Senior Social Media Specialist

The Social Media Specialist supports the execution of Hot Topic's social media strategy by planning, coordinating, and executing owned content and campaigns across all social platforms. This role is responsible for managing the social content calendar, coordinating cross-functional partners, and ensuring timely execution of content supporting product launches, licensed collections, brand campaigns, and ongoing business initiatives.

Working closely with Merchandising, Creative Services, Photography, Video Production, Ecommerce, and Influencer Marketing, the Senior Social Media Specialist helps bring campaigns to life from concept through execution while identifying creative opportunities to drive engagement and brand awareness. This role stays on top of social trends, understands the fandom and licensing landscape, and ensures content reflects the Hot Topic brand while supporting business goals.

This role operates on a hybrid schedule and will require to work from our HQ located in the City of Industry, CA three days a week.

• Help develop and execute short- and long-term social media marketing strategies aligned with brand and business objectives.
• Own the planning, development, and execution of social media campaigns and content plans for assigned business areas.
• Manage relationships with internal and external partners to ensure successful campaign execution.
• Own and maintain the social media content calendar for assigned business areas, ensuring content is planned, prioritized, and executed on schedule.
• Develop creative briefs and manage campaign assets from concept through execution.
• Partner with Social Media Photography, Creative Services, Video Production, Merchandising, and other cross-functional teams to lead the development of engaging content across all social media channels.
• Oversee the scheduling and publishing of daily content across owned social platforms.
• Monitor campaign execution and ensure content aligns with brand standards, licensing requirements, and social media best practices.
• Analyze and report on social media performance through weekly, monthly, and quarterly reporting, providing actionable insights and recommendations for optimization.
• Identify opportunities to improve reporting methods and campaign measurement to better evaluate the effectiveness of social media strategies.
• Collaborate with Copywriting and the Social Media team to ensure all messaging and external communications are consistent with the Company's brand voice.
• Manage sweepstakes, giveaways, and promotional activations, including prize fulfillment and identifying opportunities to enhance engagement through future programs.
• Manage the user-generated content (UGC) process, including sourcing content, obtaining creator permissions, approving assets, and scheduling publication.
• Stay current on social media trends, platform updates, influencers, and content creators to identify opportunities that support brand growth.
• Partner with Influencer Marketing to identify and activate creators who align with campaign goals.
• Continuously brainstorm and recommend creative content ideas that increase engagement, grow audiences, and support marketing initiatives.
• Build strong partnerships across Marketing, Merchandising, Ecommerce, and Creative teams to successfully execute integrated campaigns.
• May supervise or provide day-to-day direction to Coordinators or other junior team members.
• Provide coaching, training, and ongoing guidance to support employee development and performance.