Social Media Lead

Publicis Groupe Holdings B.V; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A global networked experience agency is seeking a Social Lead in Johannesburg. This position involves developing high-impact social media strategies that align with brand objectives. The ideal candidate will lead a social media team, manage client relationships, and drive engagement with innovative campaigns. Required qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and 5+ years of digital marketing experience, focusing on social media. Candidates should be proficient in analytics tools and have a proven track record in managing social campaigns.

Benefits

Training and development opportunities

Collaborative work environment

Access to leading brands

Qualifications

• 5+ years of digital marketing experience with an emphasis on social media.
• Minimum 3 years of managing direct reports.
• Proven experience in managing social campaigns.

Responsibilities

• Lead the social strategic process to create content and build audiences.
• Manage and mentor a team of social media professionals.
• Develop and implement comprehensive social media strategies.

Skills

Social media management

Analytics tools proficiency

Content development

Client relationship management

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, or Digital Media

Tools

Sprout Social

Hootsuite

Google Analytics

Job description

Company description

Digitas is the Networked Experience Agency, built on the vision that we create magnetic experiences that earn the right for brands to exist in human networks. Today, and tomorrow. We deliver Networked Experiences by leveraging comprehensive data, technology, creative, media and strategy capabilities. Digitas delivers ambitious outcomes via unique solutions that include Creative Experiences, Integrated Media, Addressable Relationships, Social Marketing and Total Commerce. The Digitas culture is made up of fearless, inventive and generous Unicorns of all kinds.

Digitas: Digitas serves the world’s leading brands through a global network comprised of more than 5,500 employees across over 65 offices in 43 countries. In South Africa, Digitas is also expanding its Total Commerce capability into the Publicis Commerce capability and communities, offering Commerce solutions that combine CRM, social, data, media, and creative to drive customer engagement and business growth.

What We Offer

• A dynamic, collaborative environment within a global network.
• Opportunities to work on leading brands and innovative commerce solutions.
• Access to training and development across data, tech, and strategy.
• A culture of fearless, inventive, and generous unicorns.

Culture commitment

• We are approachable & globally supportive.
• We are in this together and solution orientated.
• We always do the right thing.
• We are never afraid.

Overview

As the social lead working across multiple teams, you’ll live at the intersection of media, creative, analytics, strategy, and content. There are tons of digital social and content opportunities out there—you’ll figure out which opportunities are right for our clients and how to activate them. You are someone who champions a modern approach to connected brand experiences powered by social; who understands consumer behavior and context, and architects and orchestrates social (paid, owned, shared, earned) communications to define how brands connect to people in a digital world. Sound like you? Read on.

The Social Lead is responsible for developing and executing high-impact social media strategies that align with brand objectives, drive engagement, and support integrated marketing campaigns. This role leads the social media team and collaborates with creative, media, and client service teams to ensure consistent and innovative brand storytelling across all platforms.

Responsibilities

Day-to-day, your role includes:

• Leading the social strategic process, providing the insights and tactics to create content, build audiences and amplify a client’s reach
• Providing smart perspective on overall social and content industry landscape, trends and best practices
• Driving thought leadership around content development, engagement practices, measurement, and process
• Helping brands develop governance and escalation policies for social media
• Cultivating strong relationships with 3rd party content providers and platforms
• Presenting to and strategising with clients on specific brand social initiatives

Strategy & Planning

• Develop and implement comprehensive social media strategies tailored to client goals and target audiences.
• Lead social media planning for integrated campaigns, ensuring alignment with broader marketing objectives.
• Stay ahead of trends, platform updates, and emerging technologies to keep strategies fresh and effective.

Team Leadership

• Manage and mentor a team of social media managers, content creators, and community managers.
• Oversee daily operations of the social team, ensuring timely delivery of content and campaigns.

Content & Campaign Management

• Oversee content calendars, ensuring a consistent brand voice and visual identity.
• Collaborate with creative teams to produce engaging, platform‑appropriate content (video, static, stories, etc.).
• Manage paid social campaigns in partnership with media teams, optimizing for performance.

Analytics & Reporting

• Monitor KPIs and performance metrics across platforms (e.g., engagement, reach, conversions).
• Provide regular reports and insights to internal stakeholders and clients.
• Use data to refine strategies and improve ROI.

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as the primary social media expert in client meetings and presentations.
• Provide strategic counsel and thought leadership on social trends and innovations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, Communications, Digital Media, or related field.
• 5+ years of digital marketing experience, with an emphasis on social media and or/content development for major clients.
• Minimum 3 years of managing direct reports.
• Proven experience in managing social campaigns for brands in an agency or fast‑paced environment.
• Proficiency in social media management and analytics tools (e.g., Sprout Social, Hootsuite, Meta Business Suite, Google Analytics).
• A strong understanding of social media planning, distribution and content syndication.
• Superb experience leading creative thinking in the digital space: content, media, social and activation.
• The ability to develop strong relationships with internal and external partners.
• Well versed in new technology, new content solutions, social media events and developments—plus a strong connection with entertainment and pop culture.
• A strong sense of consumer insights—you get what makes people tick.
• The ability to back up great creative ideas with sound analytical reasoning.
• A strong, up‑to‑date point of view on digital media, social channels and content platforms and up and coming partners, practices and initiatives.
• Poise and eloquence—when you speak with clients, they listen.
• Willingness to travel—you’re open to new places, new faces and new ideas.
• Familiarity with prompt‑based interaction and commonly used generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Google Gemini, DALL·E, Midjourney) is a plus, especially for tasks like ideation, research, or content generation.

Personality Attributes

• Team player with the ability to work independently.
• Able to remain calm in a highly pressurised environment.
• Assertive and resilient.
• Proactive, energetic, and approachable.
• Problem solver / solution driven and Creative “out of the box” strategic thinker.
• Meticulous with attention to detail.
• Flexible to work beyond normal office hours (overtime if and when required).
• Comfortable to work from the Publicis Groupe office (on‑site).

This role oversees two sites, one in Cape Town and one in Johannesburg, so travel will be required from time to time.

Additional information

Ready to make social magnetic? Apply now and help us shape the future of commerce through social‑first experiences.

Digitas is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits any forms of Discrimination or Harassment. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all our employees in line with our Employment Equity Plan.

All appointments will be based on qualifications, experience and best fit but preference will be given to candidates from designated groups. Interested candidates must please submit a concise CV including a link to your portfolio. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Should you not hear from us within 2 weeks after submitting your application, please consider your application as unsuccessful.

Visit www.digitas.com/en-za for more on Digitas ZA.