Share
Share job or send it to yourself for later
Apply Now
Do you live and breathe social media? Are you a master of crafting viral campaigns that get people talking? Do you thrive in a fast-paced, agile environment where "impossible" is just a challenge waiting to be conquered? If so, we need you to elevate our brand to legendary status! We're looking for a Senior Social Marketing Manager to lead our Owned Social Media team – a strategic thinker, creative storyteller, and data-driven executor with a proven track record of launching high-profile, talkable campaigns. You're not just managing channels; you're building communities, igniting conversations, and driving tangible business results. If you're ready to unleash your inner Waitrose fan and make some serious noise, this is your chance
Expected salary - £53,000-£70,000 (dependent on experience).
Contract type - This position is a Permanent contract.
Working pattern/flexible working - The Partnership has adopted a hybrid working approach, meaning you'll be able to work a mixture between the office and home based upon your personal needs whilst balancing the needs of the business. The Social Media team aims for 2 days a week in the office to connect and on a more ad-hoc basis to attend key meetings. With occasional meetings in our London office when needed.
Location - This role is based at our Bracknell Head Office.
Key responsibilities
You'll own the owned social media channel roadmap, aligning it with overall business objectives, customer strategy and brand vision.
Lead the charge on high-profile tactical activity and key campaigns: You'll work with our agencies and internal teams to mastermind campaigns that capture attention, generate buzz, and leave a lasting impact. We're talking big ideas, bold execution, and measurable results.
Master the art of storytelling: Craft compelling narratives that resonate with our target audience across various social media platforms. You're a wordsmith, visual storyteller, and community builder all rolled into one.
Data-driven decision making: Track, analyse, and optimise campaign performance using social media analytics tools. You'll use data to inform strategy, identify trends, and demonstrate success against brand KPIs.
Community building and engagement: Foster authentic connections with our food-loving audience, leading the strategy on how we respond to comments, engage in conversations, and build a thriving community on social media.
Stay ahead of the curve: Keep your finger on the pulse of the ever-evolving social media landscape, identifying emerging trends, platforms, and technologies. You're a social media ninja, always learning and adapting.
Collaborate and inspire: Work closely with cross-functional teams, including marketing, PR, creative, and agencies, to ensure consistent brand messaging and campaign alignment.
Lead and develop a high-performing team: Mentor, coach, and guide a team of social media specialists, fostering their growth and development, and empowering them to achieve their full potential. You'll be responsible for setting team goals, providing constructive feedback, and cultivating an innovative, collaborative and supportive team environment.
Essential skills/experience you’ll need
Proven experience: 5+ years of experience in social media marketing, with a demonstrable track record of launching successful, high-profile campaigns.
Next-level creativity: A passion for innovation and a knack for developing unique, attention-grabbing content.
Strategic mindset: The ability to think strategically about social media's role in achieving business objectives.
Data fluency: Proficiency in social media analytics tools and a data-driven approach to decision-making.
Excellent communication skills: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling narratives.
Proven Leadership Experience: Requires significant experience in managing and developing a team of social media professionals. Candidates must demonstrate a track record of successfully leading teams, fostering growth, and achieving measurable results through effective mentorship and guidance.
Desirable skills/experience you may have
Experience in Grocery or FMCG social media.
Community building expertise: A deep understanding of how to build and engage online communities.
Agile mindset: Thriving in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and comfortable with ambiguity.
Team player: A collaborative spirit and the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
#LI-HEADOFFICE
#LI-HYBRID
We’re the largest employee owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us.
We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. Never Knowingly Undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food-lovers in Waitrose.
As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect.
We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can THRIVE. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective.
As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.
Important points to note:
It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third-party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles.
We also recommend that you apply as soon as possible as vacancies can close early if we see a high number of applicants.
We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.
Attachment: Senior-Social-Marketing-Manager-L6-Job-Ad-Feb-2025.docx-Social-Marketing-Senior-Manager-Owned-L6-JO-Feb-2025-2.pdf
We believe in ensuring our Partners have access to a complete spectrum of benefits whilst in the business. After all, our Partners make our Partnership what it is.
Learn a new skill or become more proficient in your hobbies by claiming up to half the cost of certain tutored courses which you pay for yourself (up to a maximum of £250 per year).
25% off at John Lewis and 20% at Waitrose. We know you’d like this one! (some exclusions apply)
From arts & crafts to fishing, from skiing to running, we have so many clubs and societies bringing Partners with shared interests together.
Enjoy a generous holiday provision. Plenty of time for some rest and relaxation. (The amount of holiday you’ll get depends on your role and working hours. It increases over time).
Secure your future with our comprehensive pension scheme and life assurance.
Recharge and reconnect at our exclusive Partner hotels in locations across the UK!
Learn a new skill or become more proficient in your hobbies by claiming up to half the cost of certain tutored courses which you pay for yourself
25% off at John Lewis and 20% at Waitrose. We know you’d like this one!
Enjoy a generous holiday provision. Plenty of time for some rest and relaxation.
Log into the Candidate Communication Centre to check your application status
Receive details of jobs matching your criteria as soon as they are posted.
