As Social Lead, you will own the social strategy across all platforms - from TikTok to Instagram, Threads to YouTube - crafting innovative, thumb-stopping content that brings the River Island brand to life. You'll work closely with brand, content, creative, PR and performance teams to ensure our social media is best-in-class, culturally relevant, and always on-brand. This role demands a blend of creative vision and commercial awareness, ensuring social content not only builds brand equity but drives engagement, traffic, and revenue.
Strategy & Leadership:
* Develop and lead the overall social media strategy for River Island across all platforms.
* Define KPIs, reporting frameworks, and clear success metrics.
* Monitor industry trends, competitor activity, and platform updates to stay ahead of the curve.
* Act as the internal expert on all things social - educating and inspiring wider teams.
Content & Campaigns:
* Oversee the planning, creation, and execution of always-on and campaign content.
* Collaborate with internal creative and content teams to ensure social-first thinking is embedded from the start.
* Identify and leverage key cultural moments, trends, and platform opportunities.
* Champion and grow River Island's presence on emerging platforms like TikTok and Threads.
* Work closely with the Paid Media team to identify key content for boosting and paid social.
Team Management:
* Manage and mentor the small social team.
* Set clear objectives, support career development, and foster a creative, collaborative team culture.
Influencer & Community Engagement:
* Partner with PR and influencer teams to build and scale influencer strategies that align with social objectives.
* Work closely with the Senior Community Manager and CRM team to build on customer loyalty, ensuring tone of voice is always on-brand and reflective of our values.
Essential Experience:
* 6+ years of experience in social media, with at least 2 in a leadership or strategic role.
* Proven track record of growing social media audiences and delivering high-performing content.
* Deep understanding of the social landscape, especially TikTok, Instagram, and emerging platforms.
* Fashion, retail, or lifestyle brand experience highly desirable.
* Strong leadership and team management skills.
* Comfortable working cross-functionally and presenting to senior stakeholders.
Skills & Attributes:
* Highly creative with strong storytelling instincts.
* Commercially aware with an understanding of brand and performance marketing.
* Agile, adaptable, and thrives in a fast-paced environment.
* Analytical, data-literate, and results-driven.
* Up to date with youth culture, trends, memes, and moments that matter to our audience.
We're a much-loved brand with an exciting future. Our Islanders are a diverse bunch of bright, talented people who love working together - and are proud of the work they do. Progression here can take you in all kinds of directions.
At River Island we are committed to the safeguarding of all of our employees regardless of age or job role. We will fulfil our obligation under the Prevent duty which seeks to stop extremism and extremist views from materialising in our business. We promote and encourage the belief in British Values- including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.
Our Island is made up of a diverse community, where we all belong and feel part of something bigger. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. We will consider flexible working requests for all roles unless operational requirements prevent otherwise.
Generous 50% staff discount so you can treat yourself to the latest products, and a bargain staff shop on site! Reducing Islanders everyday expenses through discounts, benefits, financial advice, wellbeing solutions and more through Reward Gateway! A free onsite gym, subsidised restaurant & café to fill you needs. Various social events to socialise throughout the year. Every family is unique, we support Islanders with all different family setups enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption & fertility treatment. We also work closely with the Retail Trust to create dedicated support for all our Islanders! Flexible working is a given, on top of payday and summer early finish Fridays. Give as you earn scheme, a 'Giver Island' day each year and receive matched funding. Support with upskilling through on the job training and qualifications. A succession plan if you want to progress. A generous bonus scheme & private pension plan. The choice to opt in for healthcare through our provider AXA. 25 days paid holiday, exclusive of Bank Holidays. With the added option to purchase additional holiday twice a year for whatever the need!
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