Social Media Manager

John Locke Institute; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The John Locke Institute (JLI) is seeking a Social Media Manager to join our Marketing Department and own the Institute’s presence across all major platforms. You will produce and curate engaging content, maintain the Institute’s voice, and help launch new initiatives such as a magazine and podcast.

You will set growth targets, manage a content calendar, engage with alumni, and train interns to capture photography and video.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of social media and content experience.
• Proven growth of audiences and engagement.
• Strong English writing and editorial judgement.
• Experience with education sector is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Set growth targets and report progress monthly with the Marketing Director.
• Build a content calendar aligned to admissions cycles and deadlines.
• Adapt content for social channels maintaining a consistent institutional voice.
• Manage daily community engagement and respond to comments.
• Develop relationships with alumni and student advocates as contributors.
• Coach Summer Programme interns in photography, video, and interviews.
• Track platform performance and refine content strategy based on data.
• Stay updated on platform changes and best practices.

Skills

Social media strategy

Content creation

Community management

Analytics & reporting

English writing

Tools

Meta Business Suite

Canva

CapCut

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Some international travel will be required

Applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis.The vacancy will close once a suitable applicant is found.

Early application is encouraged.

About the Role

The John Locke Institute (JLI) is looking for a Social Media Manager to join our Marketing Department who will own and grow the Institute’s presence across all major social platforms. The role is responsible for producing and curating content and maintaining the Institutes voice in day-to-day output.

The JLI currently uses 3 primary platforms on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. The platforms are responsible for attracting students to the Summer Programmes and Global Essay Prize, and to keep alumni, faculty and partners engaged with the Institute. Going forward the channels will be used to facilitate the launch of the John Locke magazine, podcast and debating championship.

The JLI is a small, founder-led organisation of approximately 15–20 people. Ideological compatibility with JLI's classical liberal positioning is a requirement for this role. Candidates must be able to articulate the Institute's mission with genuine conviction and enthusiasm.Candidates will be required to demonstrate a strong portfolio; we are interested in accounts you have grown, the content you have made and the audiences you have engaged.

What You Will Do

• Set channel-level growth and engagement targets with the Director of Marketing, and report against them monthly.
• Build and manage a content calendar aligned to the admissions cycle, competition deadlines, and programme calendar.
• Adapt and publish material from the Summer Programmes and the Global Essay Prize and, going forward, the Locke Magazine, the podcast, and the debating championship, for social channels, whilst maintaining a consistent institutional voice.
• Manage day-to-day community engagement, responding to comments and cultivating the Institute's online audience.
• Develop and steward relationships with alumni, ambassadors, and student advocates as content contributors.
• Train and supervise Summer Programme interns in capturing high-quality photography, video, and interviews suitable for use across the Institute's social channels.
• Track and report on performance across platforms, using channel data to refine content, format, and timing.
• Stay current with platform changes, trends, and best practice.

What You Will Bring

• 3+ years of experience in social media and content, including ownership of an organisation’s channels in-house.
• Measurable audience growth.
• Proven track record of growing and managing social media for an organisation or brand, with measurable results.
• Excellent written and spoken English and sharp editorial judgement.
• Proficiency with social media management and analytics tools (e.g. Meta Business Suite, native platform analytics, scheduling tools).
• Proficiency with design tools (Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, CapCut or equivalent) for producing and directing visual content.
• The ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines across time zones.
• Experience in education sector is a plus.
• Experience working across international audiences, ideally including both UK and US markets.

Skills and Attributes for Success

• A commitment to quality, clarity, and the Institute's measured, authoritative voice.
• Sympathy for the John Locke Institute’s intellectual positioning.
• Self-motivated, able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Openness to accept and implement constructive feedback.
• Willingness to travel internationally.

Our Recruitment Process

• CV submission
• Video Q&A
• 2 full interviews
• Applicants will be asked to submit three examples of their work for which they were principally responsible, with a short note on their role and the outcome