Acting Head of Social Media and Development

About Us
The Financial Times is one of the world's leading news organisations, globally recognised for its authority, integrity and accuracy, with a mission to deliver quality information and services worldwide.

At the FT, curiosity thrives and ambitious thinking is rewarded. Here, you're given the chance to reach millions, create work that matters and deliver impartial journalism in a polarised world.

In our warm, collaborative culture, you'll connect with a diverse community of experts who support your growth, career aspirations and wellbeing.

Your future at the FT will be filled with opportunities that challenge and inspire you. With no fixed path, you'll discover new skills and forge a career that can take you anywhere.

Build a newsworthy career at the FT.
The role
We are looking for an acting head of social media and development for a six-month fixed term contract. The head of social media leads and develops the FT's global social media strategy and team, overseeing the FT's flagship presence across platforms including X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, Reddit and TikTok.

This crucial role ensures that The FT's journalism reaches, engages, and grows audiences worldwide, with a focus on impact, innovation, and integrity. The successful candidate will shape how the FT's voice and values are represented on social media, champion experimentation, and work across the newsroom to amplify key stories and journalists.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the FT's social media strategy to increase the reach, influence, and distinctiveness of FT journalism.
• Develop and execute platform-specific approaches that introduce the FT to new audiences and engage existing subscribers.
• Oversee daily publishing decisions on FT social accounts, ensuring accuracy, speed, tone, and authority.
• Work closely with the wider editorial growth and engagement team, main and section news desks, visuals, video, data, graphics, marketing, FT Live, and product development teams.
• Act as a bridge between editorial and commercial departments to ensure social strategy supports broader FT goals.
• Manage and mentor a global social media team distributed across London, Manila and New York.

Who We Are Looking For
Essential qualities

• Excellent writing and editing skills, with a commitment to accuracy and editorial integrity.
• Deep understanding of FT coverage areas, from global economics and business to politics and culture.
• Experience leading social media for a major news organisation or magazine, including writing posts and designing social-first visuals.
• Strong judgment about tone, reputation, and risk in a fast-moving social landscape.
• Strategic mindset with experience planning social media coverage of major news events and projects.
• Expertise in analytics and audience insights, using tools to track and optimise performance.
• Strong organisational, leadership, and communication skills.
• Knowledge of social listening and analytics tools (e.g. NewsWhip, Socialflow, Later ).
• Calm under pressure, with experience handling breaking news and sensitive stories.

Desirable qualities

• Experience in multimedia production (Adobe Premiere, Figma).
• Experience with video and short-form storytelling for platforms like TikTok and Reels.
• Understanding of SEO, or other engagement and growth strategies.

Please submit your application by the end of the day, Thursday November
The use of AI
Original reporting, great writing and intelligent commentary lie at the heart of FT journalism. Our readers trust us to produce quality journalism that is accurate, fair and insightful. This is why FT editorial staff do not by default use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to write articles or create other reader-facing content. For specific and pre-approved cases, AI can be harnessed for certain tasks, such as assisting data research for investigations.

We expect applicants to the FT newsroom to refrain from using AI in their test submissions, and any written materials should be a genuine reflection of their own knowledge, skills and experiences. We encourage candidates only to employ AI as a tool to help with research and interview readiness for a role.

Candidates should be aware that the use of AI throughout the application process is monitored to ensure a fair and transparent hiring process for all.

Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
We believe in the power of unique perspectives and want all voices in our organisation to be heard, respected and valued. A supportive workplace is one where employees feel they can be themselves and operate to their full potential. We are committed to removing barriers for everyone, with a focus on addressing those faced by underrepresented groups.

What's in it for you? Our benefits
Our benefits vary by location but we are committed to providing best-in-class perks across all our offices. These include generous annual leave, medical cover, inclusive parental leave packages, subsidised gym memberships and opportunities to give back to the community. Full details of our benefits are available here.

FT Newsroom staff are expected to work onsite a minimum of three days per week, subject to role requirements and regular review. While flexible working requests will be considered, not all patterns are suitable for Editorial roles.

Accessibility
We are a disability confident employer and Valuable 500 signatory.

Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments/personalisation as part of the application process or to enable you to attend an interview. If you would like to discuss your requirements or have any questions, email and a member of our team will be happy to help.