Posted:
4/2/2026, 2:36:01 AM
Location(s):
Gauteng, South Africa ⋅ Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Experience Level(s):
Senior
Field(s):
Business & Strategy ⋅ Growth & Marketing
Workplace Type:
Hybrid
VML, part of WPP, is a leading creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce, creating connected brands to drive growth. VML is celebrated for its innovative and human first, award-winning work for blue chip client partners including AstraZeneca, Colgate-Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Microsoft, Nestlé, The Coca-Cola Company, and Wendy's. The agency is recognized by the Forrester Wave™ Reports, as a Leader among Marketing Creative and Content Service Providers, Commerce Services, Global Digital Experience Services, Global Marketing Services and, most recently, Marketing Measurement & Optimization. In addition, VML’s specialist health network, VML Health, is one of the world’s largest and most awarded health agencies. VML’s global network is powered by 26,000 talented people across 55+ markets, with principal offices in Kansas City, New York, Detroit, London, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, and Sydney.
About WPP
WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com.
Role Purpose
The Social Lead is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the brand’s social presence while ensuring execution remains culturally relevant, operationally sound, and performance-driven.
This role requires a strong strategic thinker who can step back to see the bigger picture (“sit on the balcony”) while remaining deeply connected to the realities of day-to-day delivery (“dance on the floor”).
The Social Lead acts as the bridge between:
Ultimately, this role ensures that social media is not just active — but intentional, impactful, and future-ready.
Strategic Leadership
Sit on the balcony
The Social Lead defines direction and ensures the brand is moving with purpose.
Responsibilities:
What success looks like:
2) Executional Oversight
Dance on the floor
The Social Lead stays close enough to delivery to ensure quality, speed, and relevance.
Responsibilities:
What success looks like:
3) Team Leadership & Capability Development
The Social Lead builds capability — not dependency.
Responsibilities:
What success looks like:
4) Client / Stakeholder Leadership
The Social Lead represents the voice of social at a strategic level.
Responsibilities:
We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office an average of four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.
WPP (VML) is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.
VML is a WPP agency (NYSE: WPP). For more information, please visit www.vml.com, and follow along on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
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Website: https://www.wundermanthompson.com/
Headquarter Location: New York, New York, United States
Employee Count: 10001+
Year Founded: 2018
IPO Status: Private
Industries: Advertising ⋅ B2B ⋅ Consulting ⋅ CRM ⋅ Marketing