Social Media Account Director (Sport): Motorsport + Rugby

Senior client and social growth lead working closely with an integral client for the agency spanning two global sporting rights holders – World Supercross and a brand-new rugby series. Own strategy, delivery, reporting and account growth – with a team spanning social managers, paid managers and a dotted line into design and video production. Built for someone who is hands‑on, thrives in live sport environments, and knows how to hack growth (not just post content).

THE OPPORTUNITY AND THE NEW is an award-winning social-first strategic marketing agency. We are defined by our obsession to inspire and engage audiences through their passions across sports, entertainment, and culture. We’re hiring a Social Media Account Director / Social Lead to help us scale into 2026 — starting with one of our most important relationships overseeing the growth of two global sporting leagues. Over the last three months alone, we’ve taken World Supercross from 9 M views to 125 M organic views across social channels and we’ve proven what’s possible when social is treated like a publisher, not a posting schedule. Now we need a senior leader who can take the wheel, lead the team, own the client relationship, and drive growth as the agency continues to expand.

This is a role for someone who:

• understands the difference between content output and brand growth
• can build a strategy that builds fandom and followership
• can lead calm, clear delivery in a startup‑speed environment

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Client leadership and account ownership: Be the senior day‑to‑day client contact — lead weekly status, guide priorities, manage expectations, and handle fast feedback loops. Take full ownership of delivery standards across organic, paid (via Paid Social Manager), community (via Social Managers), and creators. Own reporting narratives: not just “what happened”, but what it means, what we’ll do next, and what we’re recommending proactively.
• Social strategy (publisher mindset): Build strategies that grow followers and audience value — across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube (short + long), Facebook, and emerging platforms. Turn platform signals into action: hooks, retention, repeat views, packaging, cadence, series/franchises, community mechanics, distribution tactics. Create and evolve always‑on content systems outside of season to keep growth compounding.
• Live sport execution (in‑season intensity): Lead live social coverage in high‑pressure environments (rights‑holder level). Build run‑of‑show plans for event days, manage approvals, and drive volume with quality. Be flexible with travel and working patterns during season.
• Creative direction & quality control: Set the creative bar: what “great” looks like per platform, per audience, per moment. Lead ideation and be hands‑on when needed — scripting, framing, reviewing edits, improving “packaging”. Work closely with the Content Production Director and production team to ensure output is fast, sharp, and on‑brand.
• Growth partnerships: creators & influencers: Identify when creators/influencers unlock growth and sponsorship value. Work with your team to brief and oversee creator workstreams.
• Commercial & agency growth: Own scopes, resourcing, forecasting and account health (with senior level support). Spot and pitch proactive opportunities to expand client scope. Support new business: input into pitches, strategy sections, and social growth POV.

REQUIREMENTS

• 6+ years in social/content roles, with meaningful time in an agency or sports rights‑holder/publisher environment.
• Proven track record driving sports/entertainment social growth (followers + views + watch time).
• Deep platform understanding (Instagram/TikTok/YouTube/Facebook) and how algorithms actually behave.
• Confident client leader: can run meetings, guide stakeholders, and bring calm under pressure.
• Strong operational brain: planning, timelines, approvals, workflow, and making teams run well.
• Hands‑on mentality — you’ll lead from the front (no ivory tower).
• Comfortable working at high pace with imperfect briefs (startup‑like client environment).
• Must be able to work weekends and evenings when required and be flexible about working patterns to attend international sports events.
• Be creatively minded with a passion for experimenting with new ideas and concepts.

NICE TO HAVES (BIG PLUS)

• Even more bonus points if you have experience with or knowledge of motocross/supercross.
• Experience launching a new league/property or building a fanbase from an early stage.
• Experience using community mechanics (e.g., groups, collabs, creators, ambassadors) to drive outsized growth.

BENEFITS

• 25 days’ holiday + bank holidays + birthday off.
• Hybrid working (2 days in Central London office).
• International travel opportunities to races and global events.
• Employee Lifestyle and Discounts Benefits scheme.
• Annual training budget to drive your personal development and continual learning in an area of your choice.
• Free gym membership
• Free in‑office barista coffee
• Enrolment into the agency‑wide profit‑sharing bonus scheme.
• Opportunity to grow with a rising agency making award‑winning work.

We actively welcome applicants from all backgrounds, experiences, and industries. At AND THE NEW, we believe great ideas are born from difference and we’re building a team that reflects that.