Associate Creative Director (Organic Social Specialist)
Associate Creative Director (Organic Social Specialist)

Associate Creative Director (Organic Social Specialist)

Slough Full-Time 45000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead creative strategy for organic social content across major platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
  • Company: Join The Social Shepherd, a top UK social agency known for innovative campaigns and growth.
  • Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, 25 days leave, and enhanced parental policies in a supportive environment.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of social media with a talented team and work with exciting brands.
  • Qualifications: 5+ years in creative roles, strong storytelling skills, and deep platform knowledge required.
  • Other info: Be part of an award-winning agency with clear progression and a vibrant culture.

The predicted salary is between 45000 - 60000 £ per year.

We’re looking for someone who really gets social. The kind of person who knows what content works and why. Who can take an insight from TikTok or an upcoming cultural trend and turn it into something original that performs. Someone who sees the algorithm not as a blocker, but as a brief.

About Us - The Social Shepherd 🐑 We’re a Social-first agency helping global brands, household names, and high-growth scale-ups accelerate their business growth. Having won Best Large Social Agency in the UK (2 years in a row!) and continued growth, we’re now looking to take on our next member to enhance our Social team!

Our service offering includes:

  • Social Media Management
  • Paid (Social & Search)
  • Creative
  • Influencer
  • Strategy

We’re a team of 70+ across Bath, London and New York, with big ambitions to continue delivering industry-leading campaigns.

The Role As an ACD specialised in organic social, you’ll take charge of the creative direction across some of our biggest organic social clients alongside the wider team. You’ll lead a team of Social Creatives and Content Creators – helping them turn data, search intent, and cultural trends into smart, standout content. You’ll set the tone for creative across our organic output, making sure every piece of work is strategic, sharp, and built for the platform it lives on.

This is a director-level role – so we’ll look to you not just to lead the work, but to help lead the business. You’ll help grow the team, raise the creative bar, shape process and thinking, and be someone others look to, to set the standard. We’re not after someone who just talks a good game or sees themself above the doing. We want someone who’s just as happy in a pitch as they are on-set, directing edits or jumping in to write a hook when the moment calls for it.

What You’ll Do:

  • Own creative strategy and execution for organic content across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and whatever’s next
  • Build and lead content plans that are rooted in platform insight, search intent, and audience behaviour
  • Lead ideation, scripting, and content planning – making sure the work’s grounded in data, cultural relevance, and brand voice
  • Write or review platform-first copy, hooks, and scripts that engage and convert
  • Direct shoots and oversee pre-production – from creative briefs and shot lists to call sheets and campaign delivery
  • Collaborate with Paid, Influencer, Video, and Performance teams to create joined-up, high-performing campaigns
  • Coach and mentor creatives and managers – developing their creative instincts, storytelling, and leadership skills
  • Contribute to new business and pitches – bringing creative firepower and platform expertise to win work
  • Help shape how we work – including creative operations, delivery process and team resourcing
  • Stay ahead of trends, platform updates, content formats and algorithm changes – and bring that thinking into the room

What We’re Looking For:

  • 5+ years in a creative role focused on organic social – ideally agency-side
  • A portfolio that shows strong ideas, great writing and smart use of platform trends
  • Deep knowledge of TikTok, Instagram and YouTube – what’s trending, what performs and how the algorithms work
  • Strong storytelling, scripting and social copywriting skills
  • Confident directing content on-set and overseeing pre-prod and post
  • Experience leading and mentoring creative teams, including line management and performance development
  • Able to interpret and apply social and search data to shape strategy and optimise creative
  • Calm, collaborative and commercially aware – able to balance ambition with delivery
  • A strong sense of what ‘great’ looks like on social – and the ability to make it happen

Why Join Us?

  • We’ve been named Best Large Social Media Agency in the UK two years in a row
  • We work with ambitious, culture-driven brands like Uniqlo, Premier Inn and BarkBox
  • You’ll be part of a growing team of sharp, curious, genuinely lovely people
  • Hybrid working, regular socials, clear progression plans, and actual career growth
  • 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, plus your birthday off
  • Enhanced maternity/paternity policies to support you during life’s big moments
  • You’ll help shape the creative direction of one of the fastest-growing social agencies across Europe and North America
  • Salary range: £45,000 - £60,000 depending on experience

Associate Creative Director (Organic Social Specialist) employer: The Social Shepherd

The Social Shepherd is an award-winning, social-first agency that fosters a vibrant and collaborative work culture, where creativity thrives and innovation is celebrated. With a focus on employee growth, we offer clear progression plans, hybrid working options, and generous benefits including 25 days of annual leave and enhanced family policies. Join us in Bath, a city known for its rich history and creative spirit, and be part of a team that shapes the future of social media marketing for leading global brands.
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Contact Detail:

The Social Shepherd Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Associate Creative Director (Organic Social Specialist)

Tip Number 1

Stay updated on the latest trends in social media, especially on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Follow industry leaders and engage with content that resonates with your target audience to understand what works and why.

Tip Number 2

Showcase your ability to turn insights into creative content by preparing a few case studies or examples of your previous work. Highlight how you’ve successfully used data and cultural trends to create engaging campaigns.

Tip Number 3

Network with professionals in the social media space. Attend industry events, webinars, or workshops to connect with others and learn from their experiences. This can also lead to potential referrals or recommendations.

Tip Number 4

Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you mentor creatives. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've developed team members' skills and contributed to a collaborative environment in your previous roles.

We think you need these skills to ace Associate Creative Director (Organic Social Specialist)

Creative Strategy Development
Social Media Expertise
Content Creation and Planning
Data Analysis and Interpretation
Strong Storytelling Skills
Copywriting for Social Platforms
Team Leadership and Mentoring
Project Management
Understanding of Algorithms
Collaboration with Cross-Functional Teams
Trend Analysis and Adaptation
Directing and Overseeing Production
Client Pitching and Presentation Skills
Commercial Awareness

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and expectations of the Associate Creative Director position. Familiarise yourself with the key skills required, such as knowledge of social media platforms and creative strategy.

Showcase Your Portfolio: Your portfolio is crucial for this role. Include examples that highlight your best work in organic social content, demonstrating strong ideas, writing skills, and an understanding of platform trends. Tailor your portfolio to reflect the type of work The Social Shepherd produces.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only outlines your experience but also conveys your passion for social media and creativity. Mention specific campaigns or trends you've successfully navigated and how they relate to the role at The Social Shepherd.

Tailor Your CV: Ensure your CV is tailored to highlight relevant experience in organic social roles. Focus on achievements that demonstrate your ability to lead creative teams, develop content strategies, and engage audiences effectively across platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.

How to prepare for a job interview at The Social Shepherd

Showcase Your Social Savvy

Make sure to demonstrate your deep understanding of social media platforms, especially TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. Bring examples of successful campaigns you've led or contributed to, highlighting how you used platform insights and trends to create engaging content.

Prepare for Creative Challenges

Expect to discuss how you would approach creative strategy and execution for organic content. Be ready to brainstorm ideas on the spot, showcasing your ability to think creatively under pressure and your familiarity with current cultural trends.

Highlight Leadership Experience

Since this is a director-level role, emphasise your experience in leading and mentoring creative teams. Share specific examples of how you've developed others' skills and contributed to a collaborative team environment.

Know the Algorithms

Familiarise yourself with how algorithms work across different platforms. Be prepared to discuss how you would leverage data and audience behaviour to optimise content strategy, demonstrating that you see algorithms as tools for creativity rather than obstacles.

Associate Creative Director (Organic Social Specialist)
The Social Shepherd
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