Russell Tobin is hiring: Social Media Director (Los Angeles) in Los Angeles

Creative Director, Social Media

Location: Los Angeles, CA (Hybrid Schedule: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday in office)

Salary: $120,000 -165,000

Department: Creative Team

Reports To: SVP, Creative

Role Overview

Our client, a prominent leader in the media and entertainment industry , is seeking a visionary Creative Director, Social Media to define and lead the creative strategy and execution of their brand presence across all social platforms.

This role requires a passionate leader who thrives at the intersection of storytelling, pop culture, and digital innovation . You will be responsible for overseeing a small internal team and external creative agencies, spearheading the development of thumb-stopping, platform-native content that captivates audiences, drives engagement, and elevates the brand's aesthetic across key priorities. The ideal candidate must be a hands-on creator who can ideate, shoot, and edit content quickly.

Key Responsibilities

Creative Leadership & Direction

• Vision & Strategy: Lead the creative development and personally contribute to innovative social media campaigns that align with brand goals.
• Team & Agency Management: Oversee a small internal team and serve as the primary liaison with external creative agencies, providing clear direction and mentorship to ensure high-quality, on-brand output.
• Content Production: Direct and contribute to the creation of original content, including video, motion graphics, memes, and interactive formats tailored for platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, X, and Reddit.

Innovation & Performance

• Trendspotting: Stay ahead of emerging trends, platform updates, and audience behaviors to inform ideation and creative execution.
• Agile Content Creation: Develop and execute content quickly, including shooting, editing, and posting directly from mobile devices when necessary (create on the fly).
• Performance Optimization: Integrate performance data to evaluate campaign success and iterate on creative strategies for continuous improvement in engagement and reach.

Collaboration & Production

• On-Set Presence: Attend film shoots, red carpets, premieres, fan events, and other key events to capture compelling behind-the-scenes and live social coverage (estimated 40% travel).
• Stakeholder Communication: Effectively present and communicate creative ideas, and diplomatically manage and implement feedback from stakeholders and leadership.
• Project Management: Oversee timelines, deliverables, and communication across internal teams and external partners, demonstrating strong project management skills and production efficiency.

Qualifications

Experience & Expertise

• 8+ years of experience in creative direction, content creation, and leading/inspiring Social teams, with a strong focus on digital content.
• Proven success creating high-performing social content within the entertainment/media industry.
• Deep understanding of platform-specific best practices, audience behaviors, and the technical requirements for content on key platforms (e.g., TikTok, Instagram, X).
• Proficiency in using Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Premiere Pro, Photoshop) along with industry knowledge of mobile content capture and native social media editing tools.
• Must provide a strong portfolio/case study showcasing innovative, high-performing social content.

Leadership & Soft Skills

• Exceptional leadership, communication, and diplomatic skills for managing teams, talent, and stakeholders in fast-paced, unpredictable environments.
• Proven track record of success in developing, mentoring, and managing creative teams.
• Ability to grasp the client's brand aesthetic and creative execution style quickly and effectively.
• Comfortable working both independently and in a collaborative, cross-functional team environment, balancing multiple projects and meeting tight deadlines with a can-do attitude.

Preferred Characteristics

• Familiarity with paid media, performance marketing, and paid social metrics.
• Experience or background in motion design or AR filters.
• Understanding of community management and fan engagement strategies.
• Deep competitive knowledge of how entertainment brands drive viral buzz and engagement.
• Comfortable working with and directing on-screen talent.