Social Media Manager

Closing Date

Social Media Manager

Social media isnt just about posts and platforms.

At Southern Water its about trust transparency and telling a story that really matters.

Were looking for an experienced strategic social media professional to lead our social presence and help shape how were seen understood and trusted by the communities we serve.

This is a senior handson role at the heart of Corporate Affairs owning our social media strategy strengthening our online reputation and helping the organisation navigate complex and fastmoving issues with confidence and clarity.

Make your impact on the worldwater is essential to life. The work we do today affects rivers coastlines communities and future generations.

Your work will directly influence how that story is told.

What youll be responsible for

Strategy narrative and direction

Youll set and own Southern Waters social media strategy defining how our channels support wider Corporate Affairs reputation and stakeholder objectives.

Youll lead a strategic approach to improving our online reputation amplifying positive narratives strengthening trust and driving meaningful authentic engagement.

Youll shape and maintain a proactive insightled content calendar across multiple platforms aligned to corporate priorities stakeholder interests and customer needs.

Youll create highquality engaging content tailored to audience and platform switching tone and approach confidently whether youre explaining complex issues celebrating progress or responding under pressure.

Content planning and channel management

Youll lead channel planning scheduling and publishing to maximise impact reach and relevance.

Youll optimise content for platform functionality and behaviour from video and Reels to Stories threads and carousels always keeping pace with how audiences actually engage.

Issues monitoring and reputational risk

Youll monitor all social channels for emerging issues using sound judgement to spot risks early and recommend (or deliver) the right response.

Working closely with Corporate Affairs Press Office and Public Affairs colleagues youll help ensure responses are aligned timely and protect the integrity of the Southern Water brand.

Youll provide clear trusted advice to senior stakeholders on the social media implications of developing stories.

Insight performance and continuous improvement

Youll track performance analyse sentiment and engagement and turn insight into practical recommendations to improve reach transparency and trust.

Youll continually refine content and cadence based on analytics customer insight and platform changes.

Youll lead horizon scanning keeping the organisation informed of emerging trends risks and opportunities in social media and digital communications.

Collaboration and best practice

Youll champion social media best practice across Southern Water supporting colleagues to raise the quality and consistency of their content.

Youll build strong relationships across Corporate Affairs Customer Operations and leadership teams to source powerful stories and deliver joinedup messaging.

What were looking for

Youll already be operating confidently in a senior social media role ideally within a complex highprofile or highly scrutinised organisation.

Youll bring:

• 5 years experience in social media roles with a strong strategic edge
• A deep understanding of the corporate affairs political and media landscape and how that plays out on social
• Proven experience handling reputational issues and sensitive communications
• A track record of growing engagement and strengthening social presence for brands or organisations
• A versatile writing style adaptable across platforms audiences and moments
• Strong knowledge of platform algorithms and optimisation tactics
• Confidence building relationships and influencing at multiple levels
• Calm resilient decisionmaking under pressure and in fastmoving situations

Youll also be:

• Genuinely obsessed with social media and always scanning for whats next
• Creative curious and proactive with a drive to keep improving standards
• Passionate about content that resonates engages and builds trust
• Highly organised able to juggle multiple priorities in a demanding environment
• Collaborative constructive and comfortable working across disciplines

Experience of press office or public affairs environments is highly beneficial.