Community Manager Job Description and Requirements

Community managers’ responsibilities run the gamut from overseeing residential neighborhood associations to monitoring corporate social media accounts to moderating public discussions at community outreach events. These tasks each have a different audience, goal, and strategy because community managers’ responsibilities can vary based on the needs of their organization.

The primary responsibility in any community manager’s job description is to build and foster positive relationships with a specific group or organization. They’re the bridge builders between internal and external audiences, communicating directly with community members to create a loyal and engaged relationship. 

The path to becoming a community manager usually begins with earning a bachelor’s degree, but enrolling in a master’s degree program that specializes in areas such as community development, social justice, and diversity can help prospective community managers achieve their career goals. Being prepared to engage with diverse audiences helps managers understand how to proactively address a community’s concerns, which helps community members feel valued and respected. 
 

Community Manager Job Description

Community managers are typically tasked with building a sense of community among a specific social group and maintaining engagement with members of the group through community-based efforts. In the public sector, this may include developing a social services program for older citizens at a local community center or establishing a program that helps veterans transition to civilian life. 

In the commercial realm, community managers may be responsible for creating programs that encourage relationship-building among residents of a new neighborhood development or taking charge of a corporation’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives to foster community among employees.

In today’s digital age, community managers may be responsible for moderating online community discussion forums or overseeing social media campaigns that seek to unite a community of customers or residents.

Due to the range of types of communities that managers oversee, it’s common for professionals in this role to have specialized titles. Examples include community services manager, community success manager, community marketing manager, community engagement manager, and community operations manager. 

Common work environments for these managers include nonprofit organizations, small to large businesses, government offices, and social services agencies. 
 

Job Responsibilities: What a Community Manager Does

The needs of the communities they serve often shape the responsibilities of community managers. Regardless of their place of employment, community managers need to be comfortable with DEI practices. These efforts help create a sense of belonging among community members, promote fairness, and encourage discussions between individuals with different perspectives.

Common community manager responsibilities include the following:

• Creating and managing outreach events
• Addressing community inquiries in a timely manner
• Evaluating the needs of community members and developing programs to meet those needs
• Developing and enforcing DEI policies in online and physical communities
• Monitoring social media metrics to determine engagement
• Collaborating with DEI experts to organize events
• Writing grant proposals
• Leading and implementing strategic plans
• Providing a safe environment to openly discuss community issues
   

Requirements to Become a Community Manager

The minimum educational requirement to become a community manager is typically a bachelor’s degree. A master’s degree is suitable for individuals interested in executive, senior managerial, or director positions. Graduate programs can help students develop their leadership skills and can train them to plan, manage, and implement diversity initiatives.

Employers may also seek candidates with related work experience, such as in social work or counseling.

Community Manager Skill Requirements

In addition to the educational requirements, community managers need a distinct set of skills.

• Communication. Strong verbal and written communication skills are needed to support public speaking and community outreach programs and events. 
  Time management. Community managers need to be able to balance the time they spend on their internal and external duties.
• Problem-solving. Whether they are connecting with community leaders, planning programs, or making administrative decisions, community managers need excellent problem-solving skills.
• Analytical. Managers need analytical skills to decipher and report on data as part of their organization’s strategic efforts. These skills can also help them understand conflicting points of view.
• Event planning. Managers should be able to effectively organize and host events, as well as coordinate an event’s technical logistics. 
   

Community Manager Salary and Job Outlook

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports there are 178,400 social and community managers employed across the country as of 2022. The BLS projects 9% employment growth for this group from 2022 to 2032, which is much faster than average. 

As of May 2023, the median annual salary for these managers was $77,030, according to the BLS.

Social and community managers’ salaries vary according to their employer, among other factors. For example, the BLS reports a median salary of $98,530 per year for managers working in local government settings, and a median salary of $66,770 per year for managers employed at nursing and residential care facilities. 
 

Advance Your Community Manager Career With a Master’s Degree

Once prospective community leaders understand the basic community manager job description, it’s time to determine how to expand their skill sets to meet the demands of today’s communities. One option is to earn a Master of Arts in Diverse Community Development Leadership, offered through the Tseng College at California State University, Northridge.

The two-year online program is designed to help students focus on building their leadership skills, exploring research methods, and learning more about diverse communities. Students complete courses in social justice, community empowerment, issues in community development, and community partnerships. Practical experience is a key aspect of this graduate program, with the school connecting students with local community partners. 

Learn more about this graduate degree program, and discover how it can enhance your community management career.