Social & Community Director, Esquire at Hearst

We are the UK's leading premium publisher, home to iconic and influential media brands including Esquire, Men's & Women's Health, ELLE, Good Housekeeping, Harper's Bazaar, Digital Spy, Cosmopolitan, Red and more. At Hearst UK, we don't just create content – we shape culture.

Our workplace is driven by passion, shaped by authenticity and powered by creativity. We back bold ideas, act with an entrepreneurial mindset and continually evolve to meet the moment – while respecting the legacy that's brought us here. We believe in each other's potential and push boundaries together to create meaningful impact, both across the media landscape and in people's lives.

We're proud of our heritage – but even more excited about making history.

Hearst UK operates an in-office policy with flexible Fridays. Our office is based at House of Hearst, 30 Panton Street, St James's, London, SW1Y 4AJ, where teams collaborate in person and connect across brands and functions.

Salary – £50,000–£60,000
Salary is dependent on experience and will be assessed in line with the candidate's skills, knowledge and relevant expertise.

The Role...

As Social & Community Director, you will own the success and growth of Esquire’s social platforms, with a particular focus on Instagram and TikTok. You will set the social strategy and editorial direction, translating Esquire’s wider editorial priorities into distinctive, high-performing, platform-native content that grows, engages and builds a lasting relationship with its audience.

Working closely with editors, contributors and creative talent, you will bring Esquire’s editorial pillars to life across social, developing compelling formats and franchises that give audiences a reason to return. You will also play a key role in growing the commercial value of Esquire’s social channels, strengthening their place within the wider brand ecosystem.

This is a highly visible editorial role. You will be a host and voice for Esquire, fronting social formats and video content and representing the brand with audiences, partners and at key cultural, brand and membership events.

You will also help shape and grow Esquire’s new membership communities, hosting events, contributing to newsletters and working closely with the audience team to engage, nurture and build an active and connected community.

Main Duties...

• Set Esquire’s social strategy across Instagram and TikTok, in line with the brand and wider editorial plans. Define clear audience priorities, content pillars and measures of success, adapting the approach as platforms, behaviours and audience habits evolve.
• Grow Esquire’s following and engagement in ways that build meaningful, lasting audience relationships. Use analytics, social listening and audience feedback to understand what is working, decide what to make next and continually improve performance.
• Develop distinctive social formats and franchises that give audiences a reason to return, including video fronted by Esquire’s editorial team. Host and present interviews, cultural coverage and original content, while helping other Esquire talent develop a natural and engaging voice on camera.
• Work closely with editors, writers, photographers, filmmakers, producers and contributors to commission and deliver distinctive, platform-native work. Set clear creative briefs and maintain high editorial and visual standards.
• Be hands-on in the filming and editing of social video content created by the editorial team, overseeing production and helping to develop regular, recognisable social franchises.
• Work closely with the commercial team to turn Esquire’s social reach, influence and expertise into valuable commercial opportunities. Develop partnership ideas that feel right for the brand and its audience, and contribute to pitches and presentations.
• Make Esquire’s social channels a valuable part of the wider brand ecosystem, strengthening the connections between social, editorial, partnerships, events and membership and increasing the commercial value of the channels.
• Work across editorial, digital and commercial teams to coordinate coverage, maximise major cultural and brand moments and ensure social is embedded within Esquire’s wider plans.
• Conceive, host and support events that bring Esquire’s audience together. Work with editorial and commercial colleagues to shape the right experiences, host or moderate conversations and extend their value through social coverage.
• Represent Esquire at selected partner, industry and audience events, acting as a highly visible ambassador for the brand and protecting the trust audiences place in Esquire by upholding its editorial and brand standards.
• Set direction and priorities for colleagues and contributors working across social. Coach on-camera talent, build a strong and reliable network of contributors and work with the hubbed Social Media Executive to support Facebook targets.
• Oversee social publishing, including captions, accessibility, permissions and rights. Manage time, production resources and delegated budgets against agreed priorities, escalating significant financial, legal, reputational or brand issues early.

What We Are Looking For...

Essential

• Significant proven experience setting and delivering social strategy, with a strong track record of growing audiences, increasing engagement and improving performance.
• Expert knowledge of Instagram, TikTok and Facebook, including how platform behaviour and audience habits evolve, with strong experience using analytics and insight to shape content and community strategy.
• Proven experience creating social content for luxury, lifestyle or media brands, with experience working with luxury brands on commercial activity.
• Strong editorial judgement and a natural instinct for turning culture, fashion, film, music, art and the wider cultural conversation into distinctive, engaging social content.
• Experience developing social-first formats and franchises, with the ability to identify what audiences want and turn ideas into high-performing content.
• The confidence and ability to lead work across multiple teams, set clear creative and editorial standards, influence senior stakeholders and help on-camera contributors develop their confidence and skills.
• Proven experience developing commercial partnership ideas and growing the commercial value of social channels, while protecting editorial independence, audience trust and clear disclosure.
• Experience directing social-first production and working closely with editorial, video and creative teams.
• Confidence and credibility as a presenter, with experience hosting interviews, video formats, live conversations or other audience-facing content.
• Excellent writing, communication and presentation skills, with strong judgement when handling sensitive editorial, audience or reputational issues.

Desirable

• Filming and editing skills, including Adobe Premiere Pro.

Benefits

Your benefits at Hearst UK are more than just extras – they are tools to help you thrive in every part of life.

Hearst Exclusives – Only for You!

• Get adventurous with Good Housekeeping Taste and Beauty Testing Panels – yes, you could be trying the next big thing in beauty, food and drink.
• Snag luxe beauty steals at our legendary office sample sales – score big on top brands without breaking the bank!

Inclusion, Health & Wellbeing – Feel Your Best

• Stay healthy with Specsavers eye care, a company-funded Health Cash Plan and access to mental health support.
• Get active and stress-free with discounted gym memberships and the Cycle to Work scheme.
• Embrace flexibility with Location Flex and Holiday Exchange to take time when you need it.
• Take time to give back with a Charity Day and access wellbeing resources whenever you need them.
• Join one of our Hearst ERG groups.

Financial Wellness – Boost Your Budget

• Plan ahead with a generous Workplace Pension, Income Protection, Life Assurance and Season Ticket Loan for easier commuting.
• Make smarter money moves using Salary Finance tools, Financial Wellbeing sessions and Home Tech benefits to spread costs.
• Treat yourself with major discounts across London plus everyday savings via the HAPI at Hearst app.

Inclusion & Belonging

Hearst UK is deeply committed to using our influential brands to reflect the world we want to live in – one that respects, protects, represents and uplifts the voices and opinions of all people. As a business, we recognise the significant benefits of creativity, collaboration and innovation that come with diverse teams. Not only is diversifying the voices in our organisation the right thing to do, but it also helps us create powerful and exciting content that can be enjoyed by many more people. This is why we're working to build a sense of true belonging within our business and foster a culture in which everyone feels heard.

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