Senior Social Media Manager

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About Ofcom

As the UK’s communications regulator, we’re delivering vital work that helps keep the UK connected and shapes the future of how we’ll stay connected with each other. Our work covers everything from phones and broadband, through to TV, radio, the postal service, and wireless devices. We’re also taking on the challenge of making the online world a safer place. And we need people of all backgrounds, skill sets, and experiences to help us achieve our goal of making communications work for everyone.

About the team you’ll be part of

This role sits within the social media and creative team, which is part of the wider communications team in Ofcom’s Corporate Group.

The team is responsible for planning, creating and delivering engaging content that tells Ofcom’s story to external audiences, across a range of social media channels. This includes social, graphics, video, branding and editorial content.

The role works closely with colleagues in other parts of the communications team, including those in media relations, digital, insights and evaluation, and internal communications. This is to support integrated campaigns and wider communications activity to influence audiences and help Ofcom make communications work for everyone.

The purpose and scope of the role

This role requires an energetic and creative social media expert and digital storyteller to help explain how our work affects people up and down the country. We look after the UK’s communications – covering everything from online safety, phone and broadband, TV and radio to wireless airwaves and the postal service.

High-quality, reliable communications services have never mattered more to people’s lives. And the industries Ofcom regulates are changing fast, making this an exciting and important time to be working as part of the team tasked with explaining our work to a range of external audiences.

Working closely with colleagues in the Communications team, you will apply your judgement and initiative to find creative and engaging ways to explain our work and offer help or advice to people and businesses. This will include activity across paid, earned, shared and owned content.

As a social media and digital communications expert, you will champion the use of these communications channels and offer well-reasoned, researched and strategic recommendations for using them to tell Ofcom’s story and/or manage its reputation.

The role involves managing the day-to-day content schedule across Ofcom’s social channels – working closely with the head of social media and creative to ensure content fits with the strategic aims of the team and organisation.

It involves line managing two direct reports, including reviewing and editing their proposed content and being responsible for their continued development. This means the role is one of the more senior positions within the social and creative team and the postholder will be expected to deputise for the head of the team where necessary.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Leading the delivery of social media strategies and activity to support communications objectives, overseeing the day-to-day content schedule, supporting high-profile news stories and campaigns, proactively identifying opportunities, risks and escalating potential issues as needed.
• Line management of two social media associates, providing direction and support to deliver impactful, channel- specific content, and supporting skills development within the team.
• Playing a key role in digital communications during sensitive or fast-moving situations, applying strategic judgement to guide decisions, providing support and coordination on social content and community management. This can
• include dealing with potentially hostile and highly critical reactions to Ofcom’s work from external audiences.
• Delivering other digital communications activities, including newsletters, digital campaigns and influencer/partnership projects, as required to support communications priorities.
• Working closely with media, policy, and teams across the organisation, making sure social media activity is aligned with wider objectives, and acting as an ambassador for digital communications up to senior level.
• Advising on social media best practice, platform use and emerging digital trends, actively contributing to the development of Ofcom’s digital communications and channel strategy.

The skills, knowledge and experience you’ll need for success.

• In-depth understanding of social media platforms, channels, audiences and the wider digital landscape.
• Experience in analysing social media content performance and translating insights into actionable improvements, including testing new formats, approaches and ways of working.
• Ability to manage plan and use paid social media activity strategically - including to engage hard-to-reach audiences and support channel growth. Providing guidance and upskilling to colleagues on the effective use of paid social media.
• Harmonising Work: Collaboration with the Creative team to commission, brief and develop creative assets for use across Ofcom’s social media channels, ensuring outputs meet strategic and channel requirements.
• Articulating Ideas: Translating complex policy and subject matter into simple, impactful digital communications that engage audiences. Good plain-English writing skills, grammar and attention to detail.

Inclusivity Statement

Ofcom has a clear mission: to make communications work for everyone.  To be able to deliver on this, we want our organisation to reflect the diversity of background, experience, upbringing and thought that exists across the UK.  We aim to recruit from the widest pool of candidates possible – no matter your social background, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, or disability. We also warmly welcome applicants who are returning to the workforce after a break – for whatever reason. If you have taken time away and are ready to rejoin, we look forward to reviewing your application.

Where positions are listed as full-time, we remain open to reduced hours, part-time arrangements, job shares, and other flexible working options. From day one, we champion flexible work arrangements to accommodate individual needs. You can read more about our Rewards, Benefits and Well-being on our careers page.

Our recruitment processes prioritise accessibility and inclusivity. If you need adjustments, information in an alternative format, or prefer to apply in a different way, please contact us at [email protected] or call 0330 912 1378.

As a Disability Confident Leader, we offer interviews to disabled applicants who meet essential criteria for advertised roles. Learn more about this scheme here.  https://careers.ofcom.org.uk/careers/how-we-hire/