Senior Manager of Social Media

What if the work you did every day could impact the lives of people you know? Or all of humanity?

At Illumina, we are expanding access to genomic technology to realize health equity for billions of people around the world. Our efforts enable life-changing discoveries that are transforming human health through the early detection and diagnosis of diseases and new treatment options for patients.

Working at Illumina means being part of something bigger than yourself. Every person, in every role, has the opportunity to make a difference. Surrounded by extraordinary people, inspiring leaders, and world changing projects, you will do more and become more than you ever thought possible.

Position Summary:

The Senior Social Media Manager is a strategic communications leader responsible for defining and advancing the company’s corporate social media presence across all channels. This role blends high‑level strategy with hands‑on execution and is ideal for a leader who can set direction, build trust with cross‑functional partners, and personally drive work forward when needed.

You will own corporate channel strategy, oversee and contribute to content development, manage day‑to‑day publishing, and partner closely with PR, marketing, design, agency, and editorial board colleagues to support major corporate initiatives. This role plays a critical part in strengthening corporate reputation, elevating brand storytelling, supporting top‑of‑funnel marketing, and engaging key external audiences in an authentic and compelling way. As a leader within PR & Social Media, you will shape editorial priorities, guide performance insights, oversee community engagement, and help raise the overall standard of social media excellence across the organization.

*This is a full-time role, Monday through Friday, with an expectation of 3-4 in-office days per week and additional on-site presence as needed. The individual must reside in the greater San Diego area and be able to commute to our corporate offices.

What You'll Do:

Strategic Leadership

• Own, evolve, and execute the social media strategy for corporate channels (LinkedIn, X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube), ensuring alignment with PR priorities, brand voice, and business objectives.
• Lead the editorial calendar, balancing proactive storytelling, corporate milestones, campaigns, and real‑time opportunities.
• Partner with editorial board, PR, and marketing leadership to ensure narrative consistency, accuracy, and impact.
• Manage two direct reports and a social media agency team. This role includes responsibility for performance management, coaching and development, workload prioritization, and day-to-day oversight. The position is also responsible for hiring, onboarding, and navigating people-related matters in alignment with company policies, values, and evolving workplace expectations.

Content Development & Creative Execution

• Oversee the development of high‑quality, platform‑optimized content, including short‑ and long‑form video, motion graphics, social visuals, and thumbnails.
• Co‑lead new video content initiatives in partnership with the Senior Designer, PR Director, and Social Media Senior Specialist.
• Support video production, including planning, logistics, shoots, studio preparation, editing, and final delivery.
• Set quality standards and provide direction on visuals, copy, storytelling, and overall creative excellence.
• Contribute directly to content creation and publication as needed.

Editorial Board & Operations

• Co‑lead the social media editorial board to align content with strategic priorities and improve reach, relevance, and positioning.
• Maintain consistent systems and processes for content intake, planning, and calendar management.
• Manage agency partners and production.

Internal Enablement

• Build and distribute social media toolkits for internal partners to amplify priority announcements, including approved copy, assets, alt text, and posting guidance.

Performance, Insights & Optimization

• Track and analyze key performance metrics including reach, engagement, watch time, and click‑through rate.
• Translate performance data into actionable insights and recommendations to optimize content and channel strategy.

Governance & Compliance

• Uphold governance standards related to naming conventions, brand usage, asset rights, permissions, and legal review in a highly regulated environment.

Qualifications:

• Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 12 years of experience in social media, digital communications, or related multimedia roles, leading programs across multiple platforms, with 3-6 years of Management experience. 
• Experience in life sciences, biotech, or other highly regulated industries strongly preferred.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills, with experience crafting headlines, narratives, and platform‑specific social copy.
• Strong experience in video strategy and production for a variety of audiences and use cases.
• Demonstrated design sensibility for social‑first formats, with attention to hierarchy, readability, and visual storytelling.
• Excellent organizational and project‑management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain disciplined editorial workflows.
• Proven ability to build trusted relationships with cross‑functional stakeholders.
• Experience managing and coaching team members.
• Highly collaborative, detail‑oriented, and proactive, with a strong problem‑solving mindset.

The estimated base salary range for the Senior Manager of Social Media role based in the United States of America is: $129,400 - $194,000. Should the level or location of the role change during the hiring process, the applicable base pay range may be updated accordingly. Compensation decisions are dependent on several factors including, but not limited to, an individual’s qualifications, location where the role is to be performed, internal equity, and alignment with market data. Additionally, all employees are eligible for one of our variable cash programs (bonus or commission) and eligible roles may receive equity as part of the compensation package. We offer a wide range of benefits as innovative as our work, including access to genomics sequencing, family planning, health/dental/vision, retirement benefits, and paid time off.

We are a company deeply rooted in belonging, promoting an inclusive environment where employees feel valued and empowered to contribute to our mission. Built on a strong foundation, Illumina has always prioritized openness, collaboration, and seeking alternative perspectives to propel innovation in genomics. We are proud to confirm a zero-net gap in pay, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or race. We also have several Employee Resource Groups (ERG) that deliver career development experiences, increase cultural awareness, and offer opportunities to engage in social responsibility. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to providing employment opportunity regardless of sex, race, creed, color, gender, religion, marital status, domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, pregnancy, military or veteran status, citizenship status, and genetic information. Illumina conducts background checks on applicants for whom a conditional offer of employment has been made. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws. Background check results may potentially result in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment. The background check process and any decisions made as a result shall be made in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws. Illumina prohibits the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the application and interview process. If you require accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact [email protected]. To learn more, visit: https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf. The position will be posted until a final candidate is selected or the requisition has a sufficient number of qualified applicants. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.