Position Overview
We are seeking a creative, highly engaged Social Media Manager / UGC Content Creator to join a consumer brand's communications and social media team. This role is ideal for a platform-native content creator who lives and breathes social media, understands internet culture, and can independently develop, film, edit, and publish engaging content.
The ideal candidate is not simply someone who manages social media accounts or oversees content production. We are looking for a hands‑on creator who is comfortable appearing on camera, has strong video and graphic editing skills, and understands what makes content feel authentic to platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts.
This position combines approximately 50% creative strategy and ideation with 50% hands‑on content production and filming. The individual will work alongside an existing team of creators to develop engaging, culturally relevant content that strengthens the brand's social media presence.
Key Responsibilities
- Serve as on-camera talent, creating engaging, personality-driven content representing the brand.
- Independently conceptualize, script, film, edit, and publish short-form videos, typically ranging from under one minute to three minutes.
- Develop authentic, platform-native UGC-style content for TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and other social channels.
- Produce a variety of content formats, including direct‑to‑camera videos, voiceovers, reactive content, educational clips, and trend‑driven content.
- Demonstrate strong on‑camera presence, storytelling abilities, and an understanding of how to engage digital audiences.
- Participate in creative filming opportunities, potentially including on‑location shoots, interviews, and other real‑world content.
Video Editing & Graphic Design
- Independently edit short‑form social videos using Adobe Premiere Pro and other Adobe Creative Suite applications.
- Create and edit static graphics, memes, social media visuals, and supporting creative assets using Adobe Photoshop.
- Incorporate captions, transitions, sound effects, graphics, and other editing techniques to create engaging, platform‑specific content.
- Manage the content production process from initial concept through final delivery.
- Produce high‑quality creative assets under tight deadlines while maintaining brand consistency.
- Collaborate with other creators on more complex video and creative projects.
Creative Strategy, Social Trends & Brand Storytelling
- Continuously monitor TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, X, Reddit, and emerging social platforms to identify relevant trends, memes, cultural moments, and audience behaviors.
- Develop original content ideas that connect trending conversations with brand messaging.
- Quickly identify opportunities to create timely, reactive content around current events, industry news, and cultural conversations.
- Translate creative concepts into engaging scripts, video formats, graphics, and social media posts.
- Maintain a strong understanding of internet culture and what makes content authentic and engaging across different platforms.
- Help establish and maintain a recognizable, relatable, and engaging brand voice.
- Partner with existing content creators, creative teams, and communications stakeholders to execute social media initiatives.
- Support the development and execution of editorial calendars while remaining flexible to respond to emerging trends.
- Create content tailored to each platform's unique audience, trends, and creative formats.
- Balance planned content with fast‑turnaround, trend‑driven creative opportunities.
- Contribute creative ideas and production expertise to larger social media campaigns.
- Support the growth and development of social media channels through original, engaging content.
Required Qualifications
- Proven experience as a UGC Content Creator, Social Media Content Creator, Digital Content Creator, or similar hands‑on creative professional.
- Demonstrated on‑camera experience is required, including the ability to confidently speak, present, or perform in video content.
- Strong experience independently creating short‑form, platform‑native social media videos.
- Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Adobe Premiere Pro and Photoshop, is required.
- Strong video editing skills, including transitions, captions, pacing, graphics, audio, and storytelling.
- Experience creating and editing static graphics and other social media visual assets.
- Deep understanding of TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and emerging social media trends.
- Strong familiarity with internet culture, memes, platform‑specific humor, and audience engagement.
- Ability to independently take creative ideas from concept through filming, editing, and publication.
- Strong creative ideation, storytelling, and copywriting skills.
- Ability to work quickly and produce timely content in a fast‑paced environment.
- Strong collaboration and communication skills.
- Ability to work on‑site with the creative team in San Diego, CA.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience creating UGC‑style content for consumer brands or as an independent digital creator.
- Experience serving as an on‑camera brand personality, influencer, presenter, or video host.
- Background in television, broadcasting, digital media, or video production, provided the candidate also demonstrates strong social platform knowledge and hands‑on editing skills.
- Experience creating both educational and entertainment‑focused short‑form content.
- Experience developing reactive content around current events, social trends, and cultural moments.
- Experience building a distinct brand voice or contributing to the launch of new social media channels.
- Experience filming content outside traditional studio environments, including interviews, street‑style content, or on‑location shoots.
Candidates should have a portfolio or examples of original work demonstrating:
- On‑camera content: Videos featuring the candidate speaking, presenting, or performing on camera.
- Short‑form video production: Original TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, or similar content.
- Video editing: Examples demonstrating editing techniques, pacing, transitions, captions, and visual storytelling.
- Graphic design: Examples of static social graphics, memes, or other visual content.
- Creative execution: Examples showing how the candidate developed an idea and brought it through production to final publication.