At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead social-first strategies and shape innovative campaigns for major brands.
- Company: Join Havas Play, a dynamic agency at the forefront of culture marketing.
- Benefits: Collaborative environment, creative freedom, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements with a vibrant team atmosphere.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that drives cultural impact and engages with diverse communities.
- Qualifications: Experience in social strategy and a passion for contemporary culture.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
About Havas Play
At Havas Play, we build brands in culture. As an integrated culture marketing agency, we create culture-first 360 campaigns that sit in the space between traditional advertising and media - connected through culture, powered by partnerships, creators, talent, media and experiences.
The Opportunity
We are looking for a Senior Strategist (Social) to support strategic social-first thinking across major client relationships and help shape Havas Play’s offer across the social and creator landscape. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a growing social strategy team: We’re looking for someone immersed in social innovation and culturally fluent, with a strong sense of strategic rigour to bring fresh thinking to the team.
Core Responsibilities
- Champion social-first thinking and audience-centred approaches across client work, new business and internal initiatives.
- Maintain a strong understanding of contemporary culture, communities, behaviours and social platforms.
- Unearth and apply social and cultural intelligence to strategy and creative help brands participate credibly and effectively in culture.
- Translate business challenges into clear strategic questions and opportunities.
- Lead and contribute to the development of strategic workstreams across a diverse range of brands and rights holders.
- Develop robust strategic recommendations grounded in audience understanding, cultural insight and platform behaviour.
- Produce clear, inspiring and actionable briefs for Play creative teams.
- Identify emerging trends, shifts and opportunities relevant to client categories and audiences.
- Demonstrate an understanding of client business challenges and commercial objectives.
- Support senior team members in managing strategic relationships and opportunities for growth.
- Work with cross-agency teams on new client and new business opportunities, leading on social workstreams.
- Contribute to agency thought-leadership, marketing initiatives and new business opportunities when required.
Expectations
- Strategic Craft
- Produces strategic thinking that is insightful, clear and commercially relevant.
- Connects audience understanding, cultural insight and business objectives effectively.
- Frames problems and opportunities in ways that unlock creative and social solutions.
- Owns the development of a strategic point of view on social ecosystems.
- Culture & Social Expertise
- Demonstrates strong judgement around brand participation in culture.
- Maintains a strong understanding of creator ecosystems, online communities and platform-native behaviour.
- Uses social intelligence and audience signals to identify emerging cultural opportunities and shifts.
- Demonstrates strong judgement in how brands engage with creators, communities and culture in credible and relevant ways.
- Understands how subcultures, fandoms and interest-based communities shape conversation and influence behaviour.
- Collaboration & Leadership
- Supports the wider agency in strengthening its social, influencer and culture-led strategy capabilities.
- Builds strong working relationships across disciplines and teams in Play and beyond.
- Manages workstreams with multiple collaborators and stakeholders.
- Supports and develops junior team members: knowledge-sharing, upskilling and coaching.
- Measurement & Effectiveness
- Define success frameworks and KPIs that connect activity to brand and commercial outcomes.
- Work with client, creative, data and insight teams to ensure delivery against strategic objectives.
- Use campaign performance and learning to continuously refine and evolve strategy.
Personal Qualities
- Strategic, curious and culturally engaged.
- Creatively ambitious with strong judgement.
- Collaborative, generous and team-oriented.
- Clear and persuasive communicator, able to simplify complexity.
- Passionate about creating effective work that earns attention and drives impact.
Working Arrangements
- Office presence: 3 days per week with the Havas Play team.
- Travel: Occasional travel for client meetings and events.
Why Join Havas Play?
This is an opportunity to join an agency built around creativity that drives impact, and to play a leading role in shaping how brands win in culture. You will work with ambitious clients, talented collaborators and a team that values smart thinking, strong partnerships and exceptional work.
Contract Type: Permanent
Here at Havas across the group we pride ourselves on being committed to offering equal opportunities to all potential employees and have zero tolerance for discrimination. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applicants irrespective of age, sex, race, ethnicity, disability and other factors that have no bearing on an individual’s ability to perform their job.
Senior Social Strategist in London employer: Havas Group
Havas Media Network is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture in Manchester that prioritises collaboration, innovation, and personal growth. With a strong emphasis on inclusivity and support, employees are empowered to develop their skills while working on prestigious accounts within a dynamic team of digital experts. The company fosters a commitment to meaningful outcomes, ensuring that every team member contributes to impactful results for clients and enjoys a fulfilling career journey.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Social Strategist in London
✨Show Your Creative Side
In marketing communications, standing out is key. Get creative with your application! Consider designing a mini-campaign or pitch that highlights your skills and understanding of the brand. Tailor it for Havas Group and show them what you can bring to the table.
✨Engage in Marketing Communities
Get involved in local or online marketing communications groups. Check out platforms like Meetup for events and workshops. Networking here can lead to hidden job openings and valuable insights into the industry trends—this is where we often discover what companies like Havas Group are looking for.
✨Leverage Social Media
Use platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to showcase your passion for marketing communications. Share insights, articles, and your own content that resonates with the industry. Tagging or interacting with Havas Group on these platforms can catch the eye of recruiters and show you're genuinely interested in them.
✨Attend Industry Events
Keep an eye out for marketing conferences and workshops. These are great places to meet potential employers face-to-face and make connections that could land you a full-time role at Havas Group. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Social Strategist in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft an Impactful Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Focus on your passion for marketing communications and how your previous experiences can benefit Havas Group. Make sure to mention specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on that showcase your creativity and strategic thinking.
Showcase Your Writing Skills:As you're diving into a marketing communications role, your writing ability is crucial. Include samples of your work, like blog posts, press releases, or social media campaigns in your application. This lets us see your style and how you engage with different audiences.
Tailor Your CV to Marketing:Your CV should highlight relevant marketing skills and experiences! Include specific tools or platforms you’ve used, like Google Analytics or social media management software. Mention any certifications or workshops related to marketing that you've completed – they can give you an edge!
Demonstrate Your Understanding of Havas Group:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Havas Group’s marketing approach or any recent campaigns that caught your attention. This can reveal your enthusiasm for the role and your genuine interest in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Havas Group
✨Showcase Your Creative Campaigns
Get ready to flaunt your portfolio! Include examples of previous marketing campaigns you've worked on, especially those that showcase your creativity and strategy. Recruiters at Havas Group will be keen to see how you conceptualise and execute campaigns, so highlight any measurable outcomes to back up your claims.
✨Know Your Digital Tools Inside Out
If you’re heading into a marketing-communications role, make sure you're comfortable discussing key digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot, or Hootsuite. Expect some technical questions about how you've used these tools in the past, as they'll want to gauge your hands-on experience and how you analyse data to drive marketing decisions.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
At Havas Group, they may throw some scenario-based questions your way, aimed at testing your problem-solving skills in real-life marketing situations. Think through potential challenges you’ve faced, how you navigated them, and be prepared to discuss your thought process and outcome.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Marketing
As you’re applying for a full-time position, show that you're not just looking for a job, but a career in marketing. Talk about the latest trends in marketing communications, your favourite campaigns, and why they inspire you. Your enthusiasm can really make you stand out and demonstrate that you’re committed to growing within the field.
