to hear it — from social media followers to civic leaders to potential partners.

This role sits at the intersection of content strategy, video production, graphic design, and social media management. You’ll own the day-to-day multimedia output of two mission-aligned organizations, building systems and content that bring our work to life across platforms.

This is a role for someone who is equally comfortable picking up a camera at a community event, editing a short-form video for Instagram, and thinking strategically about how content ladders up to organizational goals.

This role will work 15-20 hours per week for each of the two organizations. It is hybrid in nature, working both virtually and in Cambridge, MA. The pay rate is $30/hour. Contractors are not employees and are not eligible for employee benefits.

About our AI approach

At Cortico, we recognize the complexity of building technology that thoughtfully balances human judgement and AI capabilities. We want to avoid push-button AI and instead champion responsible and responsive AI approaches that emphasize transparency, security, human agency, and collaboration.

About you

• You’re a natural storyteller who can spot a compelling moment — in a research milestone, a partner conversation, or a community gathering — and know instinctively how to translate it into content.
• You move fast without sacrificing quality. You’re comfortable producing short-form video content on a tight turnaround and adapting on the fly when priorities shift.
• You’re platform-native, with an intuitive feel for what resonates on Instagram vs. LinkedIn vs. YouTube and why.
• You’re self-directed and editorially confident, comfortable making judgment calls and executing without needing extensive direction.
• You’re a systems thinker who can build and maintain content calendars, asset libraries, and production workflows that keep two organizations aligned.
• You’re aligned with Cortico’s commitment to equity, inclusion, and community-centered practice.

Responsibilities

• Be the Storytelling Presence Across Both Organizations: Proactively identify and surface content opportunities from day-to-day work, partner interactions, research milestones, and community conversations — acting as an embedded journalist as much as a content producer.
• Produce Multimedia Content: Develop and produce short-form video content in standardized formats (5-second, 32-second, and 1-minute videos), as well as photography, graphics, and other visual assets that communicate impact across digital channels.
• Manage Social Media: Own and grow CCC and Cortico’s presence across platforms including Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube — writing copy, creating graphics, editing video, and engaging communities in ways that are authentic to each platform.
• Develop and Maintain Content Systems: Build and manage a shared digital content calendar, production timelines, and asset archives that keep both organizations coordinated and on-brand.
• Repurpose Long-Form Content: Transform research papers, event recordings, and conversation highlights into engaging multimedia formats suited for digital audiences.
• Track and Report on Performance: Monitor engagement metrics and platform analytics; use data to refine content strategy and report on audience growth and performance.
• Capture Events and Activities: Provide real-time and edited multimedia coverage of events, community conversations, and partner activities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Multimedia Content Experience: 3+ years of experience in multimedia content creation, digital communications, or a related field, preferably in a nonprofit, academic, or mission-driven organization.
• Video Production Skills: Demonstrated video production and editing skills — with an emphasis on speed and adaptability — including proficiency with tools such as Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or comparable software.
• Graphic Design Capabilities: Experience creating visual assets for research reports, event materials, presentations, and social media using Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), Figma, Canva Pro, or comparable tools.
• Social Media Management: Proven ability to manage social media accounts and develop content strategies that grow audiences and drive engagement.
• Strong Communication Skills: Excellent written and visual communication skills, with the ability to translate complex or technical material into accessible, engaging content.
• Organizational Skills: Experience managing digital content calendars and working within content management systems, with the ability to manage multiple projects across two organizations with competing priorities.
• Portfolio: A portfolio demonstrating range across video, graphic design, social media content, and digital storytelling.

About next steps

Please apply here and include the following information.

• In lieu of a cover letter, please answer the application question: tell us a little about you, sharing with us why this role excites you and how you see yourself in this work. 
• Attach your résumé or CV
• A portfolio or samples of your work (video, social content, graphic design, or any combination)

About our process

We aim to review and respond to all applicants within three weeks of submission. Our interview process includes two rounds that include:

1. Initial screening interview 
2. Interview key stakeholders

Through all of these sessions we make sure that you have plenty of time to ask questions of us.