📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Lead Social Media Strategist
🔹 Company: BuzzFeed, Inc.
🔹 Location: New York City, New York
🔹 Job Type: Full-time, Hybrid
🔹 Category: Commerce
🔹 Date Posted: April 3, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-7 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid, 2x per week in NYC office)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and executing social commerce strategy for multiple platforms
- Collaborating with business teams to create annual roadmaps and KPIs
- Defining BuzzFeed Shopping's social identity and tailoring messaging per platform
- Managing a team of 2 direct reports
- Analyzing social performance data and providing actionable insights
- Maintaining BuzzFeed's collaborative culture and staying updated on viral trends
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong analytical skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment. Experience in ecommerce and social media is crucial.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead the strategy and execution of a comprehensive social commerce strategy for Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, and emerging new platforms, aimed at driving traffic and revenue growth for BuzzFeed’s shopping vertical.
✅ Work with the Commerce business team to create an annual roadmap, with clear set goals, KPIs and testing frameworks to optimize performance throughout the year.
✅ Define BuzzFeed Shopping’s social identity, ensuring consistency across platforms while tailoring messaging and tone to meet platform-specific audience needs and business goals.
✅ Support the affiliate business team on new and existing partnership ideas.
✅ Work closely with the paid social team to identify learnings and align social efforts with paid media initiatives to improve overall performance.
✅ Develop the creative and execution strategy around major tentpoles and sales.
✅ Manage a team of 2 direct reports who are focused on various platforms.
✅ Analyze social performance data trends and provide actionable insights to business stakeholders to help inform strategy decisions going forward.
✅ Help maintain the cheery and collaborative BuzzFeed culture with a positive attitude and obsession with viral and emerging social trends.
✅ Develop strong relationships with platform partners to unlock new opportunities for growth.
✅ Conduct a bi-yearly competitive analysis to identify market trends, competitor strategies, and consumer buying patterns, to remain at the forefront of the ever-adapting social commerce space.
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of strategic planning, creative execution, and data analysis. Strong communication skills are essential to convey insights to cross-functional teams.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: 5-7 years experience running social media strategy for a major publisher or brand, especially in the ecommerce/shopping space. 4+ years of people management experience.
Required Skills:
- Expertise in Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, including platform-specific strategies for creating viral content
- Ability to leverage data to understand consumer behavior trends and general market dynamics
- Self-starter mentality with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and adjust team priorities based on adapting business challenges
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, to seamlessly convey insights to cross-functional teams
- Strong passion for eCommerce and social media trends, with a sharp understanding of consumer behavior in the digital age
Preferred Skills:
- Knowledge of Pinterest or Subtext (or similar SMS platforms)
- Experience with managing paid social campaigns
ASSUMPTION: While a degree is preferred, equivalent experience will be considered. Familiarity with emerging social media platforms is a plus.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $95,000.00 - $100,000.00 USD
Benefits:
- Supportive, inclusive atmosphere with opportunities for personal and professional growth
- Competitive compensation package, including salary
- Well-rounded benefits program featuring paid time off, unlimited sick time, comprehensive medical benefits, a family leave policy, access to mental health platforms, retirement plans, health and wellness discounts, and more
Working Hours: Standard business hours with flexibility for team meetings and project deadlines
ASSUMPTION: Salary range provided is based on the job description. Final compensation may be adjusted based on the candidate's experience, skills, certifications, and geography.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: BuzzFeed, Inc. operates in the Technology, Information, and Internet industry, focusing on publishing, social discovery, video production, news, events, and data science.
Company Size: BuzzFeed, Inc. has 1,001-5,000 employees, providing a mid-sized company environment with ample opportunities for collaboration and growth.
Founded: BuzzFeed, Inc. was founded in 2006 and has since grown to become a leading digital media company.
Company Description:
- BuzzFeed, Inc. is home to the best of the internet, with a mission to spread joy and truth across entertainment, news, food, pop culture, and commerce.
- The company aims to inspire what audiences watch, read, buy, and obsess over next, while making content on the internet more inclusive, empathetic, and creative.
- BuzzFeed, Inc. is committed to providing trusted, quality, brand-safe news and entertainment to hundreds of millions of people and inspiring its audience to live better lives.
Company Specialties:
- Publishing
- Social Discovery
- Video Production
- News
- Events
- Data Science
Company Website: http://www.buzzfeed.com
ASSUMPTION: BuzzFeed, Inc. is a dynamic and innovative company that values creativity, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the senior level, requiring significant experience and expertise in social media strategy and management.
Reporting Structure: The Lead Social Media Strategist reports directly to the Sr. Director of Affiliate Marketing.
Work Arrangement: This is a hybrid role, requiring the candidate to be in the NYC office 2x per week.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to grow within the commerce or affiliate marketing teams as the company expands its offerings
- Opportunities to lead larger projects or teams as the company's social media presence continues to grow
- Chance to develop skills in emerging social media platforms and technologies
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential as BuzzFeed, Inc. continues to expand its commerce vertical and social media presence.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: BuzzFeed, Inc. has a modern, collaborative office space in New York City.
Office Location(s): 111 E. 18th St., New York, NY 10003, US
Geographic Context:
- New York City is a vibrant, multicultural metropolis with a thriving digital media industry
- The office is located in the Flatiron District, offering easy access to public transportation, restaurants, and cultural attractions
- The city's diverse population and cultural scene provide ample inspiration for social media content
Work Schedule: Standard business hours with flexibility for team meetings and project deadlines
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement allows for a balance between collaboration and remote work, catering to different work styles and preferences.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- In-depth interview with the Sr. Director of Affiliate Marketing and other team members
- Case study or project presentation to showcase strategic thinking and execution skills
- Final interview with key stakeholders
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and planning
- Data analysis and interpretation
- Communication and presentation skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with BuzzFeed, Inc.'s values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your experience in social media strategy, ecommerce, and team management
- Prepare a portfolio or case studies showcasing your ability to develop and execute successful social media strategies
- Be ready to discuss your understanding of BuzzFeed, Inc.'s brands and how you would approach driving traffic and revenue growth for the shopping vertical
ATS Keywords: Social media strategy, ecommerce, shopping, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, data analysis, team management, BuzzFeed, commerce editorial social team
ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's strategic thinking, data analysis skills, and cultural fit with BuzzFeed, Inc.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Social media analytics tools (e.g., Hootsuite, Sprout Social, Buffer)
- Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
- Collaboration tools (e.g., Google Workspace, Microsoft 365)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools is preferred but not required. The candidate should have a willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies as needed.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Bring it
- Check your ego at the door
- Take risks
- Be a force for good
- Make stuff you love and are proud of
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Data-driven and analytical
- Adaptable and responsive to change
- Creative and innovative
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you embody BuzzFeed, Inc.'s values in your work?
- How do you stay updated on emerging social media trends and platforms?
- How do you approach balancing data-driven decision-making with creative execution?
ASSUMPTION: BuzzFeed, Inc. values candidates who are passionate about their work, collaborative, and committed to making a positive impact.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Keeping up with the fast-paced and ever-changing social media landscape
- Managing a team and balancing multiple priorities and projects
- Adapting to a hybrid work arrangement and maintaining a strong team culture
- Navigating a mid-sized company with multiple brands and teams
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong communication, time management, and adaptability skills.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other social media strategist roles, this position has a stronger focus on ecommerce and driving revenue growth
- BuzzFeed, Inc.'s mid-sized company structure offers more opportunities for growth and collaboration than larger enterprises
- This role has a clear career path, with opportunities to grow within the commerce or affiliate marketing teams
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should consider their long-term career goals and how this role aligns with their desired path in the social media and ecommerce space.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a social media strategy for a major product launch or event
- Analyzing social media performance data to identify trends and optimize content and engagement
- Managing a team to create and execute a social media campaign that drives significant traffic and revenue growth
ASSUMPTION: These projects demonstrate the candidate's ability to develop and execute successful social media strategies, analyze data, and manage teams.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the overall commerce strategy for BuzzFeed, Inc.?
- What are the key priorities for the first 90 days in this role?
- How does BuzzFeed, Inc. support the growth and development of its employees?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the commerce vertical, and how can this role address them?
- How does BuzzFeed, Inc. approach collaboration and communication across its various brands and teams?
ASSUMPTION: These questions demonstrate the candidate's interest in the role, the company, and its strategic goals.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your experience in social media strategy, ecommerce, and team management
- Prepare a portfolio or case studies showcasing your ability to develop and execute successful social media strategies
- Be ready to discuss your understanding of BuzzFeed, Inc.'s brands and how you would approach driving traffic and revenue growth for the shopping vertical
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
