Leadership and fractional roles
Hire a Social Media Director | Head of Social Media
A social media director sets the direction for every social channel and the standards the team works to. I decide the audience, formats and posting rhythm, review the calendar, direct the people making the content and report what social contributes to the business, not only likes.
Pricing is scoped to each project. Book a call and I will tell you what yours involves.
- 10 yearsin digital growth
- 4 marketsUK, Australia, USA and Bangladesh
- 30-60-90day plan with a written checkpoint
- 1 callto scope your project
The role
What a social media director is and does
A social media director is a social media director who sets the strategy, calendar and team standards. In my own work I write the social strategy: audiences, pillars, formats and channels and approve the content calendar and set quality standards for creators. I work at senior level: I own the plan, the budget and the result, and I direct the people and tools doing the day-to-day work.
Before
Social accounts are active but have no clear audience, no standards and no link to commercial goals.
With me as your social media director
- Write the social strategy: audiences, pillars, formats and channels
- Approve the content calendar and set quality standards for creators
- Connect paid social and organic so they support each other
- Report reach, engagement and business outcomes each month
Fit
When to hire a social media director instead of an agency or a full-time hire
Hire a social media director when social accounts are active but have no clear audience, no standards and no link to commercial goals. A social media manager runs the accounts day to day; a director sets the strategy, the standards and the link to paid and business goals.
Engagement
Engagement models: fractional, retainer or project
I work as a social media director in three ways: a fixed project, a monthly retainer, or a fractional arrangement of set days each week. The number of platforms and brands managed usually decides which of the three fits.
- Fractional
I work a set number of days or hours each week as part of your team.
- Retainer
A fixed monthly scope with a review at the end of each month.
- Project
A defined deliverable with a start, an end and agreed checkpoints.
Pricing
How pricing works
The cost of hiring a social media director depends on the number of platforms and brands managed, how much of the content team I would lead, the number of channels or platforms involved, the size of the team I work with, how long we work together and how quickly you need results. I scope every engagement to your situation and do not publish rates, so you pay only for the work your business needs.
What changes the scope
The number of platforms and brands managedHow much of the content team I would leadThe number of channels or platformsTeam size and who needs to be managedLength of the engagementHow fast you need results
- Project
A defined piece of social media director work with a start, an end and agreed deliverables.
- Monthly retainer
Ongoing social media director work with a fixed monthly scope, reviewed every month.
- Fractional or part-time
A set number of days or hours each week, with me working inside your team.
Freelancer vs agency vs in-house for social media director work
| Option | Speed | Control | Accountability | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freelancer (me) | Starts within days of agreeing scope | Direct access to the person doing the work | One named person answers for results | Scale up or down by month |
| Agency | Slower to start; account and delivery teams | Work passes through several people | Shared across a team and account manager | Fixed packages and notice periods |
| In-house hire | Slowest: recruiting and onboarding first | Full day-to-day control | Direct line manager, but one person covers many tasks | Long-term commitment, harder to change |
First 90 days
First 90 days: roadmap and deliverables
The first ninety days follow a fixed shape so you can see progress early. Each phase ends with a written checkpoint that we review together before the next one begins.
- Days 1-30
Audit every account and its audience, and agree the strategy and pillars.
- Days 31-60
Approve the first month calendar and brief the content team.
- Days 61-90
Review what performed, cut weak formats and report to leadership.
How I work
How I work: reporting, KPIs and management
I work at senior level: I own the plan, the budget and the result, and I direct the people and tools doing the day-to-day work. Every month I report on reach and engagement by content pillar, social-sourced traffic and leads and follower growth in the right audience, with the goal beside the actual and a clear next decision.
- Reported every monthReach and engagement by content pillar
- Reported every monthSocial-sourced traffic and leads
- Reported every monthFollower growth in the right audience
Proof
Case studies with numbers
These are real projects from my own records, with the first number shown exactly as it is reported in the full case study.
Choosing well
How to evaluate a social media director
Use direct questions to judge a candidate. Strong ones answer plainly, give an example, and are comfortable saying what they would not do.
- 01
Ask for a strategy document they wrote and the results it produced.
- 02
Ask how they judge a post beyond likes.
Before the call
What to prepare before the call
Bring these to the call so we can scope the work in one conversation.
What to prepare before the call
- Links to all your social profiles
- Your best and worst posts of the last quarter
- Who creates and approves content today
- What social is expected to deliver commercially
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers on scope, timing and fit. Pricing is always scoped to your project.
What does a social media director do?
As your social media director, I write the social strategy: audiences, pillars, formats and channels, approve the content calendar and set quality standards for creators, connect paid social and organic so they support each other and report reach, engagement and business outcomes each month. I own the plan and the result, and direct the people doing the work.
How much does it cost to hire a social media director?
Cost depends on the number of platforms and brands managed, how much of the content team I would lead, the number of channels or platforms, team size, engagement length and how quickly you need results. I scope each project individually instead of quoting a standard rate. Book a Call for a scoped quote and I will tell you exactly what your situation involves.
Freelance social media director vs agency: which is better?
A social media manager runs the accounts day to day; a director sets the strategy, the standards and the link to paid and business goals. A freelancer gives you direct access and flexible commitment; an agency adds a larger bench. Tell me what you need on a call and I will say honestly which suits you.
When should I hire a social media director?
Hire a social media director when social accounts are active but have no clear audience, no standards and no link to commercial goals. If that sounds familiar, a short call is enough to confirm whether the role fits or whether something simpler would do.
What should I ask before hiring a social media director?
Ask for a strategy document they wrote and the results it produced. Ask how they judge a post beyond likes. Their answers matter less than whether they answer plainly, with specifics you can check. Book a Call and I will answer this for your specific situation.
How long until I see results from a social media director?
Timing depends on your starting point and the channel. In the first 30 days I audit every account and its audience, and agree the strategy and pillars. By day 60 I approve the first month calendar and brief the content team. By day 90 I review what performed, cut weak formats and report to leadership. We agree these checkpoints before work starts.
Fractional vs full-time: what is the difference?
A full-time hire gives daily presence and one employer's full attention. A fractional arrangement gives you senior experience for a set number of days each week, without a permanent salary or hiring risk. The right choice depends on how much leadership the business can use today and how fast it is growing.
How many hours per week does it take?
Hours depend on the number of platforms and brands managed and how much of the content team I would lead. Many engagements start with a few set days or hours a week for planning and review, then adjust once the workload is clear. I agree the weekly time with you at the start and review it every month.
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