Social & Community Lead (New York City Metropolitan Area)

Role Description

Hard Candy is looking for a creative, culturally plugged-in team member to lead daily strategy and execution for Social & Community. This is a hands-on, always-on role for someone who spots trends before they peak, knows how to make a brand show up authentically in the feed, and thrives in the fast-moving space between content ideation and hitting post.

The right person lives on TikTok and Instagram, has a sharp instinct for what's about to blow up, and can translate that into content and strategy that feels unmistakably Hard Candy — bold, playful, and unapologetically fun.

What You'll Own

• Build and manage social media content calendars aligned to the overall brand strategy, working hand-in-hand with cross-functional teams
• Keep calendar details current as the business shifts — ensuring cadence is locked and ready for weekly review
• Handle social scheduling and posting across all platforms (in-app or via scheduling tools) with obsessive attention to detail
• Deliver weekly and monthly performance hindsights — reporting on front-end metrics with clear, actionable insights that actually move the needle
• Continuously optimize posting schedules based on performance data, algorithm shifts, and A/B testing opportunities
• Build sharp, inspiring social briefs for internal and external creative partners
• Generate out-of-the-box content ideas, lead content planning, and execute production from concept to publish
• Engage with our community in a way that feels real — not robotic, not corporate, just Hard Candy

What You'll Bring

• Deep, native-level understanding of TikTok, Instagram, and the broader social landscape — you don't just use these platforms, you study them
• Comfort and confidence creating on-camera video content
• Ability to juggle multiple workstreams, shift priorities on the fly, and thrive under accelerated timelines
• Outstanding communication and presentation skills — you can pitch an idea in a meeting and sell it in a caption
• Detail-oriented and organized, even when everything's moving fast
• A creative and strategic brain — you can dream up the concept AND map out how to make it perform
• Deep knowledge of youth culture with a genuine interest in beauty, fashion, and what Gen Z cares about right now
• Strong work ethic, collaborative spirit, and a real willingness to learn and grow
• Highly motivated self-starter who doesn't wait to be told what to do next