Senior Social Media Manager 

Contract type: Fixed term for five months | 35 hours per week 

Location: London, UK  
UK hybrid working – a minimum of 40 % of working time is spent face-to-face (London office, external meetings or travel). 60/40 hybrid working at WaterAid means roughly three days wherever you work best and two days together in person. 
 

Salary: £52,468 per year with excellent benefits 

*We offer competitive, market-aligned salaries based on the grade and scope of each role. Roles are offered at the advertised starting salary, with any exceptions considered only in exceptional circumstances. 

Change starts with water. Change starts with you. 

Every day, millions of people live without clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid exists to change that – for everyone, everywhere. Join us, and your energy will help unlock people’s potential and create a fairer future. 

About WaterAid 

We’re a global federation driven by one vision: a world where everyone, everywhere has clean water, sanitation and hygiene by 2030. Powered by our values of Respect, Accountability, Courage, Collaboration, Integrity and Innovation, we work alongside communities, partners and supporters to make change happen. 

About the team 

This post sits within the Digital Content and Experience team, which manages our organic and owned online platforms and content, and delivers unique digital experiences designed to increase brand awareness, engagement and income via a variety of channels.  

About the role 

As our Senior Social Media Manager, you will champion the creation and production of highly engaging and strategic social-first content, working closely with the Social Media Manager, Digital Strategic Projects Lead and Creative Content Team to drive sustainable change. 

In this role, you will: 

• Continually optimise social media and creator strategies drawing on data and insights to deliver effective platform and audience lead activity delivering on WaterAid’s broader business and campaign goals. 

• Plan and produce creative and targeted digital communications based on an excellent understanding of our external audiences. 

• Act as strategic advisor, steering and signing off on social-first content for priority projects, ensuring projects are launched on time and within budget. 

• Mentor the Social Media Manager, acting as a sounding board on creative and strategic decisions and offering guidance on complex or high-profile work. 

• Champion WaterAid’s commitment to equity, inclusion and safeguarding. 

Requirements

To be successful, you will need: 

• Experience in digital strategic development and execution of social media channels and content 

• Ability to manage stakeholder relationships, influence effectively at all levels and work collaboratively as part of a matrix structure 

• Extensive editorial skills, including commissioning, creating and publishing innovative digital content, and making sound judgements (regarding video, copy, imagery and user interaction) 

• Ability to understand and translate data and analytics into actionable insights and successful digital strategies 

Although not essential, we’d prefer you to have: 

• A solid understanding of AI SEO techniques, user experience, testing and conversion optimisation 

• Significant experience of working with content management systems 

• Experience of international development issues and/or working in the voluntary sector. 

View the full job description here

Closing date: Applications close 12:00 PM UK time on Friday 7 August. Interviews are expected to take place on 17 and 18 August. 

How to apply: Click Apply to complete the pre-screening questions and upload your CV and cover letter  

Can I use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in my application? 

At WaterAid, we strongly advise against using AI technology at any stage of the recruitment process. Our goal is to ensure a fair and transparent process that provides every applicant with an equal opportunity to succeed. We value hearing about your unique experiences and perspectives in your application, and, if shortlisted, during the interview as well. 

Pre‑employment screening 

To apply for this role, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the respective country. All pre-employment checks will be carried out according to local law and WaterAid’s Safer Recruitment policy. All UK based roles require a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Benefits

• 36 days’ holiday (including 8 Bank Holidays) 
• Option to buy an extra 5 days’ annual leave 
• Employer pension contribution up to 10 % 
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements 
• Season ticket loan 
• Free annual eye tests 
• ‘Give as you Earn’ charitable giving scheme 
• Enhanced parental leave (maternity, adoption/surrogacy, shared parental and paternity) 
• Sabbaticals 
• One paid volunteer day each year 

As part of our annual leave policy, all employees receive three additional days of annual leave on top of their standard allocation of 25 days. These days are designated to cover the period when our UK office closes between Christmas and New Year, allowing all UK WaterAiders to take a well-deserved break. 

These days are automatically scheduled and cannot be changed or moved. Annual leave is accrued based on your start date. If sufficient leave has not been accrued by the time of the closure, the 3 days will be taken as unpaid leave or pro-rated, depending on your circumstances. 

Our People Promise 

We will work with passion and focus to make sure everyone everywhere has clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid is a place of purpose – where people have a real commitment and shared responsibility for the impact we have. We are a global community with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, motivated by inspiring, stimulating work. We are determined to be a place where people feel safe and able to contribute their voice and truly live our values. 

Equal Opportunities 

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, beliefs, customs, traditions, ways of life and status. This includes, but is not limited to, race, ethnicity, caste, colour, gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, disability status, neurodiversity, age, marital and family status, sexual orientation and gender identity, health status, place of residence, economic and social situation. 

Safeguarding 

We are committed to protecting everyone we come into contact with. We have a zero- tolerance approach to abuse of power, privilege or trust across our global work, and to any form of inappropriate behaviour, discrimination, abuse, bullying, harassment, or exploitation. Safeguarding the people and communities we work with, our staff, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf is our top priority, and we take our responsibilities extremely seriously. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks (which can include counterterrorism, safeguarding and criminal records checks). 

Together, we’ll change the world through water.  

Join us and be part of the change!