Social Media Specialist - Permanent, Full-Time

We want you to join our team!

You're a go-getter with a passion for innovation and finding better ways to do things. Roadblocks don't slow you down - they spark your curiosity and drive you to make things better.

You know that people are the heart and soul of an organization, and that when you and your team work together, there is no limit to the great things you can achieve. If you're ready to make the move to a company where you can grow, learn, and thrive, know there's a place for you here at Book Depot Inc. We're a Canada's Best Managed company with an award-winning culture - and we're the largest bargain book wholesaler and online retailer in North America. For 40 years, our hard-working team has been dedicated to getting more books into more hands around the world. With cutting-edge automation, relentless grit, and a strong set of core values guiding us, we're constantly pushing the limits of what's possible - all to fulfill our purpose and deliver the best experience to our customers:

• WE NOT ME - we understand that success is fleeting if we don't put others first
• KICK SOME MOON DUST - we believe that the key to greatness is to be willing to go where no one has ever gone before
• RIDE TOGETHER. WIN TOGETHER - we believe that the whole TEAM is greater than the sum of its individual players and Together Everyone Achieves More
• WE EAT THE STINKY CHEESE - we have a curious mind, and never stop learning
• WAKE UP. BE AWESOME. REPEAT - we believe that working hard is the result of a great attitude and passion for living each day at our best, and
• NO DONKEYS - we know that life is too short to work with, or do business with, those that think and act like donkeys.

Come join our team and help us make the best kind of impact! To learn more about Book Depot Inc., please visit - while we're in the process of updating our website, we invite you to explore our brands and learn more by clicking through to each one.

Our Opportunity

We have an exciting opportunity available for a permanent, full-time Social Media Specialist at our Thorold Main Office and Distribution Centre . We're seeking a talented individual who will be a key contributor to our marketing efforts, responsible for executing organic social media strategies across our portfolio of brands (Book Outlet, Book Depot, American Book Company, and Kidsbooks Publishing). This dedicated position will manage content planning with the brand teams, creation, scheduling, community management, and performance analysis across multiple social platforms, ensuring consistent brand voice while maximizing engagement and driving business results. In this new role, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping our social media presence into a highly focused discipline that delivers measurable impact across all brands.

Who are we looking for:

• A social media enthusiast who lives, eats, and breathes digital culture - someone who spots trends before they trend
• A strategic content creator with an intuitive understanding of what makes audiences click, share, and engage
• A data-savvy storyteller who can translate analytics into compelling content strategies
• A platform chameleon who understands the distinct language and culture of each social network
• A detail-oriented multitasker who can juggle multiple accounts without dropping the ball
• A brand voice virtuoso who can seamlessly switch between different tones and audiences
• A collaborative team player who brings fresh ideas while respecting established brand guidelines
• A digital detective who uses social listening to uncover valuable audience insights
• A self-starter with the initiative to identify opportunities and the skills to execute them
• A creative problem-solver who views challenges as opportunities for innovation

What will you do:

Content Management & Publishing

• Schedule and publish engaging social media for all brands across LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Pinterest
• Maintain and optimize content calendars based on platform-specific best practices and algorithms
• Create diverse content types that align with social media best practices, platform requirements, and emerging trends
• Adapt content strategy based on performance metrics and audience insights
• Ensure more frequent content updates to maintain consistent brand presence

Social Listening & Content Direction

• Implement comprehensive social listening strategies to monitor brand mentions, industry trends, and competitor activities
• Analyze conversations around books, publishing, and education to identify emerging topics and audience interests
• Translate social listening insights into actionable content recommendations for each brand
• Identify opportunities for trending content, timely responses, and conversation leadership
• Use audience feedback and engagement patterns to inform creative direction and content development
• Present social listening findings to brand teams with specific content recommendations

Creative Collaboration

• Partner with brand teams to develop content that aligns with marketing campaigns and business objectives
• Collaborate with graphic designers to create on-brand video and static content optimized for each platform
• Request new or adjusted content as necessary to meet engagement goals
• Archive outdated content across all platforms as directed
• Support creation of photos/videos for marketing initiatives

Community Management

• Monitor and manage messages across all social media inboxes with timely responses
• Proactively engage in relevant industry conversations, even when the brand isn't directly mentioned
• Oversee community interactions (comments, mentions, shares) to foster engagement
• Flag potentially problematic comments and develop response strategies
• Build and nurture online communities around each brand
• Implement best practices for increasing audience interaction and loyalty

Analytics & Reporting

• Track key performance metrics across all platforms and accounts
• Prepare regular reports on social media performance, highlighting growth, engagement, and conversion
• Identify trends and opportunities to optimize social media strategies
• Compare performance across brands and platforms to identify best practices
• Use data-driven insights to continuously improve content effectiveness

Strategic Support

• Provide insights on platform algorithm changes and emerging social media trends
• Recommend optimization strategies based on platform-specific best practices
• Support collaborative team projects related to digital marketing
• Assist with special campaigns and content initiatives as needed
• Contribute to the development of overarching brand go-to-market strategies

People and Culture:

• Model Book Depot Inc.'s values in everything you do - and hold others accountable for upholding them, too
• Foster our purpose-driven culture - to get more books into more hands - by cultivating a values-aligned, family-friendly, high-performing, and innovative environment, and by recognizing team members who consistently bring this culture to life
• Ensure everyone is pulling together in the same direction and that you are prioritizing departmental and individual goals
• Champion, influence, embrace and motivate change, with a strategic mindset for continuous improvement and scalability
• Actively support your team's learning and professional growth by encouraging their participation in Book Depot University (BDU) - and by leading by example as a participant yourself
• Provide mentorship and meaningful feedback to your team

The experience and education we're looking for:

Required

• University/College degree in Communications, Public Relations, or related field
• 2+ years' experience managing multiple social media accounts across various platforms
• Proficiency with social media management tools
• Experience with social listening tools and translating insights into content strategy
• Strong understanding of social media best practices, trends, and platform-specific strategies
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work efficiently across multiple brands while maintaining distinct brand voices
• Experience with social media analytics, reporting, and performance measurement
• Strong attention to detail and exceptional organizational skills
• Ability to work in a collaborative environment while taking direction and working independently
• Proficiency with basic graphic design and video editing tools

Preferred

• Experience with B2B and B2C social media strategies
• Understanding of SEO and content optimization
• Knowledge of social media advertising principles
• Familiarity with publishing, books, or educational content

Working Environment:

• Fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Opportunity to work independently while contributing to team goals
• Professional development and growth opportunities
• Value-driven culture focused on excellence and innovation
• Commitment to continuous learning and improvement

Other considerations:
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