Head of Social Media

We are looking for an experienced and strategic communications professional to join YTL UK as Interim Head of Social Media on a 12-month maternity cover contract.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead and shape social media activity across a diverse portfolio of businesses, including Wessex Water, YTL UK and YTL Construction UK.

Reporting to the Group Director of Corporate Affairs, you will be responsible for delivering a coordinated, high-performing social media function that enhances reputation, supports business objectives and drives audience engagement across the YTL UK Group of companies.

You will lead a small team and work with senior stakeholders across multiple businesses, providing expert advice on social media strategy, content, governance, paid campaigns, reputation management and emerging social media opportunities.

As Interim Head of Social Media, you'll lead and shape the social media strategy for YTL UK and its Group companies, ensuring a consistent and engaging presence that supports business objectives, strengthens reputation and delivers measurable impact.

Working closely with senior leaders and communications teams, you'll identify opportunities to grow audiences, enhance engagement and maximise the value of social media across the organisation.

You will:

• lead the development and delivery of the Group's social media strategy, ensuring activity supports business objectives, protects reputation and drives engagement
• provide strategic advice and support to senior leaders and stakeholders, including executive profiling and thought leadership opportunities
• identify opportunities through emerging platforms, trends, technologies and audience insights to continually enhance social media performance
• oversee the planning and delivery of engaging social-first content and integrated campaigns across multiple brands and channels, ensuring a consistent and effective approach
• lead social media communications during incidents and reputational issues, maintaining governance, brand standards and best practice
• develop employee advocacy opportunities that enable colleagues to share and amplify stories from across the Group
• build strong relationships with stakeholders across communications, marketing, HR, customer services and operational teams to drive collaboration and knowledge sharing
• lead, coach and develop the social media team, while supporting social media practitioners across the Group to embed best practice and continuous improvement
• oversee community management, audience engagement and customer conversations, monitoring sentiment and emerging issues to identify risks and opportunities
• manage paid social activity, budgets and performance, using data and insights to optimise results, demonstrate value and provide recommendations to senior stakeholders.

We're looking for someone who combines strategic thinking with hands-on delivery and thrives in a fast-paced communications environment.

You'll have:

• a degree-level qualification in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, Digital Media or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience
• significant experience developing and delivering social media strategies within a complex organisation
• experience leading and developing high-performing teams, alongside strong stakeholder management and influencing skills
• experience delivering integrated social media and communications campaigns, including paid social activity and budget management
• strong knowledge of social media management, listening and reporting tools, such as Hootsuite, Sprout Social, Brandwatch or equivalent
• excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to advise and influence senior stakeholders
• strong analytical and project management skills, with the ability to use data and insights to inform decisions, manage multiple priorities and deliver measurable outcomes
• a strong understanding of social media governance, accessibility, reputation management and crisis communications
• knowledge of current and emerging social media platforms, trends and technologies
• the ability to work effectively under pressure and adapt to changing priorities.

A full UK driving licence is required for this role.

• A combined pension contribution of up to 20%.
• Career progression and professional development opportunities.
• 25 days' holiday rising to 28 with length of service.
• The opportunity to sell up to five days of holiday every year.
• The opportunity to buy up to…