Head of Social Media

Head of Social Media

Full time, based in Farringdon, London (4 days/week, 1 day from home)

Ascend Media is a global luxury publishing group that produces Elite Traveler, Spear’s, and The World of Fine Wine. Across travel, wealth, and wine, we serve highly engaged ultra-high-net-worth audiences through best-in-class editorial, events, and digital experiences. Under the leadership of our Managing Director - Lifestyle and Chief Brand Officer, we are embarking on an exciting period of growth and innovation.

We’re seeking a strategic and brand-savvy Head of Social Media to lead and grow our social media presence across our brands. This is a pivotal role for someone with a sophisticated editorial eye, deep understanding of the social landscape, and the ability to translate brand vision into impactful daily engagement.

Focus: Strategy, video-first content, influencer network, dark posts, analytics, and campaign execution across all brands

Key responsibilities:

• Develop and execute tailored social media strategies for Elite Traveler, Spear’s, and The World of Fine Wine and Ascend Media
• Lead on identifying trends, opportunities, and innovations that align with brand and business objectives
• Lead content planning and scheduling, developing integrated content calendars aligned with editorial, marketing, events, and commercial teams
• Work with our AI engineers to create cutting edge social media innovations that are pioneering in market
• Translate editorial features, brand moments, and events into platform-native, high-impact content
• Concept and commission original series, franchises, or recurring formats tailored to each brand (e.g. Reels series for Elite Traveler, LinkedIn video spotlights for Spear’s)
• Collaborate closely with video producers, designers, and editorial leads to deliver premium visual output
• Analyse performance metrics and audience insights to optimise content and drive KPIs (engagement, growth, CTR, reach)
• Drive platform growth through smart use of formats: Reels, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, LinkedIn video, etc.
• Manage a social content calendar with strong emphasis on social-first storytelling
• Build platform-specific content strategies (IG vs LinkedIn vs TikTok vs Threads/X)
• Collaborate with editorial to ideate content from feature development stage onward (i.e. "what’s the hook for social?")
• Manage paid strategy and dark posts for sponsored or white-label campaigns
• Analyse performance data to optimise content, timing, format, and boost strategy
• Identify and manage creator/influencer collaborations to expand reach
• Guide and develop junior social staff or freelancers

Skills and experience:

• Demonstrated experience (preferred 5+ years) in a social role with proven growth results and campaign delivery
• Deep knowledge of paid social/dark posting and creator strategy
• Strong visual and video instincts; ideally familiar with luxury, wealth, and/or travel sectors
• Comfortable with analytics tools
• Strong editorial and storytelling instincts, with a creative eye for social hooks and visual pacing
• Deep understanding of the UHNWI and HNWI audiences
• Collaborative, commercial-minded, highly plugged into social trends
• Familiarity with tools such as Meta Business Suite, CapCut, Adobe Creative Suite, Sprout, Later, Airtable

Company benefits:

• 25 days' holiday (plus bank holidays)
• Additional days off for your birthday, health and well-being day and volunteering day
• Subscription to group publications and all other online content
• Access to a discounted shopping program
• Cycle to work scheme
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Enhanced company sick pay after probation

Note, this role offers hybrid working, working from home one day per week.

Applications meeting the selection criteria will be reviewed as soon as possible.

Progressive Media Investments values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. Please inform the hiring manager if you require any reasonable adjustments so that you can fully participate in the recruitment process.

Please note, candidates must have, or be able to obtain, the right to live and work in the United Kingdom.