📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Social Media Lead - Menswear
🔹 Company: Marks & Spencer
🔹 Location: United Kingdom
🔹 Job Type: Full time
🔹 Category: Retail
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-10
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (3 office days per week)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading the creation and curation of menswear content for M&S social media platforms
- Managing influencer and ambassador partnerships to drive brand engagement
- Overseeing the launch and growth of a dedicated menswear social media channel
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure content aligns with brand objectives
- Providing guidance and support to an Assistant Social Media Manager
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of menswear fashion trends and a proven track record in social media management within the fashion or retail industry.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Develop and execute a menswear-specific social content strategy in line with broader M&S brand objectives
✅ Collaborate with creative teams to produce platform-specific content, editing and writing as needed
✅ Launch and manage a new dedicated menswear social media account, monitoring performance and optimizing content
✅ Identify, brief, and manage relationships with fashion influencers and brand ambassadors who align with M&S menswear positioning
✅ Attend and contribute to creative shoots for social-first menswear content, ensuring production of assets fit for platform and aligned with campaign objectives
✅ Lead planning and execution of menswear-focused events and brand activations across digital and in-person touchpoints
✅ Work cross-functionally with buying, merchandising, creative, PR, digital, and e-commerce teams
✅ Line manage an Assistant Social Media Manager, providing guidance, support, and development opportunities
ASSUMPTION: This role requires exceptional project management and organizational skills, as well as the ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related field
Experience: Proven experience in a similar level role (Lead/Senior Manager) within a fashion, lifestyle, or retail brand—menswear experience essential
Required Skills:
- Strong creative background with experience briefing, producing, and editing social-first content
- Experience launching and growing social media accounts, with a deep understanding of content formats and platform-specific best practices (especially Instagram and TikTok)
- Demonstrated success in influencer marketing and brand collaborations
- Excellent attention to detail and ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment
- Up-to-date with fashion, pop culture, and social media trends, with a passion for storytelling and brand building
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working with a global retail brand
- Fluency in additional languages
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong portfolio showcasing their creative background and social media management skills will be highly competitive for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: £45,000 - £55,000 per annum (based on industry standards for a Senior Social Media Manager role in the UK retail sector)
Benefits:
- 20% colleague discount across all M&S products and many third-party brands
- Competitive holiday entitlement with the potential to buy extra holiday days
- Discretionary bonus schemes awarded based on personal and company performance
- Generous Defined Contribution Pension Scheme and Life Assurance
- Tailored induction and a wide range of training programmes to develop skills
- Amazing perks and discounts via the M&S Choices portal
- Industry-leading parental, adoption, and neonatal policies
- Access to a 24/7 Virtual GP and PAM Assist for wellbeing support
- Charity volunteer day to support a charity or cause
Working Hours: Full-time position with standard office hours, plus additional hours as needed to meet project deadlines
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Marks & Spencer is a leading UK-based retailer, operating in the highly competitive fashion and homeware sectors. With over 150 years of history, M&S has established itself as a trusted brand, prioritizing quality and delivering value to its customers.
Company Size: M&S is a large organization with over 65,000 colleagues serving 32 million customers globally. This size offers opportunities for career growth and exposure to diverse teams and projects.
Founded: 1884, in Leeds, UK
Company Description:
- M&S is dedicated to being the most trusted retailer, prioritizing quality and delivering value to its customers
- The company embraces innovation and is transforming how it works, offering exciting opportunities in the digital era
- M&S stays close to customers and colleagues, fostering a culture of curiosity, connection, and collaboration
Company Specialties:
- Retail
- Fashion
- Homeware
- Food
- Digital innovation
Company Website: www.marksandspencer.com
ASSUMPTION: M&S is committed to building diverse and representative teams, where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and be at their best. The company supports each other and works together to win together.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior Manager
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Head of Social Media and works cross-functionally with various teams, including buying, merchandising, creative, PR, digital, and e-commerce
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (3 office days per week, with the remaining days worked remotely)
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to a Head of Social Media role or other senior leadership positions within the marketing department
- Expanding responsibilities to include additional product categories or regions
- Gaining experience working on high-profile campaigns and events
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant opportunities for professional development and career growth within the M&S organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, collaborative office space with state-of-the-art facilities
Office Location(s): Waterside House, 35 North Wharf Rd, London, London W2 1NW, GB
Geographic Context:
- London is a vibrant, multicultural city with a thriving fashion and retail industry
- The office is located in the Paddington area, with easy access to public transportation and nearby amenities
- The UK is home to a diverse range of fashion trends and influences, providing ample inspiration for menswear content
Work Schedule: Standard office hours with additional hours as needed to meet project deadlines
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement allows for a healthy work-life balance while still fostering collaboration and creativity within the team.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume screening
- Phone or video call interview to discuss the role and assess cultural fit
- In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager and/or other team members
- Final interview or assessment, which may include a presentation or case study
Key Assessment Areas:
- Candidates' understanding of menswear fashion trends and their ability to translate them into engaging social media content
- Creativity and editorial instincts, showcased through a strong portfolio or previous work examples
- Experience launching and growing social media accounts, with a deep understanding of content formats and platform-specific best practices
- Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple projects simultaneously
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Include examples of your previous work, such as social media campaigns or content you've created, to demonstrate your creativity and editorial instincts
- Prepare for interview questions that assess your understanding of menswear fashion trends, your ability to work under pressure, and your cultural fit with the M&S team
ATS Keywords: menswear, social media management, content creation, influencer marketing, brand collaborations, fashion trends, project management, team leadership, editorial skills, campaign management, cross-functional collaboration
ASSUMPTION: M&S uses an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to screen resumes, so including relevant keywords from the job description will increase the visibility of your application.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Social media platforms (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
- Content creation and editing tools (Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, etc.)
- Project management software (Asana, Trello, etc.)
- Analytics and reporting tools (Google Analytics, Sprout Social, Hootsuite, etc.)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with industry-standard social media management, content creation, and project management tools is essential for success in this role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Doing the right thing
- Being bold
- Winning together
- Staying close to customers and colleagues
- Being curious and connected
- Innovating and embracing change
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Fast-paced and dynamic
- Focused on delivering high-quality results
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have a strong passion for menswear fashion trends and a proven track record in social media management?
- Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and managing multiple projects simultaneously?
- Do you share M&S's values and commitment to doing the right thing, being bold, and winning together?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who align with M&S's company values and work style will be most successful in this role.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing the expectations and demands of multiple stakeholders, including buying, merchandising, creative, PR, digital, and e-commerce teams
- Keeping up with the fast-paced nature of social media trends and platforms
- Balancing the need for high-quality content with the need for speed and agility in responding to trends and events
- Working effectively in a hybrid work arrangement, balancing remote work with in-person collaboration
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who are proactive, organized, and effective communicators will be best equipped to overcome these challenges.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique in its focus on menswear-specific content and the launch of a dedicated menswear social media channel
- Compared to other social media management roles, this position requires a deeper understanding of menswear fashion trends and a stronger focus on influencer partnerships
- Career progression in this role may follow a similar path to that of a Senior Social Media Manager or Head of Social Media within the fashion or retail industry
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in similar roles within the fashion or retail industry will be well-positioned to succeed in this position.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a social media content strategy for a major menswear campaign or product launch
- Managing influencer partnerships for a high-profile event or collaboration, such as London Fashion Week or a celebrity endorsement
- Overseeing the production of social-first content for a major brand rebrand or repositioning
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of responsibilities and the level of strategic thinking required for success in this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the social media department and how this role fits into the broader marketing organization?
- How does M&S approach influencer marketing, and what are the key priorities for this role in terms of building and managing influencer partnerships?
- What are the most important qualities and skills you're looking for in a candidate for this role, and how do they align with M&S's company values?
- How does M&S support the professional development and growth of its employees, particularly in the marketing department?
- What are the biggest challenges facing the social media team in the coming months, and how can this role contribute to addressing them?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful, insightful questions demonstrates your interest in the role and your commitment to understanding the company's culture and priorities.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the M&S Careers website
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role, including specific examples of your previous work in social media management, content creation, and influencer marketing
- Prepare for interview questions that assess your understanding of menswear fashion trends, your ability to work under pressure, and your cultural fit with the M&S team
- If selected for an interview, be prepared to present a portfolio or examples of your previous work to demonstrate your creativity and editorial instincts
- After your interview, follow up with a thank-you note and reiterate your interest in the role and your qualifications
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
