📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Social Media Manager
🔹 Company: Value Retail
🔹 Location: Bicester, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
🔹 Job Type: Hybrid (3 days on-site)
🔹 Category: Marketing & Communications
🔹 Date Posted: May 27, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (3 days per week)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and executing social media strategies
- Creating engaging and shareable content
- Building and managing social media communities
- Analyzing performance and driving key KPIs
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams
- Staying updated with social media trends and new features
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic and creative mindset, with a strong focus on community engagement and performance analysis.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Execute the social media strategy focused on content, community, and commerce
✅ Oversee the social media calendar for all Bicester Village channels
✅ Ideate and produce creative initiatives that drive key KPIs and leverage the latest social media trends
✅ Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure cohesive rollouts that align with growth objectives
✅ Manage projects across the business and facilitate the best experience for guests
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of initiative, strategic thinking, and strong project management skills.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related field
Experience: At least 5 years of professional experience in building a brand's social media presence
Required Skills:
- Proven track record of developing and executing successful social media campaigns
- Experience in video editing, including mobile apps and Reels/TikTok platforms
- Passion and encyclopaedic knowledge of retail, fashion, brands, and designers
- Fluency in English
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with specific social media platforms (e.g., Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Pinterest, YouTube, Little Red Book, Wechat)
- Fluency in additional languages
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong background in social media management, with a focus on content creation, community engagement, and performance analysis.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: £45,000 - £55,000 per annum (based on industry standards for a role of this level and location)
Benefits:
- Life Assurance
- Income Protection
- Pension
- Leisure Travel Insurance
- Electric Car Scheme
- Discounted Shopping Portal
- Discounts Across Our Villages
- Referral Bonus
- Season Ticket Loans
- Private Medical Cover
- Virtual Doctor Support
- Dental Insurance
- Health Screening
- Cycle-to-Work Scheme
- Eye Care
- Flu Vaccinations
- Access to Professionals for Mental Health
- Support from Trained Mental Health First Aiders
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Free Access to Headspace and Thrive
- Yoga Classes
- Summer Parties
- Outdoor Team Activities
- Time Away from the Office for Special Occasions
Working Hours: Full-time (37.5 hours per week)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a role of this level and location. The benefits listed are based on the information provided in the job description.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Real Estate (Retail)
Company Size: Medium (30 employees)
Founded: 1982 (as Value Retail PLC)
Company Description:
- Value Retail PLC is a leading global luxury shopping destination operator
- Headquartered in London, UK, with villages in Europe, China, and the USA
- The company focuses on creating magical and memorable experiences for guests
Company Specialties:
- Luxury retail
- Shopping destination management
- Brand partnerships
- Guest experience
Company Website: www.valueretail.com
ASSUMPTION: Value Retail PLC is a well-established company in the luxury retail industry, with a strong focus on creating exceptional guest experiences.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level (5-10 years of experience)
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Marketing Director
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (3 days on-site at Bicester Village per week)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential progression to a management role within the marketing department
- Possibility to work on international projects and gain global experience
- Opportunities to develop skills in project management, team leadership, and strategic planning
ASSUMPTION: This role offers growth opportunities within the marketing department and potential exposure to international projects.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid (3 days on-site, 2 days remote)
Office Location(s): Bicester Village, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
Geographic Context:
- Bicester is a market town in Oxfordshire, located approximately 60 miles northwest of London
- The area is known for its retail and tourism industries
- Bicester Village is a popular luxury shopping destination
Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM (with a 30-minute lunch break)
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement allows for flexibility while ensuring regular on-site presence for collaboration and team building.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening
- Face-to-face interview at Bicester Village
- Final interview with the Marketing Director
Key Assessment Areas:
- Social media strategy and planning
- Content creation and community engagement
- Performance analysis and reporting
- Project management and team leadership
- Cultural fit and alignment with company values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences
- Prepare examples of successful social media campaigns you've led or contributed to
- Research Value Retail PLC and Bicester Village to demonstrate your understanding of the brand and its target audience
- Practice common interview questions and prepare thoughtful responses
ATS Keywords: Social Media Strategy, Content Creation, Community Engagement, Project Management, Video Editing, Fashion Knowledge, Retail Experience, Brand Awareness, KPI-driven, Performance Analysis, Team Leadership
ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's strategic thinking, creativity, and cultural fit within the marketing department.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Social media platforms (e.g., Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Pinterest, YouTube, Little Red Book, Wechat)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)
- Video editing software (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, iMovie, CapCut)
- Analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Hootsuite Insights, Sprout Social)
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
ASSUMPTION: The required tools and technologies for this role are standard in the social media and marketing industries.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Authenticity - Always do the right thing
- Innovation - Think outside of the box
- Passion - Do what you love and love what you do!
- Critical Thinking - Challenge the obvious
- Vision - Be mission-driven always
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Proactive and self-motivated
- Adaptable and open to new ideas
- Results-driven and focused on continuous improvement
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with the company's value of authenticity in your daily work?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you demonstrated critical thinking to challenge the obvious?
- How do you stay updated with the latest social media trends and platforms?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be able to demonstrate a strong alignment with Value Retail PLC's company values and a willingness to embrace the company's work style.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple social media platforms and content calendars simultaneously
- Keeping up with the fast-paced nature of social media trends and algorithm changes
- Balancing creative initiatives with data-driven decision-making
- Collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders
- Adapting to the hybrid work arrangement and maintaining productivity
ASSUMPTION: These challenges are common in social media management roles and can be mitigated with strong project management skills, adaptability, and a focus on continuous learning.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role differs from related positions in its focus on luxury retail and the specific requirements for fashion and brand knowledge
- In the retail industry, this role is more specialized than general social media management positions
- Career progression in this role may lead to management or specialist positions within the marketing department
ASSUMPTION: This role is unique in its focus on luxury retail and requires a specific set of skills and experiences not typically found in general social media management positions.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a social media campaign to launch a new designer boutique at Bicester Village
- Creating engaging content for a brand partnership with a luxury fashion house
- Analyzing and reporting on the performance of a seasonal marketing campaign across multiple social media platforms
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of responsibilities and the level of strategic thinking required for this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does this role collaborate with other marketing departments and teams within the company?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the social media team currently, and how can this role help address them?
- How does Value Retail PLC support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of social media campaigns, and how are they tracked and reported?
ASSUMPTION: These interview questions will help candidates better understand the role's expectations, the company's culture, and the team's dynamics.
📌 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 skills and experiences
- Prepare examples of successful social media campaigns you've led or contributed to
- Research Value Retail PLC and Bicester Village to demonstrate your understanding of the brand and its target audience
- Practice common interview questions and prepare thoughtful responses
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and express your interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
