Social Media Specialist - CEO and Employer Branding (1 year contract)

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Social Media Specialist - CEO and Employer Branding (1 year contract)

🔹 Company: Rakuten Kobo Inc.

🔹 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

🔹 Job Type: Full-time, Contract

🔹 Category: Marketing & Communications

🔹 Date Posted: May 2, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (Flexible hours, 4 extended long weekends in the summer)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Developing and executing social media strategies for the CEO's thought leadership and employer branding programs
• Collaborating with various internal teams to promote company culture and manage social media content effectively
• Working in a fast-paced, start-up environment with a focus on work-life balance
• Contributing to a dog-friendly office and a casual working atmosphere

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of creativity, strategic thinking, and strong communication skills. The ideal candidate will have experience in social media management, preferably with a focus on executive or employer branding.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Develop and implement the CEO thought leadership social media strategy in the US and Canadian markets, including content creation, scheduling, community management, and performance monitoring

✅ Identify and curate relevant industry news, trends, and proactively map out ongoing conversations online to build out recommendations for the brand’s participation

✅ Coordinate for events sourced/confirmed by the PR team/CEO, attend (when necessary), and capture & develop content for social media from the events

✅ Partner with the Talent Acquisition Team to develop and execute social media campaigns that showcase Kobo's company culture, values, and employee benefits

✅ Serve as primary point of contact for Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), Employee Experience (EE), Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and Talent Acquisition teams, developing and maintaining a social media calendar to promote internal initiatives, company culture, and employer branding efforts

✅ Maintain and update the social media content calendar, ensuring a consistent flow of engaging and relevant content across all assigned platforms

✅ Schedule and publish social media content across various platforms using social media management tools

✅ Track and analyze social media performance metrics, providing regular reports to the social media team on key performance indicators (KPIs)

✅ Stay informed about the latest social media trends, best practices, and platform updates, particularly as they relate to LinkedIn and Threads, and CEO/Executive branding

✅ Serve as a key point of contact for external social media agencies, facilitating communication, providing feedback on creative assets, and ensuring timely delivery of projects

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of organization, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and collaborating with various internal teams.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in marketing, Communications, English, or a related field.

Experience: A minimum of 5 years of experience in social media management, preferably with experience in executive branding or employer branding.

Required Skills:

• Excellent writing, editing, and communication skills
• Strong understanding of social media analytics and reporting
• Experience working with C-level executives (a plus)
• Familiarity with social media management and analytics tools like Sprout Social/Hootsuite

Preferred Skills:

• Strong interest in the bookish community and online reading trends
• Coursework or certifications in social media marketing or related fields
• Located in the Toronto GTA area

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong portfolio showcasing their social media management skills and experience in thought leadership or employer branding programs will be given priority.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry standards for a social media specialist role with 5-10 years of experience in Toronto, the estimated salary range is CAD 75,000 - CAD 95,000 per year.

Benefits:

• Flexible hours and hybrid remote working environment
• 4 extended long weekends in the summer
• Dog-friendly office

Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with flexible hours and a hybrid remote working environment

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: Rakuten Kobo Inc. operates in the computers and electronics manufacturing industry, focusing on eBooks, eReaders, and digital reading services.

Company Size: Rakuten Kobo Inc. has 201-500 employees, providing a mid-sized company environment with opportunities for growth and collaboration.

Founded: Rakuten Kobo Inc. was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario.

Company Description:

• Rakuten Kobo Inc. is the world’s only dedicated digital bookseller, offering more than 6 million eBooks and audiobooks to 30 million+ customers in 190 countries
• Kobo delivers the best digital reading experience through creative innovation, award-winning e-readers, and top-ranking mobile apps
• Rakuten Kobo Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, committed to accessibility accommodations for candidates with disabilities

Company Specialties:

• eBooks
• eReaders
• Global Service
• Reading Apps
• Self-Publishing
• Writing Life
• Open Platform
• Audiobooks

Company Website: https://www.kobo.com

ASSUMPTION: Rakuten Kobo Inc. is a well-established company in the digital reading industry, offering a unique opportunity for social media specialists to contribute to its growth and success.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is at the mid-career level, requiring a minimum of 5 years of experience in social media management.

Reporting Structure: The Social Media Specialist will report directly to the Senior Manager, Social Media.

Work Arrangement: This is a hybrid role, with flexible hours and 4 extended long weekends in the summer.

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential career progression into senior social media roles or management positions within the company
• Opportunities to work on high-profile projects and collaborate with C-level executives
• Chance to gain experience in both thought leadership and employer branding programs

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, allowing them to develop their skills and advance their career within the company.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Rakuten Kobo Inc. offers a casual working start-up environment with a dog-friendly office.

Office Location(s): 150 John St, 5th Floor, Toronto, Ontario M5V 3E3, CA

Geographic Context:

• Toronto is a multicultural city with a vibrant tech industry, offering numerous networking opportunities and cultural experiences
• The Toronto GTA area has a thriving bookish community and online reading trends, providing ample inspiration for social media content
• Toronto is known for its four distinct seasons, with extended long weekends in the summer

Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with flexible hours and a hybrid remote working environment

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement and flexible hours allow for a better work-life balance, enabling employees to maintain a healthy lifestyle while pursuing their career goals.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screening with the hiring manager
• In-person or virtual interview with the social media team
• Final interview with the senior manager, social media

Key Assessment Areas:

• Social media strategy development and execution
• Content creation and curation skills
• Communication and collaboration abilities
• Adaptability and problem-solving skills

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your social media management experience, particularly in thought leadership or employer branding programs
• Prepare examples of your social media content and strategies to showcase during the interview
• Research Rakuten Kobo Inc. and the digital reading industry to demonstrate your enthusiasm and understanding of the role

ATS Keywords: Social Media Specialist, CEO Thought Leadership, Employer Branding, Content Creation, Content Curation, Event Coordination, Performance Tracking, Analytics, Collaboration, Communication, Creative Storytelling, Social Media Strategy, Content Calendar Management, Content Scheduling, Public Speaking, Teamwork, Detail-Oriented

ASSUMPTION: Applicants should focus on demonstrating their social media management skills and experience in thought leadership or employer branding programs to increase their chances of success in the interview process.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Sprout Social/Hootsuite
• LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Threads
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)

ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with social media management and analytics tools like Sprout Social/Hootsuite is essential for this role, as they are used to schedule, publish, and track social media content.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Passion for reading and digital innovation
• Commitment to work-life balance
• Collaboration and teamwork

Work Style:

• Casual and flexible work environment
• Focus on creativity, innovation, and continuous learning
• Strong emphasis on work-life balance and employee well-being

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you have a strong passion for reading and digital innovation?
• Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced, start-up environment with shifting priorities?
• Do you thrive on teamwork and collaboration, and are you open to feedback and continuous improvement?

ASSUMPTION: Candidates who are passionate about reading, comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, and open to feedback and continuous improvement will be a strong fit for Rakuten Kobo Inc.'s company culture.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
• Working with various internal teams and external agencies
• Keeping up with the latest social media trends and platform updates
• Adapting to a hybrid work arrangement and flexible hours

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be highly organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is unique in its focus on both CEO thought leadership and employer branding programs
• Compared to other social media specialist roles, this position offers a higher level of strategic thinking and collaboration with C-level executives
• Career progression opportunities are available within the company, with the potential to advance to senior social media roles or management positions

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should consider the unique aspects of this role and how it aligns with their career goals and interests before applying.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a social media strategy for a high-profile event featuring the CEO
• Creating and curating engaging content for the company's social media platforms, showcasing its unique brand voice and values
• Managing the social media presence of the company's employee resource groups, highlighting their initiatives and achievements

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

• How does this role fit into the overall marketing and communications strategy for Rakuten Kobo Inc.?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
• How does Rakuten Kobo Inc. support the work-life balance of its employees?
• What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within the company?
• How does Rakuten Kobo Inc. measure the success of its social media campaigns, and what KPIs are most important?

ASSUMPTION: These questions demonstrate a proactive and strategic approach to the role, showing the candidate's interest in the company's success and their own professional development.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your social media management experience, particularly in thought leadership or employer branding programs
• Prepare examples of your social media content and strategies to showcase during the interview
• Research Rakuten Kobo Inc. and the digital reading industry to demonstrate your enthusiasm and understanding of the role
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the position

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