BCFC looking for social media exec

[WessexPest]

https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/vacancy-bristol-city-social-media-executive/

As I think has been discussed with similar vacancies in the past, the salary isn’t exactly compatible with the “executive” title but a great opportunity for someone in their 20s enthusiastic about City and savvy with all social platforms.

[Meh]

That salary is dog shite for that job description

[Spoons]

£20-22k ouch. Not sure I know many executives on that pay?

[Mr Popodopolous]

A few observations.

1) The term 'executive' if it's like my industry. Well it's just that, a term in many cases. Basically a fancy word for a Social Media worker. It's a bit of an Americanism if anything.

2) Bristol the great prosperous economy...not as great payers as people might think. Wouldn't surprise me if that salary for that role isn't so uncommon down here.

3) Definitely a job for someone fairly fresh out of university or limited experience- the pay may not be great but a good stepping stone job for someone in that sector IMO.

Also note it said 'Plus company benefits'. They might be rather good, who knows. A big charity had BUPA for some of their top staff as part of theirs for example.

[It’sSmiittthhh]

I wouldn’t mind having a crack at something like this, but 20-22K... ouch!

[Phileas Fogg]

Terrible salary especially when you consider the unsociable hours. A bit embarrassing that’s what they’re offering actually.

Social media is clearly very important for the club, and was a big help to us last year, pay someone a fair amount.

[Ron W]

If anything it’s slightly above the going rate. First jobs in media are generally 16-18k so anything above 20k is a solid progression, and I can’t imagine anyone already on the ladder for any substantial time going for this role.

[Phileas Fogg]

34 minutes ago, RonWalker said:

If anything it’s slightly above the going rate. First jobs in media are generally 16-18k so anything above 20k is a solid progression, and I can’t imagine anyone already on the ladder for any substantial time going for this role.

Looks like it’s a bit more than entry level. They’re wanting good knowledge of Adobe and also how to measure analytics. Looks like a second job post to me.

Given how key social media is to the club, I would’ve thought this would be closer to 25k+, especially factoring in the unsociable hours.

[Mr Popodopolous]

4 hours ago, RonWalker said:

If anything it’s slightly above the going rate. First jobs in media are generally 16-18k so anything above 20k is a solid progression, and I can’t imagine anyone already on the ladder for any substantial time going for this role.

Correct.

Also stand by what I say about Bristol not being as high pay a city as is often perceived. So this doesn't come as a great surprise to me.

[kmpowell]

As somebody who has worked in digital/digital marketing for 20 years, I can tell you that ‘executive’ is junior(ish) level, generally somebody who has 1-3yrs experience.

In this industry the levels go; Assistant > Executive > Manager > Head of > Director. With various senior/junior prefixes for each band, depending on the size of the company. 

That salary is dogshit for the work expected. As a comparison I employed a Digital Marketing Executive last year at £34k. Even with the London weighting I pay, it’s still leagues ahead of that. Paying somebody £20k simply creates huge churn in the role, it’s a false economy. That role should be £25-30k depending on experience. That way you get somebody who can do the job expected (which from the JD actually has some manager level responsibilities in it!), plus you stand a good chance of retaining them. 

[Phileas Fogg]

Which of these contributed more to any success last season? The media exec on 22k per annum who came up with the Gif idea or Gary O’Neil who was on 22k per week! 

(before anyone starts, I know it’s a totally different example )

[TBW]

30 minutes ago, kmpowell said:

As somebody who has worked in digital/digital marketing for 20 years, I can tell you that ‘executive’ is junior(ish) level, generally somebody who has 1-3yrs experience.

In this industry the levels go; Assistant > Executive > Manager > Head of > Director. With various senior/junior prefixes for each band, depending on the size of the company. 

That salary is dogshit for the work expected. As a comparison I employed a Digital Marketing Executive last year at £34k. Even with the London weighting I pay, it’s still leagues ahead of that. Paying somebody £20k simply creates huge churn in the role, it’s a false economy. That role should be £25-30k depending on experience. That way you get somebody who can do the job expected (which from the JD actually has some manager level responsibilities in it!), plus you stand a good chance of retaining them. 

Got any other roles going?

[Mr Popodopolous]

48 minutes ago, kmpowell said:

As somebody who has worked in digital/digital marketing for 20 years, I can tell you that ‘executive’ is junior(ish) level, generally somebody who has 1-3yrs experience.

In this industry the levels go; Assistant > Executive > Manager > Head of > Director. With various senior/junior prefixes for each band, depending on the size of the company. 

That salary is dogshit for the work expected. As a comparison I employed a Digital Marketing Executive last year at £34k. Even with the London weighting I pay, it’s still leagues ahead of that. Paying somebody £20k simply creates huge churn in the role, it’s a false economy. That role should be £25-30k depending on experience. That way you get somebody who can do the job expected (which from the JD actually has some manager level responsibilities in it!), plus you stand a good chance of retaining them. 

You would know a lot more than me about this obviously.

However yeah that summation of Executive is about right- also to add Group Director, as you say depending on the size and type of company.

I mean- I don't know whether the salary is that out of kilter- take a look at job sites for "social media exec" in Bristol and I'm fairly sure it's not far off. Looked on Reed and Indeed just for arguments sake and the highest pay- upper band of the 2- is £27k. As in £20-27k.

[Phileas Fogg]

6 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

You would know a lot more than me about this obviously.

However yeah that summation of Executive is about right- also to add Group Director, as you say depending on the size and type of company.

I mean- I don't know whether the salary is that out of kilter- take a look at job sites for "social media exec" in Bristol and I'm fairly sure it's not far off. Looked on Reed and Indeed just for arguments sake and the highest pay- upper band of the 2- is £27k. As in £20-27k.

I think the differences are the tasks that they're being asked to complete in this particular vacancy contains things that require specialist expertise and a couple that are slightly above typical 'executive' level.

Also the unsociable hours, most 'executive' posts would be a typical 9-5 with weekends off. This role would require travel both midweek, and working on Saturdays. This is why I think it sounds particularly low.

[EnderMB]

53 minutes ago, kmpowell said:

As somebody who has worked in digital/digital marketing for 20 years, I can tell you that ‘executive’ is junior(ish) level, generally somebody who has 1-3yrs experience.

In this industry the levels go; Assistant > Executive > Manager > Head of > Director. With various senior/junior prefixes for each band, depending on the size of the company. 

That salary is dogshit for the work expected. As a comparison I employed a Digital Marketing Executive last year at £34k. Even with the London weighting I pay, it’s still leagues ahead of that. Paying somebody £20k simply creates huge churn in the role, it’s a false economy. That role should be £25-30k depending on experience. That way you get somebody who can do the job expected (which from the JD actually has some manager level responsibilities in it!), plus you stand a good chance of retaining them. 

I've worked with plenty of social media managers, and I'm inclined to agree with you. It's a nice job for a graduate to start their career with, but that's a piss-poor amount of money for the responsibility. Even if all the person has to do is schedule a ton of posts, I'd still be pushing for £25k in Bristol, because rent isn't cheap in the city any more.

Sadly, it's also my experience that the demand for these jobs is sky high, regardless of how low the salary is. Hell, the club could probably reduce it by a few thousand and they'd still get at least a dozen candidates. My guess is that the club know this is a work-and-drop deal, so they'll bring someone in and they'll work them to the bone until that person sees sense and moves on for a better role with their new experience.

[Buckeyed]

4 hours ago, Phileas Fogg said:

Looks like it’s a bit more than entry level. They’re wanting good knowledge of Adobe and also how to measure analytics. Looks like a second job post to me.

I'd say any job with social media will need the ability to use photoshop so I would say it likely is entry level for the industry. It will be the lowest rung on the social media team.

Also the boom in social media has seen a rise in the number of people opting to choose this career, therefore there will be a large pool of people to choose from so the club can dictate the wage.

[Phileas Fogg]

3 minutes ago, Buckeyed said:

I'd say any job with social media will need the ability to use photoshop so I would say it likely is entry level for the industry. It will be the lowest rung on the social media team.

Not necessarily, depends on the company. Lots will have separate graphic designer roles and I believe this is the right way to do it.

Some, as it seems we are doing here, will try and get someone who is a bit of a jack of all trades.

[Mr Popodopolous]

26 minutes ago, Phileas Fogg said:

I think the differences are the tasks that they're being asked to complete in this particular vacancy contains things that require specialist expertise and a couple that are slightly above typical 'executive' level.

Also the unsociable hours, most 'executive' posts would be a typical 9-5 with weekends off. This role would require travel both midweek, and working on Saturdays. This is why I think it sounds particularly low.

True, the hours play a part. However a relative advantage seems to be the level of experience required- a quick search on that Reed and Indeed sites suggested that somewhat more experience for a role not much better paid (though the hours surely better). Take this one:

Quote

The experience we need.

 

• Previous experience working as a Social Media Executive or Community Manager, either for a marketing agency, digital agency or in house. Must have experience managing multiple social media channels at one time
• Excellent attention to details, proof reading skills, analytical skills and a passion for social media and community management
• Experience in working with social media platforms such as Hootsuite, with experience in researching, developing and scheduling engaging content across LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter
• A positive, ambitious person who wants to make a real difference and grow with the agency.

That's on Indeed, and is only £20-25k. That's a fair bit of previous experience and expertise required for a max of £25k no?

[Lrrr]

Football always underpays for non playing and coaching staff, they know it's an industry people want to work in so someone will take the work for that level of pay.

[EnderMB]

20 minutes ago, Phileas Fogg said:

Not necessarily, depends on the company. Lots will have separate graphic designer roles and I believe this is the right way to do it.

Some, as it seems we are doing here, will try and get someone who is a bit of a jack of all trades.

My guess is that their Photoshop experience will be mostly "Can you open a PSD file, and can you save for web?". 

[Phileas Fogg]

3 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

True, the hours play a part. However a relative advantage seems to be the level of experience required- a quick search on that Reed and Indeed sites suggested that somewhat more experience for a role not much better paid (though the hours surely better). Take this one:

That's on Indeed, and is only £20-25k. That's a fair bit of previous experience and expertise required for a max of £25k no?

That example you've given is also badly paid and pretty cheeky they want prior experience yet only pay that. I think part of the issue is that lots of digital companies are fairly small, and this means some don't pay well.

We don't have that excuse and when you consider what we're asking for and the unsociable hours, I think it's a pretty poor offer.

The implication that they ideally want a fan to do the job says to me they know it's a bad offer, they're hoping the chance to work for Bristol City means that people will do the job for lower pay.

[bcfcshorey]

Working for a football club in a similar Social Media\Design role is the dream job for me. But as people have said, it's not as well paid as other sectors, with more unsociable hours as well.

[kmpowell]

2 hours ago, TBW said:

Got any other roles going?

Nothing in Social Media, but there's a 'Digital Project Manager' role currently open, reporting to the Head of UK Digital Marketing. It's based here in 'the City' (London).

If you're serious, drop me a PM and I can send you a link to the JD along with details of how to apply.

[Mr Popodopolous]

4 hours ago, Phileas Fogg said:

That example you've given is also badly paid and pretty cheeky they want prior experience yet only pay that. I think part of the issue is that lots of digital companies are fairly small, and this means some don't pay well.

We don't have that excuse and when you consider what we're asking for and the unsociable hours, I think it's a pretty poor offer.

The implication that they ideally want a fan to do the job says to me they know it's a bad offer, they're hoping the chance to work for Bristol City means that people will do the job for lower pay.

I don't think it's all that uncommon personally- companies will tend to pay as little as they can realistically get away with. Digital companies are indeed fairly small which reduces the ability to pay well, agreed.

However the last line I quite agree with- chance to work in and around a football club means can pay lower rate, sounds a viable tactic.

[WessexPest]

When I started my career - now granted this was 20 years ago and oop north - I worked for Teletext and my starting salary was something like £13k. I say “worked for Teletext”, I worked on the platform but it was contracted out at the time. About four years later they took it in-house and I was a lot better compensated. I was young though and wanted to write about sport so I really was pretty happy.

If you’re a youngish City fan and want to make a career writing about what you love then I think there will be a fair few candidates willing to suck up the low pay.

 

[Lanterne Rouge]

5 hours ago, WessexPest said:

When I started my career - now granted this was 20 years ago and oop north - I worked for Teletext and my starting salary was something like £13k. I say “worked for Teletext”, I worked on the platform but it was contracted out at the time. About four years later they took it in-house and I was a lot better compensated. I was young though and wanted to write about sport so I really was pretty happy.

If you’re a youngish City fan and want to make a career writing about what you love then I think there will be a fair few candidates willing to suck up the low pay.

 

Would you not also get things like free entry to games, free travel to away games, stuff like that?

[CyderInACan]

16 hours ago, Phileas Fogg said:

Given how key social media is to the club, I would’ve thought this would be closer to 25k+, especially factoring in the unsociable hours.

So ironically this social media post is an unsociable one then!

[Eddie Hitler]

That salary is laughable.

I was interested a few years back when they put the Financial Controller job up but the salary was £20k too low.

I do find it astounding that a club that will happily pay Gary O'Neill £750k a year won't pay £60k a year for its admin staff so ends up with barrel scrapings.

[Lrrr]

2 minutes ago, Eddie Hitler said:

That salary is laughable.

I was interested a few years back when they put the Financial Controller job up but the salary was £20k too low.

I do find it astounding that a club that will happily pay Gary O'Neill £750k a year won't pay £60k a year for its admin staff so ends up with barrel scrapings.

Seen analysis jobs in London that will only pay £20k a year

[Eddie Hitler]

9 minutes ago, hodge said:

Seen analysis jobs in London that will only pay £20k a year

And what sort of staff do they think they will get for that?

I would have loved to have been responsible for City's finances but there was no way I was going to lose £30k (pay cut and rent costs) a year to do it.; I want City to propser but I'm not sacrificing £30k a year to help them do so.

It seems very amateurish to me to recruit cheap as chips support staff and expect them to provide a world class service.