Types of Online Community Manager Jobs
Online Community Management offers a variety of job titles, each with its own set of responsibilities and areas of expertise. From fostering community engagement to strategizing growth, these roles vary widely in scope and focus. Understanding these different titles can help aspiring and current online community managers navigate their career paths effectively.
Community Coordinator
An entry-level position, ideal for those starting their journey in online community management. Community Coordinators typically assist with content creation, moderating discussions, and supporting senior community managers in executing engagement strategies.
Community Manager
The core role in online community management, responsible for fostering a positive and active community. Community Managers engage with members, create content, and ensure the community aligns with the organization's goals.
Senior Community Manager
Experienced professionals overseeing larger communities or multiple community platforms. Senior Community Managers are involved in high-level strategy development and often mentor junior team members.
Community Strategist
A strategic role focusing on long-term community growth and engagement. Community Strategists analyze community data, develop engagement strategies, and collaborate with other departments to align community goals with business objectives.
Director of Community
A leadership role, focusing on the overall vision and goals of the community department. Directors of Community guide the community management team and work with senior leaders to integrate community strategies with company objectives.
VP of Community
An executive-level role responsible for the broader community strategy across the organization. VPs of Community play a critical role in shaping the company's community direction and engagement strategies.
Chief Community Officer (CCO)
The highest role in community management, overseeing all aspects of community development and strategy. CCOs are key decision-makers in the company, driving community vision, engagement, and growth at the executive level.
Each of these roles demands a unique set of skills and offers distinct challenges and opportunities, making the field of online community management a dynamic and diverse career path.
Online Community Manager Job Title Hierarchy
Associate Online Community Manager
Junior Online Community Manager
Community Coordinator
Community Assistant
Mid Level Online Community Manager Job Title
Community Specialist
Community Engagement Manager
Social Media Community Manager
Senior Online Community Manager
Lead Community Manager
Community Development Manager
Senior Community Strategist
Group Online Community Manager
Community Team Lead
Principal Community Manager
Global Community Manager
Director of Online Community Management
VP of Community Management
Head of Community
Chief Community OfficerTop Online Community Manager Job Titles by Level
Entry Level Job Titles
Starting a career in Online Community Management often begins with entry-level positions that provide foundational experiences in the field. These roles are designed to introduce new professionals to the basics of community engagement, content moderation, and social media strategy. Here are five common entry-level job titles in Online Community Management, each offering a unique starting point for those embarking on this exciting career path.
Community Coordinator
Community Coordinators assist in managing online communities by engaging with members, moderating content, and organizing community events. This role is essential for maintaining a positive and active community environment.
Social Media Assistant
Social Media Assistants support the social media team by scheduling posts, responding to comments, and analyzing engagement metrics. They play a crucial role in building and maintaining a brand's online presence.
Community Moderator
Community Moderators focus on monitoring user-generated content to ensure it adheres to community guidelines. They handle conflict resolution and foster a respectful and inclusive community atmosphere.
Content Curator
Content Curators are responsible for sourcing, creating, and sharing relevant content within the community. They help keep the community engaged and informed by providing valuable and interesting content.
Community Management Intern
Internships in Community Management offer practical experience in a real-world setting. Interns may engage in various aspects of community management, providing them with a broad overview of the field and valuable hands-on experience.
Mid Level Job Titles
Advancing to mid-level positions in Online Community Management involves taking on more responsibilities and a deeper involvement in community strategy and engagement. These roles require balancing hands-on community work with broader strategic planning, often acting as a bridge between senior leadership and the community team. Below are five key mid-level job titles in Online Community Management, each reflecting an important step in a community manager's career progression.
Community Manager
At the core of mid-level community roles, Community Managers take full ownership of online communities. They lead engagement strategies, oversee community guidelines, and align community activities with business objectives. They act as the primary point of contact for community members and ensure a positive and active community environment.
Social Media Manager
Social Media Managers focus on managing and growing the organization's presence on social media platforms. They create and curate content, engage with followers, and analyze social media metrics to refine strategies. This role requires a strong understanding of social media trends and the ability to foster online engagement.
Content and Community Strategist
Content and Community Strategists develop and implement content strategies that drive community engagement. They work closely with content creators and marketers to ensure that the content resonates with the community and supports overall business goals. This role requires a blend of content creation skills and strategic thinking.
Engagement Specialist
Engagement Specialists focus on fostering active participation within the community. They design and implement engagement initiatives, such as events, challenges, and discussions, to keep community members involved and motivated. This role requires creativity and a deep understanding of community dynamics.
Customer Advocacy Manager
Customer Advocacy Managers build and nurture relationships with key community members and advocates. They identify and support brand ambassadors, gather feedback, and leverage customer stories to enhance the community's value. This role requires excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to turn satisfied customers into passionate advocates.
Senior Level Job Titles
Starting a career in Online Community Management often begins with entry-level positions that provide foundational experiences in the field. These roles are designed to introduce new professionals to the basics of community engagement, content moderation, and social media strategy. Here are five common entry-level job titles in Online Community Management, each offering a unique starting point for those embarking on this exciting career path.
Community Coordinator
Community Coordinators assist in managing online communities by engaging with members, moderating content, and organizing community events. This role is essential for maintaining a positive and active community environment.
Social Media Assistant
Social Media Assistants support the social media team by scheduling posts, responding to comments, and analyzing engagement metrics. They play a crucial role in building and maintaining a brand's online presence.
Community Moderator
Community Moderators focus on monitoring user-generated content to ensure it adheres to community guidelines. They handle conflict resolution and foster a respectful and inclusive community atmosphere.
Content Curator
Content Curators are responsible for sourcing, creating, and sharing relevant content within the community. They help keep the community engaged and informed by providing valuable and interesting content.
Community Management Intern
Internships in Community Management offer practical experience in a real-world setting. Interns may engage in various aspects of community management, providing them with a broad overview of the field and valuable hands-on experience.
Director Level Job Titles
Director-level roles in Online Community Management are characterized by strategic oversight, community engagement, and the ability to drive the growth and success of online communities. These positions require a blend of strategic vision, leadership skills, and a deep understanding of community dynamics. Here are five prominent director-level job titles in Online Community Management.
Director of Online Community Management
The Director of Online Community Management oversees the entire community management team, setting strategic direction and ensuring alignment with the organization's goals. They play a key role in community engagement, growth strategies, and long-term planning.
Director of Community Strategy
This role focuses on the strategic aspect of community development, involving market analysis, trend forecasting, and setting the future roadmap for community initiatives. They ensure that community strategies are innovative and competitive.
Director of Community Operations
Responsible for the operational efficiency of the community management team, the Director of Community Operations streamlines processes and systems to enhance productivity and effectiveness in community engagement and support.
Director of Community Development
This position is pivotal in managing the community development lifecycle from ideation to implementation. The Director of Community Development leads cross-functional teams, coordinates with marketing and product teams, and ensures communities meet engagement and growth targets.
Director of Community Experience
While primarily focused on the user experience within the community, this role is integral in community management, ensuring that community members have an outstanding experience. The Director of Community Experience collaborates closely with community managers to align the community's design and functionality with member needs.
VP Level Job Titles
Ascending to a VP-level position in online community management signifies a transition into executive leadership. Professionals at this level are responsible for setting strategic direction, driving community engagement across the organization, and ensuring that community initiatives align with the overall business objectives. Here are five prominent VP-level job titles in Online Community Management, each reflecting a significant role in steering the company's community strategies and innovation.
Vice President of Online Community Management
This title represents a senior executive role, where the individual oversees the entire online community management function. They are responsible for long-term community strategy, aligning community goals with business objectives, and leading community teams towards achieving these goals.
VP of Community Engagement
Focusing specifically on the engagement aspect of online communities, this role involves overseeing the strategies and initiatives that drive member participation and interaction. The VP of Community Engagement ensures that the community remains active, vibrant, and aligned with the organization's mission.
VP of Community Strategy
This role centers around strategic planning for community initiatives. The VP of Community Strategy analyzes community trends, oversees community roadmaps, and ensures that community efforts contribute to the company's broader strategic goals.
VP of Community Growth
Bridging the gap between community management and growth strategies, this role involves leading initiatives to expand the community. The VP of Community Growth works on member acquisition, retention strategies, and scaling community efforts effectively.
VP of Community and Customer Success
This role is often seen in customer-centric companies, combining community management with customer success leadership. The VP of Community and Customer Success oversees both community strategy and customer engagement, ensuring that community efforts enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty.
How to Advance Your Current Online Community Manager Title
Similar Online Community Manager Careers & Titles
The role of an Online Community Manager is dynamic and intersects with various other career paths. Understanding these similar or alternative careers not only broadens your professional horizon but also enriches your skill set as you may often collaborate with or transition into these roles during your career journey.
Social Media Manager
Social Media Managers share similarities with Online Community Managers in terms of engaging with audiences and fostering community growth. While Online Community Managers focus on building and nurturing communities within specific platforms, Social Media Managers concentrate on managing a brand's presence across multiple social media channels, often working closely with Online Community Managers to align community goals with broader social media strategies.
Content Strategist
Content Strategists play a critical role in developing and managing content that resonates with target audiences, similar to how Online Community Managers create engaging content to keep community members active and involved. They specialize in planning, creating, and overseeing content strategies, often providing valuable insights and resources for Online Community Managers.
Customer Success Manager
Customer Success Managers focus on ensuring customer satisfaction and retention, an aspect crucial to the success of any online community. Their role complements that of an Online Community Manager, as both aim to understand and fulfill the needs and preferences of their audience, making this a potential career transition or collaborative role for Online Community Managers.
Digital Marketing Specialist
Digital Marketing Specialists, much like Online Community Managers, work heavily with digital platforms to drive engagement and growth. They focus on creating and executing marketing campaigns to reach and convert target audiences, a skill that is increasingly important for Online Community Managers, especially in data-driven community development.
Event Coordinator
Event Coordinators have a role that often intersects with that of Online Community Managers, particularly in organizing and managing events that engage and grow the community. The synergy between these roles is vital for the successful planning and execution of both online and offline community events.
FAQs about Online Community Manager Titles
How do Online Community Manager job titles vary across industries?
Online Community Manager job titles often reflect industry-specific needs. In tech, you'll find roles like 'Technical Community Manager', emphasizing platform expertise. Consumer brands might have 'Brand Community Manager', focusing on customer engagement. Healthcare industries could use titles like 'Patient Community Manager', requiring knowledge of patient support. In finance, titles like 'Investor Community Manager' are common, demanding understanding of financial communication. Each industry tailors Online Community Manager roles to meet its unique challenges and audience needs, maintaining core community-building principles while varying in specialized skills.
Are there any emerging job titles for Online Community Managers that are gaining popularity?
Yes, as the field of Online Community Management evolves, new job titles are emerging to address the diverse needs of digital communities. Titles such as 'Community Engagement Specialist' focus on fostering active participation and meaningful interactions. 'Social Media Community Manager' roles are increasing, emphasizing the management of brand presence across various social platforms. Similarly, 'Community Analytics Manager' is a growing title, reflecting the need for data-driven insights to optimize community strategies. These emerging roles highlight the industry's shift towards specialized skills, integrating advanced analytics and platform-specific expertise into the community management domain.
Which Online Community Manager job title has the highest salary potential?
Generally, the salary potential for Online Community Managers increases with seniority and scope of responsibility. Titles such as 'Director of Community' or 'Head of Community' often command the highest salaries in the field. These roles involve strategic oversight, community growth initiatives, and management of community teams. They are responsible for shaping the community strategy and ensuring its alignment with broader business goals. The high salary potential in these positions reflects their critical role in fostering community engagement, brand loyalty, and overall company success.
Up Next
Online Community Manager Work-Life Balance
