Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become a Social and Community Service Manager Social and community service managers typically need at least a bachelor's degree and work experience in a related occupation. Social and community service managers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree and work experience. However, some positions also require a master’s degree.
Education
Social and community service managers typically need a bachelor's degree in social work or a related public policy and social services field. However, some positions also require a master’s degree. Work Experience Workers usually need experience in order to become a social and community service manager, and it is essential for those with a bachelor’s degree. Candidates can get this experience by working as a social worker, substance abuse counselor, or in a similar occupation.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Employment of social and community service managers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 18,500 openings for social and community service managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Employment Much of the job growth in this occupation is the result of the increase in the population of older adults. This age group has a greater need for social services, such as adult day services, creating demand for social and community service managers. In addition, employment growth is projected as people continue to seek treatment for their addictions. There will be a greater need for treatment program managers as people with substance abuse disorders may be directed to treatment programs rather than to jail. Social and Community Service Managers Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Social and community service managers 7% Other management occupations 6% Total, all occupations 3% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Social and Community Service Managers Do
Social and community service managers coordinate and supervise programs and organizations that support public well-being. They direct workers who provide these services to the public.
Duties
Social and community service managers typically do the following:
- Work with community members and other stakeholders to identify necessary programs and services
- Oversee administrative aspects of programs to meet the objectives of the stakeholders
- Analyze data to determine the effectiveness of programs
- Suggest and implement improvements to programs and services
- Plan and manage outreach activities for increased awareness of programs
- Write proposals for social services funding
Social and community service managers work for a variety of organizations. Some of these organizations focus on working with a particular demographic, such as children, people who are homeless, older adults, or veterans. Others focus on helping people with particular challenges, such as substance abuse, mental health needs, and chronic hunger.
A routine part of social and community service managers’ job is to show that their programs and services are effective. They collect statistics and other information to evaluate the impact their programs have on the community or their target audience. They are usually required to report this information to administrators or funders. They may also use evaluations to identify opportunities to improve their programs, such as providing mentorship and assessments for their staff.
Although the specific job duties of social and community service managers may vary with the size of the organization, most managers recruit, hire, and train new staff members. They also supervise staff, such as social workers, who provide services directly to clients. Additionally, they may perform some of the services of the workers they oversee.
In large agencies, social and community service managers tend to have specialized duties. They may be responsible for running only one program in an organization and reporting to the agency’s upper management. They usually do not design programs but instead supervise and implement programs set up by administrators, elected officials, or other stakeholders.
In small organizations, social and community managers often have many roles. They represent their organization through public speaking engagements or in communitywide committees; oversee programs and execute their implementations; spend time on administrative tasks, such as managing budgets; and help with raising funds and meeting with potential donors.
Work Environment
Work Environment
Social and community service managers held about 231,000 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of social and community service managers were as follows:
| Individual and family services | 26% |
| Nursing and residential care facilities | 12 |
| Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations | 12 |
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 10 |
| Community food and housing, emergency and other relief services, and vocational rehabilitation services | 10 |
Social and community service managers work for nonprofit organizations, for-profit social service companies, and government agencies. They also work in a variety of settings, including offices, clinics, hospitals, and shelters.
Work Schedules
Most social and community service managers work full time. Some work more than 40 hours per week.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Analytical skills. Social and community service managers need to understand and evaluate data in order to provide strategic guidance to their organization. They must be able to monitor and assess current programs as well as determine new initiatives. Communication skills. Social and community service managers must be able to speak and write clearly. Public speaking experience is also helpful because these managers often participate in community outreach. Managerial skills. Social and community service managers spend much of their time administering budgets and responding to a variety of issues. Problem-solving skills. Social and community service managers must be able to address client, staff, and agency-related issues. Time-management skills. Social and community service managers must prioritize and handle numerous tasks, often in a short timeframe.
More Information
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about social and community service managers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.