The Athletic is looking for a creative, platform-native Social Producer to own and expand the digital footprint of Talk of the Devils, our flagship, chart-topping Manchester United video podcast. You aren't just scheduling posts; you are a social-first visual storyteller, video editor, and community strategist who knows how to capture the attention of millions of United fans worldwide .
Reporting to the Executive Producer and embedded directly with the show's talent and production crew in Manchester, you will turn every recording session into a 24-hour multi-platform content engine. You are equally comfortable filming high-energy vertical video bits in the studio, cutting thumb-stopping match-reaction clips under breaking news pressure, or driving the live conversation and moderating the chat during our streams. If you live on social media, have sharp video editing instincts, and breathe Manchester United culture, this is your dream job.
Responsibilities
- Multi-Platform Content Factory: Clip, format, and edit the most compelling, high-impact moments from the main video podcast into platform-optimized vertical shorts for YouTube Shorts, TikTok, Instagram Reels, and X.
- Bespoke Social Creation: Ideate, script, and film original, social-first native content with show talent and correspondents (e.g., rapid-fire match reactions, tactical board explainers, trivia, or transfer window hot takes).
- Live Stream Community Management: Run "front of house" during live broadcast windows. Own and moderate the fast-moving live YouTube chat, cultivating an engaging, positive fan community while filtering toxic behavior. Real-time highlight audience questions and sentiments for the show's producers and talent to address on air.
- Channel & Calendar Management: Oversee the day-to-day operations and growth strategy of the show’s dedicated social handles. Maintain an active, well-organized content calendar aligned with the Premier League fixture list, training cycles, and transfer deadlines .
- Audience Strategy & Data Optimization: Use platform analytics (YouTube Studio, Meta, TikTok) to track engagement KPIs, determine optimal posting windows, refine visual packaging (thumbnails, font style, pacing), and constantly experiment with trending formats.
- Brand Voice Stewardship: Ensure all social copy, captions, graphics, and video elements carry a cohesive, authoritative, and witty tone that reflects both Manchester United fan culture and The Athletic's elite journalism standards .
Requirements
- 3-5 Years in Social Content Production: A proven track record of creating high-engagement video and graphic content for a premium sports media brand, publisher, or football club channel.
- Technical "Preditor" Skills: Advanced proficiency in video editing software (Adobe Premiere Pro) and mobile-first production tools (CapCut). Competency filming high-quality mobile video or operating basic studio camera/audio gear is required .
- Deep Manchester United Fluency: Exhaustive knowledge of United's current squad, academy prospects, club history, and matchday narratives. You know what the fanbase is arguing about at any given moment and why a 15-second soundbite is bound to go viral.
- Control Room & Live Stamina: The ability to multitask under pressure, such as editing a social clip while simultaneously monitoring a live stream chat and monitoring breaking news .
- Graphic Savvy: Basic design skills (Canva or Photoshop) to craft compelling quote templates, score cards, and thumb-stopping visual overlays.
- Location: This is a full-time, in-person position based at our studio production hub in Manchester, UK. Must be flexible to work around the matchday calendar, including evenings and weekends.
Skills Required
- 3-5 years creating high-engagement video and graphic content for a sports media brand, publisher, or football club channel
- Advanced proficiency in Adobe Premiere Pro
- Advanced proficiency in mobile-first production tools (CapCut)
- Competency filming high-quality mobile video and operating basic studio camera/audio gear
- Experience using platform analytics (YouTube Studio, Meta, TikTok) to track KPIs and optimize content
- Deep knowledge of Manchester United (squad, academy, history, narratives)
- Ability to multitask under pressure (edit clips while moderating live chat and monitoring breaking news)
- Basic design skills using Canva or Photoshop
- Willingness to work full-time in-person at Manchester studio, flexible around matchday calendar including evenings and weekends
What We Do
Here for every sports story that matters. -- The Athletic (http://theathletic.com) is a subscription-based media publisher of smarter sports coverage for die-hard fans. Founded in 2016, The Athletic’s all-star team of writers have produced thousands of quality stories for subscribers free of ads, pop-ups and auto-play videos. The Athletic now offers in-depth local coverage in 47 North American pro sports markets along with premium national coverage across MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAA & more. Readers can count on original, authentic storytelling written by talented local and national sports journalists like Ken Rosenthal, Pierre LeBrun, Seth Davis, Stewart Mandel, Shams Charania and many more. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, CA.
