At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage and grow our cooking community, create engaging content, and drive user acquisition.
- Company: Exciting early-stage startup focused on social cooking and community building.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience, build a portfolio, and potential for future paid role.
- Other info: Flexible remote work with real ownership of community growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission to inspire cooking and connect with food lovers.
- Qualifications: Strong copy skills, knowledge of social media, and passion for community engagement.
We're the co-founders of PanPals, a social cooking community on a mission to make people cook more and enjoy the process. We're based in London, Rotterdam and Vienna but all from Istanbul. Between us we cover startup ops, engineering and design. PanPals is a UK‑based early‑stage startup operating in the social and consumer space. This is not a recipe or calorie tracking app, but a place for regular people to increase their cooking motivation by coming together around what feels like one big table. You post what you cook at home, as simple as that. Whether it's fancy or not‑so‑fancy, it has a place on PanPals.
PanPals came out of research in Behavioural Science at the London School of Economics and is proven to significantly increase cooking motivation, enjoyment, diet quality and cooking skills. It's now a live product on the App Store with 2.5K users with zero marketing spend and very sticky metrics like 40%+ W1 retention. We're looking to become the main place for kitchen moments.
We're looking for a community manager and storyteller to own our community and grow it with us. This is not a create‑content‑post‑and‑log‑off role. This is actively managing a community, building it creatively and growing it meaningfully.
Note that PanPals is currently raising and no one on the team is getting paid yet. Not the co‑founders, not the interns. This is an unpaid role with the potential to become a full‑time paid one in 3 months. That depends on us raising, which is not something we can promise. We don't want to waste anyone's time so please take this into account and manage your expectations accordingly. What we can promise is the experience, the portfolio and the metrics you'll build here.
We have 10K followers on Instagram and most of our app users discover us there. We want to scale this by targeting the relevant persona, not random people, with as little cost as possible. Everything we do on growth is fully organic. That's why storytelling, community building and listening to our own users carry utmost importance.
What we don't want is random sh*posting. Strictly no AI slop in our content. Everything we put out is intentful and strategic and reflects our stance as an app. The aim is not to post as much as we can, the aim is to carefully craft and deliver our message. We've built this from scratch since day zero on top of our full‑time jobs and studies. We believe in our mission and our cause. We want someone to share this journey with us in the same way. We ship fast and work disciplined but we're very fun to work with.
What we expect:
- Own and grow our community. You actively manage it, listen, spark conversation and bring the right people in. Not just posting and logging off.
- Create and maintain content for Instagram. This is our main channel and where most of our users find us.
- Maintain Twitter in Turkish in the tone we set together. Keep it relevant and reactive to what's happening.
- Post relevant Instagram moments with the right context on Substack and Threads. Reshape the message for each channel. This is not a copy paste across socials. Each one gets its own narrative.
- Own guerilla user acquisition. You'll comment a lot on Reddit, TikTok, Instagram and Twitter mainly, plus Substack and Threads on target users to invite them to PanPals. Find the right people and bring them in. Spot small real cooking creators from real kitchens and not big influencers, then invite them to PanPals through genuine comments.
- Strong copy skills, fluent in internet culture and memes, up to date on relevant topics and quick to react to viral moments.
- Knowledge of design and AI tools: Figma, Canva, Claude, CapCut, Adobe etc.
- Time commitment is around 30 hours a week. We don't track hours or set a schedule, so you work on your own time and we measure you by output but the average workload you should expect will come to 30hrs.
What we offer:
- Real ownership of a live, growing community and our user acquisition. If you take the Instagram from 10K to 50K, that's your win and you can take it anywhere.
- A portfolio you can show off. Live high‑performing content (our best posts hit millions of views) and real growth metrics that are yours to keep and use anywhere after this summer.
- Early‑stage social and consumer startup experience in a UK‑based startup. If you're excited about community‑led products, creator culture and the future of food, this is a front‑row seat with full autonomy as we scale PanPals.
- Direct collaboration with the co‑founders. No layers or bureaucracy. This is a highly autonomous role with minimal supervision and no hand holding, so you'll need to learn fast and run with things.
- Freelance and remote. Work on your own time. We don't track hours and we won't chase you. Work at night and log off if that's when you do your best work, as long as it moves our socials forward. We measure output not time but your workload will come to around 30 hours a week.
How to apply:
Get on our app and look into our socials. With your CV, send us 3 example posts to contact@panpals.co. Can be TikTok, Instagram or LinkedIn. Up to you. We don't expect perfection in design or copy, we just want to see if you reflect the message and narrative PanPals wants to convey.
Content & Community Intern employer: PanPals
At PanPals, we offer a unique opportunity to be part of a vibrant and innovative startup environment in London, where creativity and community engagement are at the heart of our mission. As a Content & Community Intern, you'll gain invaluable experience in managing a growing social cooking community, with direct collaboration alongside passionate co-founders and the freedom to work flexibly on your own terms. This role not only allows you to build a strong portfolio with real metrics but also positions you for potential full-time opportunities as we scale our impact in the culinary space.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Content & Community Intern
✨Join Startup Events and Meetups
Get involved in local startup events and networking meetups in your area. These are fantastic opportunities to meet founders and key players in the scene. Plus, they often have internship openings that aren't advertised anywhere else!
✨Connect with Startup Incubators
Reach out to local incubators and accelerators, like PanPals might be involved with. They often have connections to startups looking for interns. Building relationships with these organisations can really help you land an internship.
✨Be Proactive and Follow Up
If you’ve applied for an internship at a startup like PanPals, don't hesitate to follow up a week or two after applying. A polite email expressing your enthusiasm can set you apart from other candidates and keep you on their radar.
✨Leverage Social Media for Visibility
Utilise platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn to showcase your passion for startups and entrepreneurship. Share relevant content, engage with startup founders, and join discussions on platforms where startup enthusiasts hang out. This could definitely grab the attention of firms like PanPals!
We think you need these skills to ace Content & Community Intern
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Entrepreneurial Spirit:When applying for an internship in a startup like PanPals, it’s super important to highlight any entrepreneurial experiences you’ve had, even if they’re on a small scale. Whether it's a side project, a student-led initiative, or even a creative hobby, demonstrate your passion for innovation and willingness to take risks. We love seeing candidates who think outside the box!
Tailor Your CV to the Startup Vibe:In a field like startups and entrepreneurship, a one-size-fits-all CV just won’t cut it. Make sure to emphasise your skills that align with the hustle and versatility we value in a startup environment. Highlight any relevant coursework, skills in agile methodologies, or tools you’ve used like Lean Startup or Design Thinking. This will show you get what it means to work in this dynamic space.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should not only explain why you're interested in the internship but also reflect your understanding of the startup’s mission and how you can contribute. Be specific about what excites you about PanPals and what you hope to learn. Let your personality shine through - we want to see the real you!
Show Enthusiasm for Learning:As an intern, it’s all about growth, so don’t shy away from expressing your eagerness to learn new things. Use your application to share specific areas you’re passionate about and how this internship can help you develop those skills. At StudySmarter, we appreciate candidates eager to absorb information and contribute to our journey!
How to prepare for a job interview at PanPals
✨Show Off Your Passion for Startups
Startups thrive on enthusiasm and a can-do attitude. When you're chatting with PanPals, let your excitement for entrepreneurship shine through. Share any personal projects or startup-related experiences you've had – it’ll show that you’ve got what it takes to contribute in a fast-paced environment.
✨Know Their Product Inside Out
It’s crucial to dive deep into what PanPals does. Understand their product, their market, and what problem they're solving. Be ready to discuss how you can enhance their offerings or streamline processes – startups often look for fresh perspectives, so don’t hold back on your ideas!
✨Flexibility is Key
In a startup, roles can be quite fluid and often require wearing many hats. Be prepared to discuss how you can adapt quickly and contribute in various ways. Share examples of times you've tackled unexpected challenges or taken on tasks outside your usual scope – it’ll show you're ready for the unpredictable startup life.
✨Network and Collaborate
Startups are all about collaboration. Before your interview, try connecting with people from PanPals on LinkedIn or attend events where they might be. Mentioning these connections or shared experiences can help build rapport and show that you're already invested in their community.
