Head of Social Media

Head of Social Media
- Location: Stratford, London (1-2 days in the office per week)
- Full-time (reduced or compressed hours can be considered)
- Salary: £65,000 - £70,000 per annum
- Application method:
_In our commitment to Equality, _
- Diversity_
- however they will not be reviewed as part of the shortlisting process._
- Closing Date: 1st November

Cancer Research UK is looking for a talented and dynamic digital communications professional to play a crucial role in optimising our creative content and maximising our engagement on social media - ensuring that digital is at the heart of our communications.

Your leadership and advice will help take our digital communications offer to the next level, seeking to innovate and adopt best practice to ensure the team and the wider Communications Department delivers compelling work, which makes a real difference. You will have extensive experience of managing channels and content day-to-day as well as the strategic vision for them.

You’ll lead a high performing team focused on developing innovative, creative social media content - making sure we take a data-driven approach and put our audiences at the heart of what we do. You’ll be responsible for the evaluation and continuous improvement of our social content. You will build strong relationships across the charity including with the Executive Board, research, policy and fundraising colleagues to deliver targeted and effective content for our audiences. Additionally, you will oversee digital tool procurement and relationships with digital agencies.

Key Accountabilities:
- Lead the development and implementation of CRUK’s social media strategy, including how we strategically leverage the wealth of content from across the charity’s different directorates - managing issues and rebutting inaccuracies in social media when necessary.-
- Lead on the development of impactful creative content that cuts through, working with Cancer Research UK’s in-house creative studio or external agencies.-
- Lead a strong and ambitious team of social media experts, digital campaign and engagement specialists - building capability across the team, sharing knowledge of established and emerging online platforms, as well as new trends and formats-
- Build the team’s reputation as a centre of excellence, including a creative, pacey and delivery-focused culture, driving forward innovative digital content that cuts through to our target audiences.-
- Manage portfolios of work across science, health and fundraising briefs. Act as the strategic lead for social media engagement across CRUK - providing expert advice and guidance to the communications and marketing departments.-
- Work with ‘Insight & Evaluation’ colleagues to interrogate audience insight - developing plans that encompass social media, influencer strategies, paid-for, video and animation and evaluate impact - taking a’ test, learn and iterate’ approach.-
- Deliver an enhanced approach to social media monitoring to identify risks to CRUK’s reputation and service continuity, working closely with press office colleagues to mitigate risks.-
- Build strong partnerships and working relationships with external stakeholders - including influencers, charities and digital leaders at partner organisations. Cultivate relationships with agencies and social media platforms-
- Work with the marketing team to guide paid social strategies, to complement our extensive organic social plans and broad multi-channel campaign delivery.Essential Skills & Experience:
- Extensive experience of building, leading and nurturing fast paced and creative teams-
- A passion for, and detailed knowledge of digital communications and industry best practice - including experience of leading high profile comms campaigns.-
- A track record in a range of content types including online copy, video, audio, infographics for different social media platforms-
- Significant experience of using paid social media to drive action and brand awareness-
- Significant experience of leading issues management and crisis comms across social media platforms-
- Experience of using social media listening platforms such as Brandwatch and Emplifi - as well as strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data (taking a ‘test, learn and iterate’ approach)-
- Experience of working with senior leaders and clients to deliver material at pace across diverse audience groups-
- The ability to work well under pressure and manage multiple priorities and tight deadlines.-
- Excellent written and oral communications skills reflecting the need to explain complex policy areas to non-specialist audiences in a clear and engaging way.- here

What will I gain?
- Without you we wouldn’t be able to achieve our aim of seeing 3 in 4 people survive cancer by 2034. So, we want to reward you in as many ways as possible. Our benefits package includes discounts on anything from travel to technology, generous holiday allowanc