Senior Social Media Manager (10 months, fixed-term)

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Senior Social Media Manager (10 months, fixed-term)

🔹 Company: Xero

🔹 Location: San Mateo, California, United States

🔹 Job Type: Fixed Term

🔹 Category: Marketing

🔹 Date Posted: May 22, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site (with remote OK)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Developing and executing a comprehensive social media and content strategy
• Managing the end-to-end content creation process from ideation to production
• Collaborating with internal stakeholders and external creative partners
• Monitoring and engaging with the audience on social media channels
• Analyzing performance metrics to identify areas for improvement

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of social media platforms, content trends, and best practices. The ideal candidate will have experience in producing high-impact social content and developing successful social media campaigns.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Work alongside the Global Social Media Lead to develop and execute a comprehensive social media and content strategy aligned with business objectives.

✅ Own the end-to-end content creation process, from ideation through to production, copywriting, and scheduling.

✅ Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external creative partners to develop compelling social-first content.

✅ Manage and monitor social media channels, engaging with the audience and bringing the brand to life online.

✅ Drive creative innovation by experimenting with new content formats, styles, and storytelling techniques to maximize engagement.

✅ Ensure brand consistency across all social media content while adapting for platform best practices.

✅ Analyze social media and content performance metrics to identify areas for improvement and measure the impact of efforts.

ASSUMPTION: The role requires strong project management skills to balance creative quality with efficiency. The ideal candidate will be data-driven and able to interpret performance data to inform future content strategies.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

Experience: 4+ years of experience in social media marketing, creative, and strategy roles, preferably in a mid-level position.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience producing high-impact social content that drives growth, engagement, and advocacy.
• Strong understanding of social media platforms, content trends, and best practices.
• Experience in creating high-quality, engaging content for social media.
• Proficiency in working with copywriting, creative tools (Canva), video production tools (mobile phone capture, CapCut, Premiere Pro), and social media measurement/analytics.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience producing/editing social-first mobile video.
• Familiarity with Xero or similar accounting software.

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a strong portfolio showcasing their creative and strategic abilities in social media marketing. They should be comfortable working with various creative tools and have a proven track record of driving engagement and growth on social media platforms.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $135,200 - $185,900 a year. This range is based on industry standards for a senior-level social media manager role in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Benefits:

• Paid leave (including statutory holidays) and dedicated paid leave for physical and mental wellbeing.
• Employee Assistance Program for mental health care for employees and their families.
• Employee resource groups, wellbeing programming, and allowances.
• Medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance.
• Fertility and family-forming financial support.
• 401k contribution matching.
• 26 weeks of paid parental leave for primary caregivers.
• Employee Share Plan.
• Beautiful offices with snacks and break areas.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Career development opportunities.

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week). This role may require occasional work outside of regular hours to meet project deadlines.

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on market research and may vary depending on the candidate's skills, experience, and qualifications. The benefits listed are subject to change and may vary depending on the employee's location and employment status.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Xero is a leading global accounting software company that helps small businesses thrive. The company serves over 4.2 million subscribers worldwide and is publicly traded on the Australian Securities Exchange.

Company Size: Xero has 1,001-5,000 employees globally, with offices in multiple countries. This size allows for a diverse and dynamic work environment with ample opportunities for growth and collaboration.

Founded: Xero was founded in 2006 in Wellington, New Zealand, and has since expanded its reach to become a global leader in cloud-based accounting software.

Company Description:

• Xero provides accounting software solutions for small businesses, helping them automate admin tasks, invoice clients, and manage their finances.
• The company offers a user-friendly platform that integrates with over 1,000 third-party apps, allowing businesses to streamline their operations and grow.
• Xero is committed to innovation, sustainability, and supporting small businesses worldwide.

Company Specialties:

• Accounting software
• SaaS
• Banking
• Invoicing
• Design
• Business
• Billing
• Small business
• Bookkeeping
• Software
• Platform
• Payroll

Company Website: http://www.xero.com

ASSUMPTION: Xero's focus on small businesses and commitment to innovation make it an attractive employer for candidates seeking to make a significant impact in the accounting technology industry.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is a senior-level position, requiring a high degree of expertise and experience in social media marketing and content strategy.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Social Media Manager will report directly to the Global Social Media Lead, who is based in Melbourne, Australia. They will work closely with internal stakeholders and external creative partners to develop and execute social media and content strategies.

Work Arrangement: This is a 10-month, fixed-term role with the possibility of extension. The role is based on-site in San Mateo, California, with remote work arrangements considered.

Growth Opportunities:

• Upon successful completion of the 10-month fixed-term contract, there may be opportunities for extension or permanent placement within the company.
• The role offers the chance to work closely with global teams and gain international experience in social media marketing.
• Xero provides ample opportunities for professional development and career growth within the organization.

ASSUMPTION: The fixed-term nature of this role may appeal to candidates seeking short-term or project-based opportunities. However, the potential for extension or permanent placement could also attract candidates looking for long-term career growth.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Xero's San Mateo office is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster creativity and productivity.

Office Location(s): 1615 Platte St, 4th Floor, Denver, Colorado 80202, US

Geographic Context:

• The San Francisco Bay Area is a vibrant and diverse region with a strong tech industry and numerous cultural attractions.
• The area offers a mild Mediterranean climate, with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters.
• The cost of living in the San Francisco Bay Area is high, with housing, in particular, being expensive.

Work Schedule: The role follows a standard full-time work schedule, with occasional flexibility for remote work arrangements.

ASSUMPTION: The San Francisco Bay Area's tech industry and cultural scene may appeal to candidates seeking opportunities in a dynamic and innovative environment. However, the high cost of living may be a consideration for some applicants.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application and resume screening
• Phone or video screening with the hiring manager
• In-depth interview with the global social media lead and other team members
• Portfolio presentation or case study (if applicable)
• Final interview with the hiring manager or a member of the executive team

Key Assessment Areas:

• Creative and strategic thinking in social media marketing
• Portfolio and case study presentation (if applicable)
• Cultural fit and alignment with Xero's values
• Problem-solving and adaptability

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role.
• Include a portfolio or case studies showcasing your social media marketing and content creation work.
• Prepare for behavioral and scenario-based interview questions that assess your problem-solving and strategic thinking skills.

ATS Keywords: Social media marketing, content strategy, creative production, copywriting, video production, data analysis, project management, collaboration, innovation, engagement, brand awareness, audience engagement, content creation, social media trends, storytelling, performance metrics

ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role will focus on assessing the candidate's creative and strategic abilities in social media marketing, as well as their cultural fit with Xero's values and work environment.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Canva (for design and graphics)
• CapCut or Premiere Pro (for video editing)
• Social media analytics tools (e.g., Hootsuite, Sprout Social, or native platform analytics)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, or Monday.com)

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience working with various creative tools and social media analytics platforms. Familiarity with Xero's preferred tools is a plus but not required.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Human
• Challenging
• Beautiful
• Fun

Work Style:

• Collaborative
• Innovative
• Data-driven
• Agile

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you align with Xero's core values, and how have you demonstrated these values in your previous roles?
• How do you stay up-to-date with the latest social media trends and best practices?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt your content strategy based on performance data or feedback?

ASSUMPTION: Xero places a strong emphasis on cultural fit and seeks candidates who align with their core values and work style. The self-assessment questions are designed to help candidates evaluate their fit with the company's culture and work environment.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple projects and deadlines while maintaining creative quality and efficiency
• Adapting content for various social media platforms and audiences
• Keeping up with the fast-paced and ever-changing social media landscape
• Collaborating with global teams and external creative partners
• Analyzing and interpreting performance metrics to inform content strategies

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience overcoming these challenges in previous roles and be able to demonstrate their ability to manage multiple projects, adapt to change, and work effectively with global teams.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role differs from other social media manager positions in its focus on developing and executing a comprehensive social media and content strategy, rather than day-to-day content creation and management.
• As a senior-level role, this position requires a higher degree of expertise and experience in social media marketing and content strategy compared to entry-level or mid-level positions.
• Career progression from this role could include moving into a global social media lead or director position, or transitioning into a related field such as content marketing or brand management.

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should consider the unique aspects of this role and how it aligns with their career goals and long-term aspirations in the field of social media marketing and content strategy.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a social media campaign to launch a new product or feature
• Creating a content series that showcases user success stories and testimonials
• Analyzing and optimizing social media performance metrics to improve engagement and reach

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are designed to give candidates an idea of the types of initiatives they may work on in this role. The ideal candidate will have experience working on similar projects and be able to demonstrate their ability to drive results and impact.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the global social media team's structure and how this role fits into it?
• How does Xero approach collaboration and communication with global teams and external partners?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
• How does Xero support the professional development and growth of its employees?
• What are the most significant challenges facing the social media team, and how can this role help address them?

ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are designed to help candidates better understand the role, the team, and the company's culture. They should also provide insight into the key priorities and challenges facing the social media team.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role, including specific examples of your social media marketing and content creation work.
• Prepare a portfolio or case studies showcasing your social media marketing and content creation work, and be ready to present it during the interview process.
• Research Xero's company culture and values, and be prepared to discuss how your work style and career goals align with the company's mission and values.
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest in the role and inquire about the status of your application.

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.