Life at MAN - Cerys Hughes, Social Media Executive

Whether we're connecting with friends, discovering new trends or planning our next adventure, many of us live a large part of our lives on social media nowadays. But what's it like to dedicate your working life to social media, creating original content for the UK's third-largest airport and looking after customer enquiries that come in through Facebook, X or Instagram? 

Cerys Hughes, a Social Media Executive at Manchester Airport, is part of a three-person, in-house team that does just that. Here, she talks us through how she comes up with new ideas, getting up close to the giants of the skies, and recreating the glitz and glamour of New York in her living room.

How long have you been working at Manchester Airport?

I have been working at Manchester Airport for nine months now.

What does your job involve on a typical day?

My day-to-day routine changes according to the business's requirements and the current events worldwide. My primary tasks include creating content, editing it, managing our social media inbox, analysing the performance of our channels, and generating innovative ideas for various projects.

What skills are needed for the role?

Communication plays a vital role in all aspects of my job. Effective communication is essential. It's involved when expressing your thoughts and ideas to the team, collaborating with brands, and organising filming activities. But what truly sparks excitement and inspiration is the role of creativity. As social media professionals, you are the creative minds behind the content, constantly coming up with new ideas that captivate our audience. Finally, confidence is a crucial skill for this job. As social media professionals, you must be confident enough to direct your gaze behind the camera to ensure your vision is created and to go in front of the camera when needed.

What’s the most exciting thing you’ve created social media content for at Manchester Airport?

I get most excited about creating content on the airfield. It is the most exciting part of the job because we get to go places and see things that not everyone has the opportunity to experience. It feels like a privilege and is also super fun and educational. I was thrilled when I got the chance to film the landing of the A380 up close.

What’s the strangest thing you’ve had to do whilst creating content for Manchester Airport?

The strangest thing I have done in my role was to feature in the Christmas campaign, where the team used my apartment and my dog. We had to pretend that my Manchester City Centre apartment was a New York City apartment. It was strange having an entire film crew in my living room.

What do you enjoy the most about working at the airport?

My Team! I love the team I am a part of at MAG. Work takes up a significant portion of our lives, and being part of a team where everyone is friendly and supportive is fantastic. I never worry that my ideas will be judged, and we genuinely have a great time together.

Would you recommend working at the airport?

I would recommend working at the airport. Speaking to anyone here, I think you realise how much people enjoy the environment. People enjoy coming to work and honestly care about the airport's success. I am also part of the LGBTQ+ community and love how diverse MAG is and how comfortable I felt when joining to express my sexuality to colleagues.

What do you like to do when you’re not at work?

In my free time, I enjoy taking my dogs for walks around Manchester. I live in the city centre and constantly discover new places during my walks. Additionally, I am currently learning Spanish, as my family resides in Spain.

Which destination that we fly to from Manchester do you most want to visit?

I would love to fly to Barbados. I love the ocean and it would be a dream to swim in those crystal blue seas.