Social media manager

Lotus Cars builds world-class, high-performance and lightweight sports cars that are sold all around the world. To bring the company to the level we want it to be, we are looking for a Social Media Manager to join us in our Global Commercial site based in Coventry. Summary: Report to: Commercial Europe Region Marketing Director Key Responsibilities 1. Content Strategy & Calendar Management Integrated Campaign Planning: Develop and manage monthly and quarterly social media content calendars aligned with key milestones, including new vehicle launches, OTA updates, brand campaigns, and cultural/social trends. Content Matrix Balancing: Strategically balance content distribution across multiple pillars, including brand values, advanced technology, product highlights, user stories, and lifestyle aesthetics to build a multi-dimensional brand image. 2. Influencer Ecosystem Development & Co-Creation Influencer Matrix Building: Establish, maintain, and expand a robust matrix and pipeline of content creators (KOLs/KOCs). Screen and segment partners precisely based on varying campaign themes. End-to-End Co-Creation: Lead deep co-creation projects with top-tier influencers. Manage the entire workflow from initial content ideation and production/shooting execution to distribution and amplification. Establish a comprehensive framework to evaluate co-creation performance. 3. Platform Optimization & Growth Hacking Algorithm & Platform Research: Continuously monitor and analyze European social media platforms (such as Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X, etc.) regarding their unique dynamics, user behaviors, and recommendation algorithms. Search Intent Capture: Capitalize on trending topics and utilize granular optimization techniques (e.g., SEO, keyword pinning, comment section management) to systematically capture users' active organic search intent. 4. Data Tracking & Analytics Performance Dashboards: Build, maintain, and optimize data dashboards to track influencer partnerships and campaign effectiveness. ROI Optimization: Closely monitor core metrics including CPM, engagement rates, Cost-Per-Lead (CPL), and Search Index growth. Leverage data-driven insights to boost brand exposure while driving down user acquisition costs. 5. Luxury Audience Targeting & Creator Quality Control Define a high-value audience targeting approach focused on luxury consumers, performance enthusiasts, HNW/UHNW prospects, automotive collectors, and culturally influential communities. Build a creator and expert ecosystem beyond mass-market influencers, including luxury experts, automotive journalists, engineers, designers, collectors, founders, and credible niche voices. Establish clear selection criteria for creators based on brand fit, audience quality, credibility, engagement depth, and lead-generation potential — not follower count alone. Validate influencer selection against customer persona, market priorities, and launch objectives before campaign activation. 6. Competitive Benchmarking & Market Intelligence Conduct regular benchmarking of competitor social media, content formats, creator partnerships, campaign performance, and audience engagement across luxury and performance automotive brands. Track best practices from relevant luxury, automotive, technology, and lifestyle brands to identify content opportunities and gaps. Provide monthly reports on competitor activity, platform trends, creator performance, and audience sentiment to support strategic decision-making. 7. ROI, Metrics & Performance Accountability Define quantitative and qualitative KPIs for all digital, social, and creator-led activities. Track performance against clear benchmarks, including reach quality, engagement rate, audience growth, qualified leads, CPL, CRM capture, test-drive interest, sentiment, and conversion contribution. Build ROI-driven reporting to assess which content, platforms, creators, and formats contribute to brand elevation, lead generation, and commercial outcomes. Ensure all campaigns are measured not only by visibility, but by relevance, audience quality, and contribution to the customer journey. 8. CRM, Retargeting & Lead Generation Support Work closely with CRM, sales, and dealer teams to connect social media activity with lead capture, retargeting, test-drive bookings, and follow-up journeys. Support retargeting strategies for users who engage with content, visit product pages, or submit contact details. Ensure content creator campaigns include clear CTAs and measurable lead-generation mechanisms where relevant. Help build a direct marketing content flow to nurture prospects from awareness to consideration and conversion. 9. Premium Content Governance Ensure all social media and creator-led content follows luxury brand codes, premium visual standards, and product accuracy. Maintain editorial consistency across markets while allowing culturally relevant localization. Avoid low-value, mass-market, or trend-chasing content that may dilute brand perception. Partner with product, PR, brand, and engineering teams to ensure technical claims are accurate and translated into compelling customer-facing narratives. 10. Suggested KPI Framework for the Role Quantitative KPIs: Audience growth in target segments Engagement rate by platform and content pillar Qualified leads generated from social/content activity Cost per lead / cost per qualified lead Test-drive interest or booking contribution CRM capture rate from campaigns Retargeting performance Creator campaign reach quality and engagement Share of voice vs key competitors Website traffic from social channels Product page visits from campaigns Qualitative KPIs: Creator quality and brand fit Audience relevance Sentiment improvement Content quality and premium execution Product storytelling accuracy Consistency of tone of voice Competitor differentiation Community credibility Dealer/team feedback on content usefulness Contribution to brand perception and launch readiness Job Requirements Education & Experience Essential: Education: Bachelor’s degree or higher in Marketing, Advertising, Communications, or a related field. Experience: Extensive experience within social media operations or influencer marketing in an Automotive environment Proven Track Record: A portfolio showcasing successful campaigns, with a preference for candidates who have successfully delivered million-plus exposure/view impressions. Trend Sensitivity & Creativity: Outstanding "social sense" with deep familiarity of social media languages and internet culture in Europe. Possess strong visual and aesthetic judgment. Data-Driven Mindset: Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate complex data sets into actionable social media strategies. Influencer Network: Possess an existing network and strong relationships with automotive, tech, or lifestyle content creators in the European market to enable rapid project execution. What we offer: In addition to a competitive salary, you will have access to the following benefits: 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays. Pension scheme access. Annual bonus - non contractual. Private Healthcare. Access to the Employee Car Ownership Scheme. Group income protection based on length of service. Family Friendly policies. Exclusive Employee discount, wellbeing and recognition platform ForUSLOT. Additional Information: This role will be working from our Coventry office. This role will be working on-site, full time. Role opens 17.6.26, and will close 01.7.26. Our Company: Group Lotus is a leading sports car manufacturer with a 75-year long history of iconic designs, groundbreaking engineering and legendary victories on the F1 track. Today we are transforming into a truly global performance car brand focused on the electrical future. In 2022 we launched the Eletre, the world’s first all-electric hyper-SUV, and in 2023 Emeya, our fully-electric Hyper-GT. As part of the Lotus team, you push boundaries. Those of the car industry and of your own. Every member of the Lotus family has some of the pioneering mindset of founder Colin Chapman in them. We're not just a car company; we're a diverse mix of talent from all walks of life. At Lotus, we firmly believe that diversity and inclusion are not just buzzwords but essential pillars of a thriving and successful organization. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments during the interview process. If you require any special assistance or adjustments, please let us know in advance so we can ensure a fair and accessible interview experience. Our goal is to create an environment where everyone can thrive. Do you want to know what Sophisticated, Rebellious and Pioneering mean for Lotus? Come and take a look at our career site and join the incredible adventure: STEP OUTSIDE THE ORDINARY - Lotus Cars