Social Media Manager & Content Creator

Social Media Manager & Content Creator Location: Nashville, TN (In-Office) Department: Marketing Reports to: VP of Marketing Team: Initially a team of one, with plans to hire direct support for community management and social execution within 9-12 months. About the Role GUNNER is built on a mission to give every dog a safer, better life – from our 5-Star Crash Tested G1™ Kennel to our new Homestead Dog Bed. We’re looking for a Social Media Manager & Content Creator to own how GUNNER shows up across social platforms. This role is both strategic and hands-on: you’ll build the social roadmap, capture and edit content, manage daily execution, and integrate our brand story across channels. You’ll partner cross-functionally with brand, creative, influencer, PR, and e-commerce to deliver cohesive storytelling that engages and grows our community. Over time, you’ll help define the structure of the social function and mentor new team members. What You’ll Do Content Strategy & Execution • Develop and implement a best-in-class organic social strategy across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and emerging channels. • Create, edit, and publish engaging content (photo, video, lo-fi/UGC style, carousels, stories, lives) that reflects GUNNER’s brand voice and products. • Build and maintain an always-on social content calendar aligned with campaigns, launches, partnerships, and seasonal moments. • Partner with the Creative Director and cross-functional teams (brand, influencer, PR, e-commerce) to ensure integrated storytelling. • Track platform trends, test new formats, and evolve content approaches to keep GUNNER at the forefront of the conversation. Community & Engagement • Establish and evolve community management best practices, setting the stage for a future team member to own day-to-day engagement. • Actively engage with our audience by responding to comments, DMs, and fostering authentic connections that turn followers into advocates. • Work with the Brand Marketing Strategist on influencer and creator content integration, ensuring seamless amplification on social. Analytics & Growth • Define KPIs (growth, reach, engagement, conversion), monitor channel health, and provide regular reporting with actionable insights. • Partner with paid media lead to ensure alignment between organic and paid strategies for maximum impact. • Manage tools, workflows, and processes to increase efficiency and scalability of social operations. Leadership & Future Growth • Own the social media roadmap while being hands-on in execution. • Build the case for expanding the team by demonstrating ROI and channel growth. • Hire, train, and mentor a Social Media Coordinator/Community Manager within the first year. Who You Are • 5+ years of social media experience, ideally with consumer, lifestyle, or outdoor/e-commerce brands. • A hybrid strategist + creator: you can set the plan and then bring it to life through your own lens. • Proven track record of growing and engaging brand communities on Instagram, TikTok, and beyond. • Skilled in visual storytelling – comfortable behind the camera, editing content, and shaping a distinct aesthetic. • Data-savvy: you know how to translate metrics into insights and action. A natural collaborator with strong project management skills, able to juggle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. • Passion for dogs, the outdoors, and building a community around purpose-driven products. What Success Looks Like • GUNNER’s social channels drive meaningful community engagement, brand awareness, and product demand. • Campaigns, launches, and cultural moments are seamlessly integrated into a cohesive content calendar. • Our storytelling stands out in the dog and outdoor space – consistently real, utility-backed, and customer-led. • Within 9-12 months, you’ve helped hire and mentor a coordinator, creating leverage for continued growth. Apply tot his job