Social Media Manager

Are you a great Social Media leader with the ability to think strategically? 

Samaritans is seeking a Social Media Manager to join the team for 12 months, covering maternity leave. You’ll lead a dynamic team in delivering impactful Social Media strategies across multiple channels. As part of the Digital Engagement team, you'll play a crucial role in shaping our online presence and driving meaningful connections with our audiences. 

• £39,000-£44,000 per annum

• 12 month fixed term contract, full time (35 hours per week) 

• Hybrid working – Linked to our Ewell (Surrey) office with home and office working

• In office working – a minimum of twice per month 

• Out-of-hours rota with additional remuneration 

• Likely start date – beginning of May 

What you’ll be doing:

• Line manages a Social Media Content Officer, Social Media Community Officer, Digital Advertising Coordinator and Social Media Assistant.

• Provide empathetic leadership and mentorship to our Social Media team, fostering a culture of excellence and growth.

• Collaborate closely with stakeholders across various departments to ensure our Social Media approach is informed by evidence and tailored to our audience's needs.

• Lead strategic planning and editorial decision-making to maintain the integrity of Samaritans' messaging across social platforms.

• Champion Social Media literacy across the organisation, providing training and support to empower colleagues at all levels.

• Take ownership of Samaritans' Social Media reputation, managing crisis situations and mitigating reputational risks.

Skills & experience you’ll bring: 

• Experience of line managing a team with compassion and empowering them to deliver their best work. Ideally experience of supporting staff who may often be dealing with sensitive and triggering issues.

• Experience working in the charity sector or not for profit sector. 

• Excellent stakeholder management skills and a proven ability to inspire, influence, and collaborate effectively at all levels of an organisation.

• Good prioritisation skills to enable you to manage a range of competing projects.

• Understanding of how to develop a channel specific Social Media content and engagement strategy that meets organisational strategic objectives.

• Specialist knowledge of latest trends in Social Media tactics, strategies and platforms.

• Understanding of paid digital media best practice. 

• Track record in driving successful and strategic Social Media content, campaigns and community management.

• Social media crisis management experience and proven ability to lead and advise senior leaders on approach for Social Media.

• In-depth knowledge of safeguarding vulnerable people via Social Media.

• Experience of delivering EDI commitment within Social Media context.

Due to the nature of Samaritans' services and the 'always-on' expectations of Social Media, this role involves participation in an out-of-hours rota, with additional remuneration provided alongside the basic salary.

What’s in it for you – our benefits 

So you want to work for us? Good choice. We like it here too. We offer competitive salaries, flexible and hybrid working to suit your needs, family-friendly policies, 28 days annual leave inclusive of wellbeing days and a matched pension contribution up to 5%. You’ll have a structured induction and ongoing projects, secondments & learning opportunities. We also have colleague-led affinity groups made up of people with shared identities. 

Your health and wellbeing is our priority. We have a staff community of Mental Health First Aiders, a Health Cash Plan and an Employee Assistance Programme. You’ll have free subscriptions to Headspace (your personal guide to mindfulness, sleep, focus, movement, and more) & Perkbox (an employee benefits platform with online exercise classes). That’s not all. We listen to your ideas and have staff forum and social committee networks. 

Hybrid Working 

We are a flexible organisation, and we embrace hybrid working – a mix of connecting in person and remotely. We’re aware that the world is changing, and we all want and need different things from our work and home lives. So, if you need to walk the dog, go to the gym, or have commitments outside of work, we’re open to talking through flexible working options that work for you and us. 

Your Application 

We recognise the enormous benefits and the social justice imperatives of ensuring diversity at every level of our organisation. Samaritans is wholly committed to inclusion and diversity and to building a culture and environment where everyone is appreciated for the unique person they are. To ensure Samaritans is representative of those we support and who support us, we particularly welcome applications from Disabled, BAME and LGBTQ+ candidates, as these people are under-represented at Samaritans. 

If this sounds like the opportunity for you, apply. You’ll be asked to upload your CV and a 1 page cover letter, outlining your motivations for applying and an overview of your relevant experience. Applications close at 9 am on Wednesday 20 March, with video interviews scheduled 26 March onwards.