Social and Community Service Managers

People in this career coordinate and plan the activities of community outreach organizations and social service programs. Their daily duties involve managing budgets, establishing participant requirements, and directing staff members such as counselors, social workers, or probation officers. To keep programs running smoothly, these managers spend time organizing, planning, and performing administrative tasks. They must gather information, make critical decisions, and evaluate program data to ensure compliance with standards. Communicating with people both inside and outside the organization is a major part of the job.

Success in this field requires strong skills in personnel management, coordination, and active listening. Managers must be socially perceptive and service-oriented to understand and address the needs of those they serve. Key knowledge areas include administration, psychology, customer service, and sociology. Those drawn to this work typically have an enterprising interest area, meaning they enjoy leading people and making decisions. They rely on work styles like empathy, integrity, dependability, and cooperation to build strong relationships and guide their teams effectively.

Entering this career typically requires a bachelor's degree along with several years of related work experience. Students preparing for this field often major in social work, human services, public administration, community organization and advocacy, or business administration. Other relevant majors include behavioral sciences, thanatology, and general business or management.

While a degree and experience are the standard preparation, some states list licensing requirements for this work. Professionals can also pursue voluntary certifications to demonstrate their expertise. Available credentials include the Certified in Volunteer Administration from the Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration, and the Certified Park and Recreation Professional from the National Recreation and Park Association. Other options include the Certified Contract Management Associate, Certified Credit Union Board Member, Certified Credit Union Facilitator, and a certification in Managing Composting Programs.

In 2025, the median annual pay for social and community service managers was $80,390. Earnings vary based on experience and location, with the lowest 10% of workers earning less than $53,150, while the highest 10% earn more than $132,260.

With 209,330 people employed in this field, the occupation is projected to grow by 7.2% from 2025 to 2035, which is faster than the average for all occupations. This growth, combined with normal turnover, is expected to result in approximately 18,500 job openings each year.