Creative Social Media Manager

Wundermanthompson; Lisboa; Hybrid; EUR 36,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

VML is seeking a Creative Social Media Manager in Lisbon to drive social growth and vertical video innovation for a diverse client roster. You will be the creative and strategic architect for clients' social channels, translating brand identities into high-retention TikTok, Reels, and Shorts content.

With a social-first mindset, develop platform-native ideas and pitch content plans. You will also film and edit short-form videos, using insights to refine performance and results.

Qualifications

• 3-5+ years of experience in social media/creative strategy or content role.
• Native-level Portuguese (written and spoken) with professional working proficiency in English.
• Deep understanding of TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts algorithms, hooks, and retention.

Responsibilities

• Manage monthly content calendars and platform scheduling across client accounts (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook).
• Develop platform strategies, recurring video series, and content pillars for varied industries.
• Create, film and edit short-form videos from concept to delivery for social channels.

Skills

Social media strategy

TikTok expertise

Video editing

Content planning

Brand voice adaptation

Tools

TikTok

Instagram

YouTube Shorts

Job description

Who We Are

VML is a global creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce to create connected brands that drive growth. Guided by a Human First philosophy, VML is known for its innovative work for brands and consistently ranks among the world's leading creative companies, including the WARC Creative 100. VML's global network spans 55+ markets with principal offices in Buenos Aires, Kansas City, London, New York, São Paulo, Shanghai and Singapore.

VML is part of WPP, the trusted growth partner for the world's leading brands. Powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform WPP Open, WPP unites cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, creativity, production, enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel.

For more information, please visit www.vml.com and follow along on LinkedIn #WeAreVML.

About the Role

We are looking for an agile, strategically minded Creative Social Media Manager to drive social growth and vertical video innovation across our diverse roster of agency clients.

In this role, you will act as the creative and strategic architect for our clients' social channels. You understand how to hook audiences and translate distinct client brand identities into high-retention TikTok, Reels, and Shorts content.

With a social-first mindset, you'll develop and pitch platform-native content ideas, with a particular focus on TikTok. You'll also be hands-on in bringing those ideas to life by creating, filming and editing short-form videos, and using performance insights to refine what works.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage monthly content calendars, publishing cadences, and platform scheduling across client accounts (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook).
• Develop custom platform strategies, recurring video series, and content pillars tailored to each client's industry and business goals.
• Conceptualize high-retention short-form video ideas, architecting strong hooks, narrative pacing, on-screen text hierarchies, and trending audio pairings.
• Develop and execute social-first content ideas, with a particular focus on TikTok. Create, film and edit short-form videos from concept to delivery.
• Pitch creative concepts, present monthly content plans, and serve as the go-to expert on social trends and short-form media.
• Identify emerging Portuguese internet trends, memes, audio, and subcultures, pitching timely and brand-safe reactive concepts to relevant clients.

Role Requirements

• 3-5+ years of experience in a social media, creative strategy, or content role, preferably within a digital or creative agency.
• Ability to seamlessly switch between distinct brand voices, industry verticals, and competing deadlines.
• Obsesive, intuitive understanding of TikTok, Instagram (Reels), and YouTube Shorts algorithms, narrative hooks, and retention psychology.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex client briefs into simple, inspiring production briefs for creative teams and creators.
• Strong presentation and communication skills to pitch creative ideas and explain strategic choices to client stakeholders.
• Experience reading retention graphs and engagement data to explain why content performed and how to improve it.
• Deep familiarity with Portuguese digital culture, local humor, slang, and the local creator ecosystem.
• Native-level Portuguese (written and spoken) with professional working proficiency in English.

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we've adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office an average of four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

WPP (VML) is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.