Lead Social & Content Specialist

The Opportunity

This is a defining role for an ambitious, strategic creative ready to elevate and amplify NEXT’s employer brand across digital channels. As the Lead Social & Content Specialist, you won’t just be scheduling posts — you will be the guardian and primary voice of the brand across its social ecosystem, championing the @lifeatnext narrative to attract top talent across the entire business.

Reporting to the Recruitment Services Manager, you’ll lead and execute high-impact, company-wide social media strategies that showcase workplace culture and drive talent acquisition across Head Office, Product, Warehouse, Retail and Call Centres, blending creative ideation with paid media performance.

What You’ll Take On

1. Strategic social media leadership and campaign execution

• Develop and deliver short- and long-term content strategies across all social platforms, with a focus on TikTok and Instagram, tailored to attract diverse talent across the business.
• Lead innovative organic and paid social campaigns from ideation to delivery, working with agency partners and matrix teams.
• Oversee and manage paid social budgets and campaigns to drive targeted recruitment and employer brand awareness.

2. Content architecture and visual storytelling

• Lead the creation of high-quality multimedia assets using Adobe Creative tools, turning cultures, roles and career journeys into engaging digital stories.
• Direct the @lifeatnext always-on content calendar with the Social Media Specialists, testing new formats.
• Direct creative executions across in-house teams and agency partners, ensuring employer brand alignment and visual polish.

3. Stakeholder partnership and performance analytics

• Track, evaluate and present platform performance using tools like Sprout Social and Google Analytics, refining KPIs across talent segments.
• Act as an internal consultant to operational leaders, HR, Communications and Director-level leadership on using social media for talent attraction.
• Foster a collaborative, data-driven learning culture within the social media team.

What You’ll Bring

• Extensive experience leading social media strategy, community engagement, content ideation and end-to-end campaign execution in a fast-paced, multi-site or omnichannel environment.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and strong knowledge of scheduling and social listening tools (e.g. Sprout Social, Later). Video editing skills (Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro) are highly advantageous.
• Hands-on experience setting up, running and optimising paid social campaigns.
• Outstanding copywriting and proofreading, flexing between platform-native tone and corporate brand messaging.
• Experience analysing engagement data, performance marketing, emerging trends and SEO/Google Analytics.
• Confident presentation skills and the ability to influence from store and warehouse floors to boardroom level.
• Experience using AI tools to enhance ideation, workflow efficiency and creative production.

Benefits

• 25% off most NEXT, MADE, Lipsy, Gap and Victoria's Secret products (when purchased through NEXT)
• Company performance-based bonus
• Sharesave scheme
• On-site nursery (OFSTED outstanding)
• Staff shop discounts and early VIP sale access
• Subsidised restaurants
• Digital GP and wellbeing services
• Free on-site parking
• Wellhub discounted gym memberships

Location & Salary

Leicester. Permanent, full time.

From £43,000.

Closing date: 27 November 2026.