Global Social Intelligence Associate Director

We Are Social; London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading social media agency in London is seeking a Global Social Intelligence Associate Director. In this role, you will lead innovative social intelligence projects that blend cultural insight with data-driven strategies. Ideal candidates will have experience in qualitative research and social listening tools. Join a collaborative environment that values diversity and supports creative excellence.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in research, strategy or insight focused on social, digital, or cultural research.
• Deep expertise in social listening tools and techniques.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end blended social intelligence and cultural insight projects.
• Carry out social listening labs across global markets.
• Develop innovative mixed-methodology studies combining qualitative research and social data.

Skills

Cultural fluency

Data-driven intelligence

Excellent communication

Qualitative research

Tools

Social listening tools

Job description

Who We Are

We are a global socially-led creative agency, with unrivalled social media and influencer marketing expertise. With over 1,200 people in four continents, we deliver a global perspective to our clients in a time when social media is shaping culture.

We're proud to be a multi award-winning agency, with Cannes Lions, One Show, Webby and Shorty Awards, to name but a few. Our most recent work has seen us help Amazon Music, Samsung and Adidas deliver some of their biggest and most innovative campaigns to date.

As well as creating for clients, we help educate the wider industry. Our Instagram publication The Feed tracks culture at the speed of social. 6,500 people registered or tuned into our events last year, and our reports garnered more than 20 million views. We also produce industry renowned thought leadership such as our Global Digital Report and Think Forward.

The Opportunity

Are you a mid-to-senior level hybrid thinker and doer who brings together qualitative depth, cultural fluency, and data-driven intelligence?

Do you want to lead social-first research and insight programmes for some of the world’s most forward-thinking brands?

Are you passionate about popular culture, social trends, and emerging behaviours?

We are looking for a Global Social Intelligence Associate Director to lead the development and delivery of cutting-edge social intelligence work that fuses cultural insight, audience understanding, and listening. You will play a key role in shaping We Are Social’s global insights, while acting as a strategic partner to senior colleagues across strategy, creative, and measurement. This is a unique role that blends innovation and strategic thinking, supporting the development of our products and establishing We Are Social as a thought-leader in this space.

What You’ll Have Delivered Elsewhere

• Lead end-to-end blended social intelligence and cultural insight projects – from design and setup to synthesis and delivery.
• Carried out social listening labs across global markets and languages, identifying trends, behaviours and opportunities.
• Developed innovative mixed-methodology studies that combine qualitative research, social data, and business measurement.
• Driven audience profiling, cultural deep dives, competitor positioning, and market mapping.
• Applied socially-led insights to solve industry business problems that shape brand strategy.
• Translated complex data into compelling, easy-to-digest narratives for global brands and internal teams.
• Championed the value of social insight across the agency and externally in pitches, press and thought leadership.
• Collaborated closely with Strategy, Creative and Measurement teams to embed insight into the heart of our work.
• Guided strategic planning through the lens of culture, behaviour, and social conversation.
• Built trusted relationships with senior leads across the network, acting as an advisor on social intelligence and cultural trends.
• Represented We Are Social externally through new business pitches, conferences and panels.

What Else Are We Looking For?

• Proven experience in research, strategy or insight, with a strong focus on social, digital or cultural research.
• Proven track record in qualitative research (ethnography, depth interviews, focus groups, cultural trend mapping).
• Deep expertise in social listening tools and techniques, with hands-on experience delivering global insight projects.
• Excellent communication and storytelling ability, with confidence presenting to brands and at external events.

Our Culture and the Nice Stuff

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion are deeply ingrained in our values. We are committed to transparency and making real progress, both within our organisation and in our industry, to create a workplace that represents, supports, and advocates for all. Inclusion at every level is crucial to creative innovation and success, and we strive to create a workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging. We welcome and encourage talent from all backgrounds and are committed to building a representative team that delivers creative excellence. If you require any support, adjustments, or accommodations during the recruitment process, please let us know.

But what’s life around here really like day-to-day? Well, we ask our people regularly what they think about us/their role and here are some of the most common things they say:

- I value my manager we have a good relationship

- We love to ‘get social’ with the people I work with

- Trusted to get on with the job, without ‘micro-management’!

If this all sounds like the place you have been waiting to find then apply now! What are you waiting for?