Sr. Manager, Audience Growth

Sxsw.; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

SXSW is seeking a Senior Manager, Audience Growth to lead social strategy across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and Threads. The role focuses on translating the brand voice into engaging content that drives audience growth and strategic initiatives.

The ideal candidate has exceptional writing and editing skills, a strong eye for visuals, proven YouTube growth metrics, and a track record turning data into actionable strategy.

Qualifications

• Based in Austin, Texas (required).
• 8+ years of professional social media experience, with strong editorial judgment, clean writing skills, and management experience.
• Demonstrated experience growing a YouTube audience, including subscriber growth, watch time, and view performance, with metrics you can speak to.
• Experience managing social media for a magazine, creative agency, website, or brand, with an understanding of brand voice.
• A savvy strategist who knows how to use social platforms and tools.
• An innovative thinker with big ideas and lots of creative energy.
• Proficiency with social platforms (including TikTok, YouTube, and emerging platforms) and tools (including SocialFlow, Google Analytics, YouTube Studio, and Hootsuite)
• Video editing proficiency in Adobe Premiere, TikTok Editor, and CapCut
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
• Excellent communication and organization skills

Responsibilities

• Devise and oversee a social and social video strategy that drives growth and engagement across all SXSW digital platforms, including YouTube
• Grow and manage SXSW's YouTube channel, including audience development, channel strategy, optimization, and performance analysis
• Manage, develop, and grow talent on the social team, including staffers and freelance contributors
• Drive a consistent strategy for high-performing, growth-driving daily content
• Create content for and post to the brand’s Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Bluesky, and LinkedIn accounts
• Work with the Executive Editor and Content team to create and execute social-first initiatives
• Ensure the team meets weekly TikTok Publisher program quotas with original content
• Manage content rollouts for major franchises, tentpole events, and timely announcements
• Increase engagement and follower growth on key platforms
• Deliver informative reporting on tentpole events to key stakeholders
• Extend the lifecycle of content across platforms through creative storytelling
• Partner with the Executive Editor to plan and execute original programming that succeeds on social platforms and YouTube
• Deliver robust rollout plans for video launches
• Liaise with Video Editors on long-form video and cut-down strategy

Skills

Editorial judgment

Clean writing

Management experience

YouTube audience growth

Brand voice

Strategic thinking

Social platforms proficiency

Tools

SocialFlow

Google Analytics

YouTube Studio

Hootsuite

Adobe Premiere

CapCut

TikTok Editor

Job description

Job Purpose

SXSW is looking for a Senior Manager, Audience Growth to lead social strategy across the brand's platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and Threads. You will bring SXSW's experiential curation to life on social, translating our brand voice into content that drives innovation, engagement, and audience growth. The ideal candidate has exceptional writing and editing skills, a strong eye for visuals, a proven record of growing YouTube audiences, and the ability to turn data into strategy.

Duties & Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Devise and oversee a social and social video strategy that drives growth and engagement across all SXSW digital platforms, including YouTube
• Grow and manage SXSW's YouTube channel, including audience development, channel strategy, optimization, and performance analysis
• Manage, develop, and grow talent on the social team, including staffers and freelance contributors
• Drive a consistent strategy for high-performing, growth-driving daily content
• Create content for and post to the brand’s Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Bluesky, and LinkedIn accounts
• Work with the Executive Editor and Content team to create and execute social-first initiatives
• Ensure the team meets weekly TikTok Publisher program quotas with original content
• Manage content rollouts for major franchises, tentpole events, and timely announcements
• Increase engagement and follower growth on key platforms
• Deliver informative reporting on tentpole events to key stakeholders
• Extend the lifecycle of content across platforms through creative storytelling
• Partner with the Executive Editor to plan and execute original programming that succeeds on social platforms and YouTube
• Deliver robust rollout plans for video launches
• Liaise with Video Editors on long-form video and cut-down strategy

Qualifications & Skills

Qualifications include:

• Based in Austin, Texas (required)
• 8+ years of professional social media experience, with strong editorial judgment, clean writing skills, and management experience
• Demonstrated experience growing a YouTube audience, including subscriber growth, watch time, and view performance, with metrics you can speak to.
• Experience managing social media for a magazine, creative agency, website, or brand, with an understanding of brand voice
• A savvy strategist who knows how to use social platforms and tools
• An innovative thinker with big ideas and lots of creative energy
• Proficiency with social platforms (including TikTok, YouTube, and emerging platforms) and tools (including SocialFlow, Google Analytics, YouTube Studio, and Hootsuite)
• Video editing proficiency in Adobe Premiere, TikTok Editor, and CapCut
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
• Excellent communication and organization skills

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully:

• Prolonged periods of sitting or standing at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 10 pounds, as needed.
• Operation of standard office equipment, including computers, phones, and printers.
• May require occasional bending, reaching, kneeling, or climbing stairs.
• Ability to work outdoors, including exposure to varying temperatures or noise levels.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Location & Schedule

The position is a full-time seasonal position located in Austin, Texas. You must be available to work additional hours from January through March, including evenings and weekends, and during the March event, which will have extended on-site hours.