Social Media Lead

Location: Remote, UK-based with monthly in-person time in London and/or Suffolk
Commitment: Freelance, 2–3 days a week
Start: As soon as practical
Rate: Competitive day rate, dependent on experience
Applications close: 11:59pm on Thursday 19 November

‍About Smartphone Free Childhood

Smartphone Free Childhood is a grassroots movement bringing people together to stand up for healthier, happier childhoods. We believe every child deserves time and space to learn, grow, and thrive, free from the addictive pull of smartphones and social media.

Our mission is to bring people together to take a stand for children's wellbeing, and to equip parents, schools and communities with the tools, confidence and support they need to change culture from the ground up.

‍The opportunity

Great storytelling and creative work have the power to change culture. That belief has shaped our approach to social media from the beginning, helping us reach new audiences, spark conversations and bring the challenges of raising kids in the smartphone era into the mainstream.

Today, our content reaches millions of people every month, and we’ve built an Instagram following of more than 350,000. We’ve achieved this with a strong creative and editorial point of view, a distinctive brand and an excellent design team, but without a dedicated social media specialist.

Now we’re looking for someone who knows Instagram inside out, understands how to grow a major channel and has the ideas and experience to help us reach even further.

The role

We’re looking for someone who combines brilliant creative instincts with a strategic understanding of Instagram. Someone who can take SFC’s wider content priorities, spot opportunities in the conversation around kids and tech, and turn them into a constant stream of original, engaging social content.

Your focus will be:

Be our ideas engine. This is the heart of the role. Find the stories, hooks and angles that will resonate with our audience, develop recurring formats and build a constant pipeline of original ideas. We want someone who turns up each week with more good ideas than we can make, then works with our designers to turn the best into beautifully executed posts, carousels and reels.

Grow our reach. Suggest and test ways to get our content in front of more people, from smarter distribution and platform tactics to collaborations with creators and other accounts.

Keep us at the cutting edge. Stay immersed in what’s working on Instagram, bring inspiring creative references and experiment with new formats, techniques and approaches that keep our content fresh.

Support the day-to-day. Help plan and publish content, keep an eye on how posts are performing and respond quickly to emerging stories and opportunities.

Instagram will be your primary focus, but you’ll also help us apply what we learn and develop our approach to Facebook and LinkedIn.

Who we’re looking for

We’re looking for someone with a proven track record of building and growing successful Instagram accounts. You might have led social for a high-profile brand, worked at a leading social agency, helped build a national campaign or grown successful channels on your own. Your background matters less than what you’ve achieved.

You’ll bring:

A serious track record on Instagram. You’ve played a leading role in growing successful channels, with demonstrable results and a clear understanding of what drove them.

Outstanding creative and editorial instincts. You know what makes people stop scrolling, pay attention and share something. You’re full of ideas, can find a compelling angle and know how to turn complex subjects into engaging content.

A deep understanding of Instagram. You’re immersed in the platform, from the mechanics of distribution to emerging formats, audience behaviour and what’s working right now.

An appreciation of brand and craft. You understand that great social content doesn’t just perform well. It builds a distinctive, recognisable brand over time. You care about the quality of the work and have a sharp eye for creative execution.

An entrepreneurial, hands-on approach. You’re proactive, experimental and comfortable taking ownership. You bring ideas rather than waiting for briefs, and know how to turn them into finished work.

And importantly, you care about what we’re trying to achieve. You understand the challenges facing parents raising children in the smartphone age and want to help bring this conversation to a much wider audience.

What success looks like

After six months, we’d hope to see:

• A clearer Instagram content strategy, with successful recurring formats and a thriving pipeline of original ideas.
• Significant, sustained growth in Instagram reach, engagement and followers.
• SFC reaching new audiences and becoming an increasingly prominent voice in the wider cultural conversation.

What we offer

• Flexible, part-time remote working, with regular opportunities to spend time with the team.
• Real creative freedom and the opportunity to shape the social presence of one of the UK’s fastest-growing grassroots movements.
• The chance to work with a talented, ambitious team that cares deeply about creativity and the quality of its work.
• The opportunity to make work that reaches millions of people and helps change the culture around childhood.

How to apply

Applications are only via the link below. We are unable to accept applications by email or WhatsApp. We’d love you to share: 

1. A short introduction. Tell us a little about yourself, why SFC interests you, and your availability and day rate.

2. Instagram accounts you’ve helped grow. Share the accounts you’ve worked on, your role and the results you achieved, including follower growth and reach where possible. Include one example of content you’re particularly proud of.

3. Three ideas for our Instagram. Share three specific ideas for content, formats or approaches that you think could help us reach more people.

We’re much more interested in your experience and ideas than a polished covering letter.

[.style-link] Apply here[.style-link]. Applications close at 11:59pm on Thursday 19 November

SFC is committed to an inclusive process and warmly welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and communities.