Social Media Lead

Kia UK; England; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading automotive brand in England is looking for a Social Media Lead to drive their digital strategy and manage various social media channels. This role requires 2-3 years of experience, strong interpersonal skills, and proficiency in major social media platforms. The ideal candidate will be responsible for creating impactful social strategies and enhancing Kia's brand presence online. This opportunity offers hybrid working and numerous employee benefits.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Hybrid working

Employee Car Scheme

Private Medical Care

Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays

Wellness benefits

Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Leave

Qualifications

• 2 to 3 years of experience in a social media related role within the Automotive or Marketing sector.
• Proficient use of social channels like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn.
• Strong planning and organization abilities.

Responsibilities

• Formulate clear social strategies for Kia.
• Manage social media touch points and campaigns.
• Develop relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Social media management

Interpersonal skills

Strategic thinking

Analytical skills

Tools

Sprinklr

Job description

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.

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

• 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.
• Execute media plans to drive awareness, familiarity and nameplate equity.
• Lead the agency partners to identify big brand moments aligning to the overarching brand pillars and business objectives.
• Develop an effective and collaborative working relationship with internal and external stakeholders, including Kia Europe (KEU) and key agency partners.
• Responsible for formulating and delivering strategies at a brand, tactical, in‑market, sponsorship and CSR level.
• Own the briefing and delivery of class‑leading communication plans for ‘organic’ and ‘paid’ social.
• Custodian of all social media related touch points, including content and creative approach.
• Manage the development and delivery of an agreed rolling 6‑month organic calendar to help increase visibility and ensure a smooth customer journey.
• Evaluate and screen recommendations from agencies and preserve social best practice across both organic and paid activity.
• 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.
• Perform monthly budget reconciliation, manage end of year accruals and support future budget and retainer planning, identifying cost reductions and providing measures for improvement.
• Manage the day‑to‑day social agency relationship to enable efficiency of social activity, proactively forecasting media and production budgets to maximise opportunities.
• With the social agency, manage content creator and brand ambassador relationships including contracts and deliverables.
• 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.
• Support Kia Europe (KEU) with local level alignment and completion of European requests, keeping KEU informed of Kia UK activity.
• Responsible for the internal and external communication of social activity, including the development of presentation slides, performance reports, bulletins etc.
• Review competitor approaches and identify opportunities to test or improve social channels.
• 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

• At least 2 to 3 years of experience in social media related role within the Automotive or Marketing sector.
• Proficient in professional use of key social channels such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube TikTok, Reddit, both in organic and paid applications.
• Knowledge of paid social campaign setup and management.
• Experience with Sprinklr or other social media management/reporting platforms.
• Strong planning and organisation abilities with a proven track record of working on multiple projects simultaneously and cross functionally.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with excellent spoken and written English.
• Self‑starter, motivated, driven and with a desire to learn.
• Ability to interpret and present complex data.
• Strong presentation skills.
• Capable of leading and challenging agencies and managing and coaching team members.
• 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 full pay)

👶 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

We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. We understand that every candidate is unique, and we welcome the opportunity to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that all individuals can fully participate in our interview process. If you require any adjustments or support to facilitate your interview, please do not hesitate to reach out to [e-mail]. We are happy to discuss your needs and make arrangements that support your participation to best showcase your skills and qualifications.

At Kia, we are committed to employing the best‑qualified people and provide equal opportunity for the advancement of employees including promotion and training and thereby not discriminating against any person because of gender, race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, religion, belief or disability.