Social Media Manager
(Freelance - Part-time)
Are you a confident Social Media Manager who knows how to turn everyday Garden Centre moments into engaging stories?
At Stewarts, we’ve been growing for over 275 years. With three garden centres across Dorset and Hampshire, a landscaping division, and our own nursery, we’re a family-run business rooted in quality, community, and a genuine love of horticulture.
Our marketing team plays a key role in bringing the Stewarts story to life, from seasonal retail moments and large-scale events to behind-the-scenes nursery content and B2B landscaping work.
We’re looking for an experienced, creative, freelance Social Media Manager to take ownership of our social media presence and manage social activity across the Stewarts brand.
This is a hands-on role for someone who enjoys being on-site, spotting content opportunities, and turning real moments into engaging stories. You’ll work closely with the marketing team to ensure social media supports campaigns, events, and commercial goals, while staying true to the warm, knowledgeable and approachable Stewarts tone of voice.
Key Responsibilities:
• Bringing the Stewarts brand to life with strong storytelling.
• Manage the organic social media content calendar across Instagram and Facebook in line with the marketing plans. (Potential to expand to TikTok in future).
• Plan, create and post engaging content including reels, stories, carousels and static posts.
• Capture on-site content across garden centres, events and seasonal moments.
• Write, schedule and publish posts using Meta Business Suite or similar tools.
• Create and manage paid social campaigns to a set budget using Meta Ads Manager.
• Monitor performance and report on engagement, reach and audience growth.
• Respond to comments and messages, escalating customer queries when needed.
• Create on-brand visuals using Canva or Adobe tools.
• Work with the marketing team to align social content with wider campaigns and in-store activity.
• Support and guide social content needs for the Landscaping and Nursery teams.
What You'll Need:
• At least 2 years’ experience managing social media for a business or brand.
• Strong content creation skills including capturing quality photography and video.
• Strong copywriting skills and confidence adapting tone for different audiences.
• Ability to create content that visually aligns with the Stewarts branding.
• Experience creating short-form video and filming people comfortably on-site.
• Experience using social media scheduling tools such as ‘Later’.
• Proficiency with content creation tools such as Canva, Lightroom, Adobe or similar.
• Experience using Meta tools and social analytics.
• A proactive, organised approach and strong attention to detail.
• Personable, friendly and confident when chatting with others.
• An interest in gardens, lifestyle, retail or community-led brands.
Nice to Have:
• Experience in retail, hospitality, events or destination marketing.
What It’s Like Working at Stewarts:
• Supportive, close-knit marketing team.
• A family-run business with strong values and heritage.
• Varied, hands-on work across characterful environments.
• Busier seasonal peaks balanced by quieter planning periods.
Benefits:
• Generous staff discount in garden centres and cafés.
• Free on-site parking.
• Opportunities to attend seasonal events and develop creative skills.
Finer Details
Contract Type: Freelance
Location: Hybrid. Content to be created, and meetings attended at Stewarts Christchurch with regular visits across all sites; (Christchurch BH23 4SA, Abbey PO15 5RB, Broomhill, BH21 7DF).
Reports to: Marketing Director.
Hours: 16 hours per week (with occasional weekend/event attendance)
Salary: Competitive, depending on experience.