We are seeking qualified candidates for the position of Director, Social Media who will be responsible for leading the strategy for the company’s consumer- and B2B-facing social media channels. This role will develop, evolve and execute the innovative approaches to social media for B2C and B2B audiences. This is a highly collaborative role, working with stakeholders in sales, marketing, product and analytics to make Cars a best in class social media marketer.  

In this role you will decide how Cars.com looks, sounds, and engages with its audience across all social media platforms. The director creates data-driven programs that build audience and deepen our connection with followers on multiple platforms, and in a variety of formats including text, photo, and video. You will collaborate with the editorial team on calendars, work with integrated marketing and the custom team to socialize across owned and paid media channels, and apply analytic learnings from previous programs to measure success. You will serve as the primary contact for platform parternships, and determine where and how to use resources to have the greatest impact. Excellent writing, editing, presentation, and communication skills are a must.  

 
The Director will also advocate for and drive innovation in the social media space, acting as Cars.com's subject matter expert, and working across functions to ensure best practices and constant improvement. This includes developing campaigns that will engage and grow our audiences while increasing brand awareness for Cars, and content partnerships that improve advertiser results and impact. This is an opportunity to define a groundbreaking strategy and take a well known brand with significant assets to new heights in the social media space.  

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

• Design and manage the B2B and B2C social media strategy for the company, including publishing content, generating engagement, driving website traffic, acquiring and retaining new visitors, building brand awareness and increasing positive perception about the brand. 
• Build consumer engagement and raise awareness of Cars.com as a destination by amplifying our message across applicable platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, YouTube, LinkedIn, Google+, Tumblr, WeChat etc. 
• Monitor social media trends and analytics to make recommendations to senior leadership on how to develop our social media capabilities, including talent, skills, tools, platforms and how to make optimized marketing mix decisions. 
• Collaborate cross-functionally with marketing team, including digital, SEO, paid media, content, creative, partnerships, events, analytics, ad sales, conventions, membership and PR teams to align strategy. 
• Deliver engaging content with a strong brand voice, engaging with influencers and partners when appropriate. 
• Oversee community management and effectively translate social sentiment/listening into ideas and strategy.
• Develop and maintain social calendar and guidelines for all platforms. 
• Administer analytics and competitor reporting and point out key areas that support social program goals. 
• Represent Cars.com at external events and act as a social media thought leader. 
• Manage the Social Media Manager as a direct report. 

• Bachelor’s Degree 
• Minimum 7 years’ experience in social media, community management and/or digital PR. 
• Strong leadership qualities and minimum 2 years experience in managing a team. 
• Strong relationships with representatives from major social networks: Facebook, Twitter, etc. 
• Must be capable of developing larger strategies and demonstrate tactical expertise. 
• Experience using analytics and research to drive business decisions. 
• Deep knowledge of social direct response strategies, SEO and paid media across social media platforms. 
• Passion for “always on” channels and innovative marketing within the digital space. 
• Familiarity and experience with social listening and tracking tools, such as Sysomos, Radian 6, Visible Technologies, HootSuite, etc. 
• Experience establishing and maintaining relationships with individuals at all levels of an organization. 
• Experience using time-management skills, such as prioritizing/organizing and tracking details and meeting deadlines of multiple projects with varying completion dates.