Social Media Manager in Chicago, Illinois at Phusion Projects, LLC

PHUSION PROJECTS: Established in 2005, Phusion Projects is a global alcoholic beverage company with presence in over 40 countries, employing 250+ worldwide and housing a portfolio of brands including Four Loko, Four Loko PREGAME, Remix, Overtime, Earthquake, and more!

CULTURE: Innovation and disruption are in the DNA at Phusion. We understand drinkers as category agnostic and we pursue flavor, brand, and functional benefits above all else. We're always looking to push boundaries within our current product portfolio and partnerships, and that mindset flows through in our company culture.

SUMMARY: The Social Media Manager / Content Developer is the day-to-day engine of Phusion's social presence. They are responsible for identifying emerging trends, defining the brand's creative angle, and producing, publishing, and optimizing platform-native content that builds culture. A hands-on production role spanning content creation (shoot, edit, design) and channel management (calendar, publishing, performance), they work in close partnership with the Brand Manager of Digital Strategy to convert prioritized trends and brand direction into high-performing content. They produce in-house or wherever possible, and source through vetted creators or partners.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Content Development

• Partner with the Brand Manager, Digital Strategy to monitor social trends and cultural moments daily and surface opportunities into the briefing workflow. Understand brand audience cohorts, what drives, them, and how to best engage through content.
• For prioritized trends, define the executional creative angle.
• Determine the production route - in-house, or sourced through the appropriate creator, freelancer, or partner — and manage production through to delivery.
• Produce platform-native content — short-form video, photography, and graphics — optimized for TikTok, Instagram, Email & SMS, and emerging platforms for both organic and paid channels.
• Be comfortable shooting and editing content in-house (on-set and self-shot), from concept to final cut, on rapid timelines.
• Maintain a consistent content pipeline that keeps the brands always-on and culturally relevant.
• Manage and organize content library across owned, earned, paid, creator, and UGC.
• Maintain day to day relationships with freelance, contract, and agency content development vendors
• Support development of other digital assets needed to support brand and trade marketing teams, develop planning and recapping presentations, and more.

Channel Management & Publishing

• Execute the social content calendar — scheduling, publishing, and copy across all channels.
• Apply platform best practices and act on prioritized trends and cultural moments in real time – elevating as needed to Digital brand manager.
• Coordinate with the Community Manager so that content and community engagement operate as one.
• Support in execution of paid social executions across Meta & TikTok.

Campaign & Cross-Functional Support

• Translate campaign and brand direction into channel-specific content and assets – developing content plans across multiple channels.
• Partner with creative, brand, and trade marketing team to maintain brand standards, and coordinate with creators and the social agency on larger productions.
• Capture and produce content at festivals, events, and activations alongside the field team as needed.

Performance & Optimization

• Track content and channel performance, report results, and recommend strategy adjustments.
• Maintain a continuous test-and-learn program across formats, hooks, and posting strategy.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by management.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: This job has no supervisory responsibilities. The Community Manager is a peer role, reporting to the Brand Manager, Digital Strategy. This role coordinates closely with the Community Manager on day-to-day content and engagement.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 3+ years of social media content creation experience, ideally within CPG, beverage alcohol, or a related consumer category, with proven success producing and publishing platform-native content.
• Bachelor's Degree (BA) from four-year college or university, or equivalent combination of education and experience, preferred.
• Hands-on proficiency with content creation and editing tools (e.g., Adobe Premiere/Photoshop/Lightroom, CapCut) and social publishing/scheduling platforms.
• Ability to travel occasionally to support content capture at events, festivals, and activations.
• Other skills required:
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong attention to detail
• A knack for data analysis and organization
• Deep understanding of social trends and platform-native content conventions
• Ability to distinguish our brand voices and the types of content that correlate to each
• Be outspoken and disruptive, in following Phusion Projects' DNA
• Creativity and a sense of humor are a MUST
• Be a self-starter, adaptable to a quick and fast-paced environment
• Strong multitasking capabilities to prioritize work and meet deadlines
• Comfortable shooting and editing content independently on tight timelines

COMPENSATION:

The base pay range for this role is $70,000 - $80,000 per year.

The range listed is dependent on job-related, non-discriminatory factors such as experience, education, and skills. This position is also eligible for bonus awards and a cell phone allowance.

You may be eligible for the following competitive benefits: medical, dental, vision, life, accident & disability, parental leave, employee assistance program, commuter & transit, paid holidays, paid time off, and 401(k).

COMPETENCIES:

• Diversity - Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; Educates others on the value of diversity; Promotes a harassment-free environment; Builds a diverse workforce.
• Ethics - Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
• Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
• Initiative - Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.
• Motivation - Sets and achieves challenging goals; Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; Measures self against standard of excellence; Takes calculated risks to accomplish goals.
• Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
• Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.
• Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Frequently required to sit
• Frequently required to hold computer or tablet
• Continually required to utilize hand and finger dexterity
• Continually required to talk or hear
• Occasionally required to stand and walk
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Phusion Projects is an equal opportunity employer. Phusion recruits, employs, trains, compensates and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical ability, age, veteran status and other protected status, as required by applicable law.