Lead Social Content Creator – Organic & Paid in Caversham

Lead Social Content Creator – Organic & Paid | Reading, Berkshire | Full Time | £40,000–£50,000 per annum plus performance bonus of up to £15,000 Our client is an established hospitality and entertainment venue in Reading, with six years of trading and a strong reputation. Following the acquisition of two additional venues, the business is entering an ambitious phase of growth, expanding its available space and developing new food and drink concepts, events and immersive entertainment experiences. The business is also planning to extend its trading days and invest in marketing to support its continued expansion. As part of this growth, our client is looking to significantly improve the quality, volume, creativity and performance of its content across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube Shorts and paid advertising.

The Role

This is a hands-on creative leadership role for an experienced, social-first content creator who can independently conceive, film, edit and deliver professional, engaging short-form video content. Working closely with the CEO and Head of Digital, you will help shape the creative direction of the brands, introduce new formats and improve the performance of organic social content and paid advertising.

You will be responsible for creating content yourself while taking ownership of creative quality, performance, analytics and the development of the existing content creator. You will need to demonstrate outstanding work you have personally created, understand why content performs well and be able to identify how underperforming adverts can be improved. As the business grows, there will be an opportunity to develop into a Head of Content position, subject to your performance and the growth of the venues.

Key Responsibilities · Independently conceiving, filming, editing and delivering professional, engaging short-form video content · Creating original content for TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts · Developing concepts built around strong hooks, storytelling, curiosity gaps, audience retention and shareability · Producing content for organic social media and conversion-focused paid advertising · Filming and editing food, drink, nightlife, entertainment, customer experience and lifestyle content · Creating authentic, social-native smartphone content alongside more polished, cinematic productions · Developing UGC-style advertising, customer reaction content, testimonials and creator-led formats · Producing static advertisements, carousels, social graphics, thumbnails and simple motion assets · Adapting campaigns, products and promotions into multiple creative assets for different platforms and audiences · Developing alternative hooks, edits, calls to action and creative variations for testing · Reviewing existing advertising performance and identifying ways to improve underperforming adverts · Working with the paid-social team to review results and develop more effective creative · Monitoring and reporting on content analytics, performance metrics and opportunities for improvement · Using AI tools to improve efficiency across ideation, scripting, production, editing and repurposing · Contributing to creative direction and content strategy for new venue concepts, launches and events · Identifying emerging trends, formats and opportunities · Organising shoots, coordinating the existing content creator and supporting the development of future team members · Implementing and managing a demanding content calendar while maintaining quality and meeting deadlines · Establishing creative standards and workflows to support the growth of the content team Requirements Essential · Ideally, 3–5 years or more of professional experience creating short-form social content, although demonstrated ability and portfolio will take priority over years of experience · Exceptional understanding of social media, including what makes audiences stop scrolling, keep watching and share content · Ability to independently conceive, film, edit and deliver professional, engaging short-form video content · Outstanding portfolio demonstrating content personally created, rather than solely managed · Strong understanding of the differences between organic social content and conversion-focused paid advertising · Thorough understanding of hooks, storytelling, curiosity gaps, audience retention and shareability · Ability to explain why previous content performed well and demonstrate how underperforming adverts could be improved · Excellent editing skills using professional software · Strong practical filming ability across smartphone and camera-based production · Understanding of composition, lighting, camera movement, sound, colour and visual storytelling · Experience producing content for organic reach and paid advertising · Understanding of creative performance metrics, analytics, reporting and testing · Ability to develop original concepts rather than simply follow trends · Confidence in taking creative ownership and improving existing output · Strong organisation and the ability to manage multiple campaigns and deadlines · Leadership potential, including the ability to organise shoots, coordinate other creators and manage a demanding content calendar · An interest in emerging AI tools and how they can improve creative workflows Desirable · Experience within a social or creative agency, brand or fast-moving in-house team · Experience working with hospitality, food, nightlife, entertainment or lifestyle brands · Experience guiding other content creators and helping develop a growing creative team What's In It For You · Salary of £40,000–£50,000 per annum, depending on experience and demonstrated ability · Performance bonus of up to £15,000 · 28 days of annual leave · Full-time, office-based position in Reading · Monday to Friday working hours, either 9:00 am–5:00 pm or 10:00 am–6:00 pm · Opportunity to work closely with the CEO and Head of Digital on creative direction and content strategy · Creative ownership and the opportunity to make a visible impact on the business during an ambitious period of growth · Genuine career progression opportunity to become Head of Content, dependent on individual performance and the growth of the venues What's next? It's easy! Click "APPLY" now! We can't wait to hear from you! Your data will be handled in line with GDPR.