At a Glance
- Tasks: Build our digital presence through TikTok, newsletters, and crowdfunding campaigns.
- Company: Shapeshifter Books, a radical independent picture book publisher launching in 2026.
- Benefits: Gain hands-on experience in digital content creation and social media strategy.
- Other info: Network with hiring managers and contribute to meaningful projects in children's publishing.
- Why this job: Shape the identity of a new children's publisher while championing equality and climate action.
- Qualifications: Exceptional writing skills and strong knowledge of TikTok and design platforms like Canva.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 30000 £ per year.
Please note, this opportunity is only available to Manchester Met 2025 graduates who will be based in the UK for the duration of this role. You must have graduated from an undergraduate course from Manchester Met in June 2025 to apply. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept applications from current or previous postgraduate students.
Shapeshifter Books is a new radical independent picture book publisher launching July 2026. Our mission is to create beautiful, boundary-breaking stories that champion equality themes, children’s rights and climate action. Our books will be funded directly by readers through crowdfunding campaigns on our owned media. They will not be available in bookshops, offline or online.
The main purpose of this role is to build our digital presence and audience, by:
- Developing our TikTok channel
- Producing a pilot issue of the digital 'Shapeshifting' magazine for subscribers
- Helping to develop a crowdfunding campaign for our first title, Zane Loves Monsters
It’s a hands-on opportunity to shape the early identity of a new children’s publisher, gaining broad experience across digital content creation, social strategy, and business-to-consumer enterprise.
Responsibilities:
- Social media (esp TikTok) strategy, content creation, execution & analytics
- Coordinate content, layout and distribution of first issue of digital newsletter magazine, Shapeshifting
- Support development of and content for crowdfunding "sales" campaign
- Take the lead on developing TikTok as a new channel, including setting up the account, shaping an early content strategy, and coordinating launch plan and produce a regular flow of TikTok content to build audience engagement
- Adapt and repurpose TikTok content for Instagram, helping extend reach across platforms
- Monitor TikTok and Instagram performance and contribute to basic reporting
- Coordinate editorial planner, support content commissioning and support image sourcing for Shapeshifting magazine
- Use Canva (or alternative) templates to lay out and finalise each issue ahead of publication
- Help manage the subscriber list, including processing sign-ups and keeping records up to date, and support the distribution of the first edition to subscribers
- Upload extracts and previews of magazine content to the website
- Contribute to development of crowdfunding campaign content (text, visuals, video) for first book title, Zane Loves Monsters
- Help schedule campaign content across platform
- Research and identify potential suppliers for merchandise and print production
Skills & Development:
- Editorial planning, content commissioning, copywriting and editing
- Digital design, layout and publishing (using Canva or alternative)
- Subscriber and customer relationship management
- Social media strategy and channel growth (TikTok-led)
- Social campaign development, short-form video and other social content creation, cross-platform content adaptation
- Performance monitoring and basic analytics reporting
- Supplier research and procurement basics
Assessment Process:
- Opportunity to network with Hiring Managers to discuss their role
- Group task
Manchester Metropolitan University is committed to supporting the rights, responsibilities, dignity, health and wellbeing of staff and students through our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing accessible and inclusive recruitment. If you require or would benefit from support or reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and in work, please contact us by e-mailing [email protected]. This information will only be used and shared with those who require it to implement any change(s) and only at the point this is required.
This role is only open to those who graduated from a Manchester Met undergraduate course in June 2025 and are not currently studying, nor have previously studied, on a postgraduate course.
The ideal candidate will have the following:
- Exceptional written English, with attention to tone, grammar, clarity
- Excellent, hands-on knowledge of social media platforms, with particular strength in TikTok
- Confident, adept use of design platforms such as Canva (or alternatives: Adobe, Photoshop, InDesign)
- Skilled in filming and editing video using smartphones, or using other filmmaking methods or equipment
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple ongoing tasks
Desirable:
- Comfort with spreadsheets or simple databases, for subscriber records and basic reporting
- Website design or content management (we use Squarespace)
- A proactive, self-directed approach to research and problem-solving
- Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with external contacts
- An interest in or affinity with children’s publishing, storytelling, or creative content
Digital Content and Social Media Marketing Executive in Manchester employer: Manchester Metropolitan University
Shapeshifter Books is an exciting new independent publisher that offers a unique opportunity for Manchester Met 2025 graduates to shape the future of children's literature. With a strong commitment to equality, children's rights, and climate action, our collaborative work culture fosters creativity and innovation, allowing employees to grow their skills in digital content creation and social media marketing. Located in the vibrant city of Manchester, this role not only provides hands-on experience but also the chance to be part of a pioneering venture that directly engages with readers through crowdfunding.
Contact Details:
Manchester Metropolitan University Recruitment Team
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We think this is how you could land Digital Content and Social Media Marketing Executive in Manchester
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