Social Lead

AB InBev Africa; Randburg; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading beverage company in Randburg, Gauteng, is seeking a Social Media Manager. The role involves leading social media strategy and community engagement, ensuring high-quality content and effective communication. Candidates should have at least 3 years’ experience in both community and social media management, plus previous leadership experience. Ideal applicants will possess excellent leadership and communication skills, and a strong understanding of South African culture. This role offers the chance to drive innovative digital storytelling while enhancing brand presence.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in community management.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in social media management.
• Minimum of 1 year in a people management or leadership role.

Responsibilities

• Lead social media strategy and community engagement.
• Drive creative excellence across social media and content.
• Implement crisis communication protocols on social platforms.

Skills

Leadership

Community management

Social media management

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Problem-solving

Understanding of South African culture

Education

Higher Certificate, Diploma, or relevant qualification

Job description

Overview

Dreaming big is in our DNA. It’s who we are as a company. It’s our culture. It’s our heritage. And more than ever, it’s our future. A future where we’re always looking forward. Always serving up new ways to meet life’s moments. A future where we keep dreaming bigger. We look for people with passion, talent, and curiosity, and provide them with the teammates, resources and opportunities to unleash their full potential. The power we create together – when we combine your strengths with ours – is unstoppable. Are you ready to join a team that dreams as big as you do?

The Key Purpose of this role is to Lead and elevate social media strategy, community engagement, and digital storytelling by championing best practices, driving creative excellence, and strengthening brand presence across social and digital platforms through effective leadership, governance, and execution.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Strategy, Planning & Performance Delivery
  • Champion social media best practices and forward-thinking digital strategies across brands.
  • Drive creative excellence and innovation across communications, PR, social media, events, and content.
  • Translate brand objectives into effective social media strategies and execution plans.
  • Identify, track, and act on relevant community and social media KPIs.
  • Ensure content and engagement strategies align with brand goals and cultural relevance.
• Community & Brand Engagement
  • Lead and oversee community management across platforms.
  • Shape and influence online brand conversations through consistent, two-way engagement.
  • Ensure professional, timely, and on-brand responses across all channels.
  • Oversee live event coverage and real-time engagement where required.
  • Implement and manage crisis communication protocols on social platforms.
• Content & Campaign Execution
  • Review and approve all social media briefs and content plans.
  • Oversee the execution of campaigns, ensuring content is created, scheduled, published, and monitored effectively.
  • Ensure high-quality storytelling across multiple accounts and platforms.
  • Monitor campaign performance and optimise execution where required.
• Team Management & Leadership
  • Allocate tasks and projects across the social team to ensure efficient resource utilisation.
  • Monitor performance, provide feedback, coaching, and mentorship to team members.
  • Conduct performance reviews and lead monthly one-on-one development sessions.
  • Identify training and development needs and coordinate professional growth opportunities.
  • Ensure team compliance with working hours, timesheets, and studio development requirements.
• Operational Processes & Governance
  • Develop, refine, and manage workflows for content creation, approval, publishing, and reporting.
  • Ensure adherence to social media policies, guidelines, and SAB/AB InBev business policies.
  • Ensure team accountability and compliance with internal standards and processes.
  • Oversee tool and platform access required for effective social media management.
• Stakeholder Management
  • Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders to drive efficiency and alignment.
  • Manage stakeholder expectations through regular updates and feedback loops.
  • Gather stakeholder feedback and address concerns promptly.
  • Foster collaboration between the social team and other DraftLine studio departments to enable data-driven creativity.
• Reporting & Administration
  • Provide regular updates to the Head of Social and Digital Content on team performance, progress, and issues.
  • Coordinate and lead team meetings, including agenda setting and action tracking.
  • Oversee reporting on campaign performance, engagement metrics, and community insights.
  • Ensure accurate administration related to performance management, resource planning, and operational delivery.
• Key Attributes & Competencies
  • Strong leadership and people management capability.
  • Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
  • High attention to detail with strong analytical and problem-solving ability.
  • Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple accounts simultaneously.
  • Strong understanding of South African and African culture.
  • Clear understanding of KPIs and how to translate them into action.
  • Energetic, proactive, and accountable self-starter.
  • Adaptable with the ability to navigate fast-paced digital environments.
  • Interest and basic understanding of sports.
• Minimum Requirements
  • Education
    • Matric.
    • Higher Certificate, Diploma, or relevant tertiary qualification or certification.
  • Experience
    • Minimum of 3 years’ experience in community management.
    • Minimum of 3 years’ experience in social media management.
    • Minimum of 1 year in a people management or leadership role.
    • Proven experience as a Social Media Manager or similar role.
    • Experience planning and leading community initiatives.
    • Live event coverage experience.
    • Strong understanding of social media platforms and online marketing.
• Additional Information
  • Band: VII

SAB/AB InBev is an equal opportunity employer, and all appointments will be made in line with SAB/AB InBev employment equity plan and talent requirements. The advert has minimum requirements listed. Management reserves the right to use additional or relevant information as criteria for short-listing.