Social Media Lead
(Permanent, Full-Time)
Welcome to Kia UK!
About Us
Kia UK is a leading automotive brand offering one of the industry’s largest range of models across multiple vehicle segments and was the fourth most popular UK car brand in 2024. With 190 Kia Dealers across the country, Kia is now widely known for its advanced electrified products offering the technology of tomorrow, today. Spearheading this charge are award-winning products including the fully electric EV6 – Kia’s first dedicated electric vehicle, the 2024 World Car of the Year the EV9 and the 2025 World Car of the Year the all new electric compact SUV the EV3!
Kia UK has consistently grown for over 30 years, supported by bold design, quality products and ever-evolving customer service. By 2027, the brand aims to offer no less than nine fully electric vehicles in the UK, a positive step towards becoming a leading global sustainable mobility solutions provider.
People are central to Kia UK and every day is an opportunity to learn something new and to grow personally and professionally. This was recognised with Kia UK named as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces 2025 by Great Place To Work, and also ranked in the 2025 Best Workplaces for Development and Wellbeing. Kia employees reported positively on areas such as working atmosphere, trust in management, corporate strategy, pride in working for the company, benefits, facilities and much more!
The Role
Are you ready to shape the voice of a leading automotive brand? As Kia’s Social Media Lead, you’ll play a pivotal role in driving our digital strategy and storytelling. You’ll take charge of all our social media channels—spanning brand campaigns, tactical initiatives, sponsorships, and CSR—ensuring our presence is dynamic, creative, and impactful. With a forward-thinking mindset, you’ll plan and deliver innovative projects, mentor our Social Media Assistant Intern, and lead the execution of high-profile brand activities and model launches. If you thrive on collaboration, strategic thinking, and making a real difference in a fast-paced environment, this is your opportunity to shine.
Key Responsibilities/Tasks:
General
1. Formulate clear social strategies for the integration and execution of social media to help position Kia as a desirable mainstream brand and at the forefront of mobility.
2. Execute media plans to drive awareness, familiarity and nameplate equity.
3. Lead the agency partners to identify big brand moments aligning to the overarching brand pillars and business objectives
4. Develop an effective and collaborative working relationship with internal and external stakeholders, including Kia Europe (KEU) and key agency partners.
5. Key Responsibilities
6. Responsible for formulating and delivering strategies at a brand, tactical, in-market, sponsorship and CSR level.
7. Own the briefing and delivery of class-leading communication plans for ‘organic’ and ‘paid’ social.
8. Custodian of all social media related touch points, including content and creative approach.
9. Manage the development and delivery of an agreed rolling 6-month organic calendar to help increase visibility and ensure a smooth customer journey.
10. Evaluate and screen recommendations from agencies and preserve social best practice across both organic and paid activity.
11. Owner of the social marketing and boosting budget. Managing both creative and media agencies to ensure production estimates and media buying is competitive, transparent and cost effective.
12. Perform monthly budget reconciliation, manage end of year accruals and support future budget and retainer planning, identifying cost reductions and providing measures for improvement.
13. Manage the day-to-day social agency relationship to enable efficiency of social activity, proactively forecasting media and production budgets to maximise opportunities.
14. With the social agency, manage content creator and brand ambassador relationships including contracts and deliverables
15. Work with key internal and external stakeholders to support social best practice, set KPIs, monitor performance, report key learnings, embrace test and learn, and provide future improvements.
16. Support Kia Europe (KEU) with local level alignment and completion of European requests, keeping KEU informed of Kia UK activity.
17. Responsible for the internal and external communication of social activity, including the development of presentation slides, performance reports, bulletins etc.
18. Review competitor approaches and identify opportunities to test or improve social channels
19. Maintain a strong line of communication with partner and social platform contacts to ensure we are always informed about the latest best practices, platform features and optimisations at a client level.
About You
20. At least 2 to 3 years of experience in social media related role within the Automotive or Marketing sector.
21. Proficient in professional use of key social channels such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube TikTok, Reddit, both in organic and paid applications
22. Knowledge of paid social campaign setup and management
23. Experience with Sprinklr or other social media management/reporting platforms.
24. Strong planning and organisation abilities with a proven track record of working on multiple projects simultaneously and cross functionally.
25. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with excellent spoken and written English
26. Self-starter, motivated, driven and with a desire to learn.
27. Ability to interpret and present complex data.
28. Strong presentation skills
29. Capable of leading and challenging agencies and managing and coaching team members.
30. Proven track record of managing and controlling sizeable budgets.
The Benefits
Flexible working hours (core hours between 10:00am-3:00pm)
Hybrid working (up to 2 days a week remote working pro rata)
Employee Car Scheme (car lease + insurance all included from £80/month)
Onsite Chef -> free lunch every day
Private Medical Care (Vitality)
Annual Health Checks and free flu jabs offered on site
Private Dental Care (Denplan, £0 excess)
Pension with enhanced employer contribution
Income Protection & life Assurance
Critical Illness Protection
24 days Annual Leave + Bank Holidays
Wellness benefits including cycle to work scheme, free eye tests, employee assistance programme, Mental Health First Aiders and more
Financial hub providing free financial guidance and support
Work from anywhere for one week a year
Enhanced Maternity, Adoption and Shared Parental Leave (up to 6 months fullpay)
Enhanced Paternity Leave
Free weekly yoga, football, and badminton clubs
Pool tables, dart board, and massage chairs onsite
Opportunity to get involved & give back via our charity partners
Birthday Vouchers
Celebrations such as our Spring Ball, Christmas events, Social Club and much more!
Location/Travel
The Kia UK Head Office is based in Walton-on-Thames, just a 5 minute walk from the station. We also have plenty of on-site parking for drivers, including EV charging ports.
There is step-free access throughout the building, but please let us know if you require any additional accessibility support and we will cater to your needs as best we can.
Interview Process