About Us
Powered by one of the largest global newsrooms in sports media, The Athletic brings sports fans the most comprehensive stories about the teams, sports and athletes they love. The Athletic’s newsroom of 450+ full‑time staff delivers in-depth coverage of hundreds of professional and college teams across more than 47 North American markets and all 20 football clubs in the English Premier League, as well as many Championship clubs.
About the Role
The Athletic is looking for a creative, platform‑native Social Producer to own and expand the digital footprint of Talk of the Devils, our flagship, chart‑topping Manchester United video podcast. You aren't just scheduling posts; you are a social‑first visual storyteller, video editor, and community strategist who knows how to capture the attention of millions of United fans worldwide.
Reporting to the Executive Producer and embedded directly with the show's talent and production crew in Manchester, you will turn every recording session into a 24‑hour multi‑platform content engine. You are equally comfortable filming high‑energy vertical video bits in the studio, cutting thumb‑stopping match‑reaction clips under breaking news pressure, or driving the live conversation and moderating the chat during our streams. If you live on social media, have sharp video editing instincts, and breathe Manchester United culture, this is your dream job.
Responsibilities
- Multi-Platform Content Factory: Clip, format, and edit the most compelling, high‑impact moments from the main video podcast into platform‑optimized vertical shorts for YouTube Shorts, TikTok, Instagram Reels, and X.
- Bespoke Social Creation: Ideate, script, and film original, social‑first native content with show talent and correspondents (e.g., rapid‑fire match reactions, tactical board explainers, trivia, or transfer window hot takes).
- Live Stream Community Management: Run “front of house” during live broadcast windows. Own and moderate the fast‑moving live YouTube chat, cultivating an engaging, positive fan community while filtering toxic behavior. Real‑time highlight audience questions and sentiments for the show's producers and talent to address on air.
- Channel & Calendar Management: Oversee the day‑to‑day operations and growth strategy of the show’s dedicated social handles. Maintain an active, well‑organized content calendar aligned with the Premier League fixture list, training cycles, and transfer deadlines.
- Audience Strategy & Data Optimization: Use platform analytics (YouTube Studio, Meta, TikTok) to track engagement KPIs, determine optimal posting windows, refine visual packaging (thumbnails, font style, pacing), and constantly experiment with trending formats.
- Brand Voice Stewardship: Ensure all social copy, captions, graphics, and video elements carry a cohesive, authoritative, and witty tone that reflects both Manchester United fan culture and The Athletic’s elite journalism standards.
Requirements
- 3-5 Years in Social Content Production: A proven track record of creating high‑engagement video and graphic content for a premium sports media brand, publisher, or football club channel.
- Technical “Preditor” Skills: Advanced proficiency in video editing software (Adobe Premiere Pro) and mobile‑first production tools (CapCut). Competency filming high‑quality mobile video or operating basic studio camera/audio gear is required.
- Deep Manchester United Fluency: Exhaustive knowledge of United's current squad, academy prospects, club history, and matchday narratives. You know what the fanbase is arguing about at any given moment and why a 15‑second soundbite is bound to go viral.
- Control Room & Live Stamina: The ability to multitask under pressure, such as editing a social clip while simultaneously monitoring a live stream chat and monitoring breaking news.
- Graphic Savvy: Basic design skills (Canva or Photoshop) to craft compelling quote templates, score cards, and thumb‑stopping visual overlays.
- Location: This is a full‑time, in‑person position based at our studio production hub in Manchester, UK. Must be flexible to work around the matchday calendar, including evenings and weekends.
The Athletic offers unique perks and benefits to all full‑time employees based on their country of residence. Our UK benefits packages offer benefits and perks, competitive to the local market.
The Athletic Media Company is an equal opportunity employer and enthusiastically encourages people from all backgrounds and experiences to apply. The Athletic will consider all applicants without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical and/or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
Contact Details:
The Athletic Media Company Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Producer (Manchester, UK)
✨Get Involved in Local Journalism
Join local journalism groups or community events to meet industry folks and make connections. Try volunteering for community newspapers or online platforms – it's a great way to get your foot in the door and show your commitment to the craft.
✨Showcase Your Work Online
Create a personal website or a blog to showcase your best articles, videos, or multimedia projects. This not only highlights your skills but also demonstrates your passion for journalism and helps establish your personal brand in the media landscape.
✨Stay Updated on the Industry Trends
Follow industry leaders on social media and stay updated on the latest trends in journalism. Engage with them by sharing your thoughts or asking questions – you never know when an informative tweet might catch the eye of a recruiter or journalist at The Athletic Media Company!
✨Explore Internships for Full-Time Opportunities
Don’t shy away from internships, even if you’re looking for full-time roles. Many journalism companies, like The Athletic Media Company, often hire from their intern pool, so using these as stepping stones can really pay off. Keep an eye on their career page for any openings!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Writing Skills:In journalism and media, your ability to write well is essential, so make sure your CV and cover letter reflect that. Include diverse writing samples, whether they’re articles, blog posts, or reports, that showcase your style and versatility. We want to see your voice and ability to engage an audience from the get-go!
Highlight Relevant Experience:If you've interned at a media outlet or contributed to any publications—whether student-run or professional—don't keep it a secret! We love seeing real-world experience, so clearly detail your responsibilities and achievements. Quantify your impact where possible, like mentioning audience growth or story reach.
Tailor Your Application for The Athletic Media Company:When applying for the Social Producer (Manchester, UK) role at The Athletic Media Company, really dig into what makes their content stand out. Reference their tone, style, or any recent articles that resonated with you in your cover letter. This shows we you’re not just sending out generic applications—you’re genuinely interested in what we do!
Prepare for a Portfolio Spotlight:Since you're applying for a full-time role, you're likely expected to have a portfolio ready to go. Make sure to curate a selection of your best work that aligns with what The Athletic Media Company produces. Provide a link to your online portfolio in your CV and be prepared to discuss your favourite pieces in interviews—this is your chance to shine!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Athletic Media Company
✨Show Off Your Writing Skills
Prepare a portfolio that highlights your best writing samples. This is crucial in journalism as hiring managers want to see your voice and style. Make sure to include a variety of pieces, like news articles, features, and opinion pieces, showing your versatility.
✨Master the Art of Storytelling
During the interview, be ready to discuss how you approach storytelling. You might be asked to outline a story you reported on, your process for gathering information, and how you engage your audience. Practice telling a couple of your best stories concisely and compellingly.
✨Know the Current Media Landscape
Be prepared to discuss industry trends and how they affect journalism today. Familiarise yourself with key developments in media, and have opinions ready for discussions about digital versus traditional platforms, as well as ethical considerations in reporting.
✨Convey Your Passion and Drive
As you’re applying for a full-time role, they’ll want to know about your long-term commitment to journalism. Share your aspirations for future projects, any internships or freelance work, and how you see yourself growing within The Athletic Media Company. Show that you’re not just looking for a job, but a career in journalism.
