Head Of Social Media (12m Ftc)

Overview

We have a new opportunity for an experienced Head of Social Media to join our Brand team on a 12-month fixed term basis. This role offers hybrid working from our office in Embassy Gardens, London.

This is a senior, creative leadership role for a strategic storyteller who understands the power of community, conversation, data, and culture. You will set the direction for our organic social media and content creator strategy across the Penguin brand and sub-brands, using insight, creativity and cultural understanding to grow influence, relevance and impact with priority audiences.

Reporting to the Digital Marketing Director, you will lead a high-performing social team and act as the senior social media expert across the business. You will define strategy, protect and evolve our brand voice, and translate brand priorities into moments, stories and conversations that inspire. Success in this role is measured not just by growth and engagement, but by the communities we nurture, the stories we spark and the cultural impact we create.

Key Responsibilities

• Set and lead the organic social media strategy for the Penguin brand and its sub-brands, owning planning, execution and ongoing evolution across platforms.
• Lead, mentor and inspire a high-performing team of social specialists, embedding a culture of curiosity, creativity, experimentation and continuous feedback.
• Act as the senior social media adviser to brand leadership and key stakeholders, shaping company-wide social strategy, standards and best practice.
• Partner closely with teams across brand, design, content, marketing and e-commerce to deliver culturally relevant social campaigns rooted in audience insight and brand priorities.
• Protect and evolve Penguin’s social tone of voice, storytelling style and content governance, ensuring consistency and quality across all channels.
• Shape, approve and oversee major content, community and influencer plans, including responsibility for crisis and reputation management.
• Drive innovation through a test-and-learn mindset, proactively exploring new formats, platforms, tools and emerging trends.
• Define and own the KPI framework, tracking performance, insight and ROI, and translating results into clear reporting and case studies for senior stakeholders.
• Manage social media budgets, including content production and influencer investment.
• Work closely with the Senior Social Media Manager to turn analytics, social listening and performance data into actionable insight.
• Maintain expert-level knowledge of current and emerging social platforms, algorithms and best practice.
• Lead the content creator and influencer strategy alongside the Community Manager, identifying voices and communities that amplify our stories.
• Act as the key social partner for e-commerce initiatives, including social commerce opportunities such as TikTok Shop.

What You’ll Bring

• Significant experience of running social media channels for a culturally influential media or entertainment brand, with evidence of driving audience growth and shaping conversation.
• Proven experience of managing and developing high performing social and influencer teams, with a strong strategic leadership track record.
• Deep understanding of social media trends, algorithms, best practices, audience behaviour and tools across all major platforms.
• Experience of managing projects end to end.
• Experience with social analytics and listening tools, with AI tools as a plus, to leverage data-driven insights to inform decisions and social media strategy.
• Able to prioritise effectively, with the ability to see the bigger picture.
• Ability to work in a flexible and sometimes unpredictable environment.
• Impeccable stakeholder management and communication skills.

Application Instructions

Please apply with your CV and Cover Letter outlining your reasons for interest in this role by 23:59 on Sunday 1st February 2026.

Here at Penguin, we believe in the power of authenticity and human creativity. When you apply for a position, we want to encourage you to showcase your unique voice. Throughout our recruitment process, please share your own thoughts, experiences, and skills. This helps us get a true sense of who you are and what you might bring to our team.

We celebrate creativity and diverse perspectives, so please be yourself! While we recognise AI tools can be helpful, we recommend using them thoughtfully to ensure your responses reflect you.

Salary

The salary band for this opportunity is circa £70,000 depending on how your skills and experience align to the role, plus benefits.

Hybrid Working

While our offices across the UK are places to connect, collaborate and celebrate with colleagues, we recognise that flexibility around where you work is just as important. For this role, we expect that you will work from the Embassy Gardens office in London 2-3 days per week, and be available to attend on other days as required by the business.