Senior Social Media Specialist (12-Month Contract)

Reporting to the Digital Marketing Manager, the Senior Social Media Specialist will work closely with the marketing team to execute and evolve O&B’s social media presence across Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and LinkedIn. This highly hands-on role combines mobile-first content creation, day-to-day account and community management, execution of paid social campaigns, and influencer relations across a diverse portfolio of restaurant and hospitality brands. The ideal candidate is a creative, highly organized social media marketer with a strong understanding of platform trends, digital storytelling and brand voice. They are comfortable independently moving from concept to execution and thoughtfully using AI and emerging technologies to work more efficiently, strengthen creative output and improve performance without compromising originality, accuracy or brand integrity. This position is based in our midtown Toronto office and requires regular on-site presence at restaurant venues. This is a full-time, 12-month contract position supporting the marketing team during a parental leave. Primary Duties and Responsibilities Account & Community Management • Take ownership of content calendars, scheduling, publishing and day-to-day account management across an assigned portfolio of restaurant brands. • Actively monitor comments, direct messages, tags and mentions, responding in a timely, thoughtful and brand-appropriate manner. • Monitor brand sentiment and social conversations, escalating guest concerns appropriately and identifying opportunities for engagement. • Coordinate with restaurant teams to gather timely information, identify content opportunities, and ensure social channels accurately reflect current programming and priorities. • Plan and execute paid social campaigns in support of restaurant promotions, events and broader marketing priorities. • Track performance and translate results into clear recommendations that improve content, engagement, reach and audience growth. Content Creation • Plan, capture, edit and publish engaging, mobile-first content, with a particular focus on Instagram Reels, Stories and short-form video. • Develop shot lists and mood boards, and coordinate production schedules in collaboration with the restaurant operations team and marketing team. • Collaborate with O&B’s Lead Photographer and Videographer during photoshoots while independently capturing supplementary social-first content. • Conduct regular content days at O&B restaurants, independently capturing food, beverage, people, atmosphere and behind-the-scenes moments. • Write compelling, brand-appropriate social copy, adapting tone and messaging across O&B’s diverse portfolio of brands. • Use tools such as Canva and CapCut to produce polished, on-brand assets efficiently. • Thoughtfully use AI-powered and emerging tools to support content ideation, copy development, workflow efficiency and performance analysis, while applying strong editorial judgment and maintaining O&B’s distinct brand voices. • Proactively identify timely trends, cultural moments and restaurant stories that can be translated into relevant content. • Maintain organized content libraries and ensure a consistent pipeline of usable assets across assigned brands. Influencer Relations • Identify and cultivate relationships with relevant food, lifestyle, hospitality and local creators. • Lead proactive influencer outreach and manage hosted visits, campaign activations and paid partnerships from invitation through follow-up. • Develop thoughtful briefing materials that clearly communicate campaign objectives, key messages and content expectations. • Monitor influencer coverage and track campaign performance. Cross-functional Support • Collaborate with marketing, creative and operations teams to support campaigns and business priorities. • Attend occasional evening or weekend activations and content shoots as required. • Follow onsite shoot and content-capture best practices, including coordinating with restaurant teams, maintaining an organized set and minimizing disruption to service. • Contribute ideas and social-first thinking to broader marketing campaigns.