Social Media Manager Job Description Template (2026)

Full JD (copy-ready)

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# Social Media Manager — Job Description

## Role summary
A Social Media Manager owns the organic social presence across Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, X, YouTube, and Facebook — content calendars aligned to brand pillars, native-format creative (Reels, Shorts, Carousels), community management and DM response, creator/UGC partnerships, trend monitoring, and native analytics reporting. NOT paid media: partners with the paid team but owns the organic-led brand voice and follower growth.

## Responsibilities
- Build and maintain a rolling 30-60 day content calendar across Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, X, YouTube Shorts, and Facebook in Notion or Airtable.
- Define content pillars and post formats per platform — Reels for IG, short-form vertical for TikTok/Shorts, carousels for LinkedIn, threads for X.
- Write platform-native captions, hooks, and hashtags; no cross-posting the same copy untouched.
- Produce or brief static graphics (Canva/Figma) and short-form video covers; coordinate with video editors for Reels/TikTok.
- Schedule and publish via Buffer, Later, Sprout Social, or Meta Business Suite; time sends to audience activity windows per platform.
- Own community management: reply to comments, mentions, and DMs within SLA (typically 2-4 business hours), in brand voice.
- Monitor trends on TikTok Creative Center, Instagram Trends, X trending topics; flag timely content opportunities within 24 hours.
- Manage creator and influencer partnerships: outreach, brief, contract, content approval, and performance tracking (separate from paid influencer spend).
- Coordinate UGC collection and rights management (through Bazaarvoice, Tagshop, or direct permission).
- Build weekly and monthly reports from native analytics (Instagram Insights, TikTok Analytics, LinkedIn Analytics, YouTube Studio) + Metricool or Sprout.
- Run A/B tests on hook lines, thumbnails, post timing, and CTAs; document winners in the brand voice guide.
- Moderate negative comments, spam, and reputation risks via a documented tiered response tree; escalate PR risks to leadership within 30 minutes.

## Must-have skills
- 3+ years running organic social for a consumer, DTC, or B2B brand with measurable follower/engagement growth.
- Platform-native fluency across at least 3 of: Instagram (Reels, Stories, carousels), TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube Shorts, X.
- Short-form video literacy: can shoot/edit basic Reels in CapCut or InShot, knows hook-problem-payoff structure.
- Copywriting for social: hooks, captions, CTAs, platform-specific voice — NOT long-form blog style.
- Native analytics fluency: can read Instagram Insights / TikTok Analytics / LinkedIn page analytics without a dashboard layer.
- Community management discipline: SLA-based response, tiered escalation, crisis playbook.
- Scheduling tool experience: Buffer, Later, Sprout Social, Hootsuite, or Meta Business Suite.

## Nice-to-have skills
- On-camera presence or willingness to appear in short-form video (big plus for founder-led brands).
- Creator/influencer outreach and negotiation experience.
- Video editing in CapCut, Premiere, or Final Cut beyond basics.
- Podcast repurposing (audiograms, clips, quote cards).
- LinkedIn thought-leadership writing for executive ghostwriting.
- Employee advocacy program experience (EveryoneSocial, Hootsuite Amplify).

## Tools and technology
- Buffer / Later / Sprout Social / Hootsuite
- Canva / Figma
- CapCut / InShot (video editing)
- Notion / Airtable (content calendar)
- Meta Business Suite
- TikTok Creative Center
- LinkedIn Analytics
- Metricool
- Loomly / Planable (approval workflows)

## Reporting structure
Reports to the Head of Marketing, Brand Manager, or Digital Marketing Manager. Collaborates daily with the designer/video editor for creative, with the copywriter on brand voice, weekly with the paid ads manager on organic post boosts and creative learnings, and with customer support on DM handoffs.

## Success metrics (KPIs)
- Follower growth rate per platform (not just count).
- Engagement rate by reach (ERR) — typically 3-6% IG Reels, 4-8% TikTok, 2-5% LinkedIn.
- Reach and average views per post trending flat or up as cadence scales.
- DM-to-sales handoff conversion (for social-commerce brands) or SQL contribution (for B2B).
- UGC volume and rights secured per month.
- Response SLA compliance on comments and DMs.