Social Media Manager

The key objective for this role will be to support the Social Media Director with the strategic development of community management and content across SAMY UK’s biggest global retained accounts, including clients primarily in the automotive, motor oil and home cooking spaces. You’ll also be aiding the drive of best practices, innovation, and measurable success across a larger portfolio of brands. You’ll be expected to work alongside other senior members of the team to mentor junior/mid team members, contribute to agency growth through client pitches and business development, and act as a key advisor across the wider SAMY global alliance.

This role goes beyond day-to-day management - it requires proactivity, strategic leadership, data-driven decision-making, and cross-functional collaboration to elevate brand presence, drive engagement, and support business growth.

• Development and implementation of comprehensive community engagement strategies aligned with overarching brand goals, including identifying key community segments, defining engagement metrics, and establishing content pillars for community interaction.
• Lead the development and execution of community-driven initiatives (e.g., user-generated content campaigns, creator programs) that demonstrate brand advocacy.
• Utilise advanced social listening tools and sentiment analysis to anticipate potential brand reputation risks, identify emerging trends, and monitor competitive landscapes in real-time.
• Train and empower junior social media managers on best practices for identifying, triaging, and responding to negative sentiment and potential issues, fostering a proactive and resilient team.

• Implement comprehensive social media strategies aligned with client objectives and overall marketing plans.
• Lead the creation of engaging, platform-specific content (text, image, video, interactive) that resonates with target audiences and enhances brand voice.
• Manage other members of the team to manage the delivery of content calendars, ensuring timely and strategic scheduling of posts across various social media platforms (e.g., Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok).
• Stay ahead of algorithm updates and emerging platform features to optimise content performance and reach.

• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and utilise social media analytics tools to track, measure, and analyse campaign performance.
• Generate insightful and actionable reports on social media performance, providing data-driven recommendations for optimisation in monthly reports and Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs).
• Conduct competitive analysis to identify trends, benchmark performance, and inform strategic decision‐making.

• Serve as a key point of contact for clients regarding social media strategy, execution, and performance.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of compelling client presentations and reports, clearly articulating social media strategies and results.
• Collaborate effectively with internal teams (e.g., creative, account management) to ensure seamless campaign execution and integrated marketing efforts.
• Proactively manage client expectations and ensure timely collection of assets and approvals.

• Continuously explore and implement the latest social media trends, tools, and technologies to enhance campaign effectiveness and drive innovation.
• Participate actively in industry events, webinars, and workshops to stay informed and share knowledge within the team.
• Contribute to the development of internal best practices and processes for social media management.

• Can pick up a mobile phone and capture/edit pre-developed assets at events or on shoots.
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency in using social media analytics tools to track, interpret, and report on performance (e.g., Meta Business Suite, Twitter Analytics, LinkedIn Analytics, TikTok Analytics, Google Analytics).
• Experience with social media management and scheduling tools, primarily Sprinklr (but could also include Hootsuite, Buffer, Sprout Social etc).
• Excellent organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• A strong portfolio showcasing successful social media campaigns and content creation.

• 3-5 years of experience working in an advertising agency.
• Proven ability to design, implement and embed social strategies that align with client goals and drive clear outcomes in engagement, audience growth and brand visibility.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling and brand‑aligned content.
• Crisis and reputational management - hands‑on experience managing real‑time issues or reputational risks on social platforms, with examples of how your judgement and leadership helped mitigate impact or restore trust.
• Insight‑led performance optimisation - ability to use data and audience insights to shape strategy, optimise campaigns.
• Delivering results through social - demonstrable success using social media to drive meaningful action.

• Highly creative and innovative with a passion for pushing boundaries.
• Proactive, self‑motivated, and takes initiative.
• A strategic thinker with a results‑oriented mindset.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills and the ability to adapt to changing situations.
• A collaborative and strong team player with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Eager to learn, grow, and contribute to a dynamic agency environment.