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Social media manager

Alternative titles for this job include Social media strategist, social media specialist, digital community manager, social media marketing manager

Social media managers communicate with organisations’ customers and clients through social media channels.

Average salary (a year)

£25,000 Starter

to

£60,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

38 to 40 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends attending events or appointments

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Social media manager

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role

University

Some employers may expect you to have a degree in a relevant subject, like:

  • advertising
  • marketing and public relations
  • digital and social media marketing
  • internet design
  • journalism
  • business management

A degree with a work placement will help you gain valuable experience and may be an advantage when you look for work.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could do an apprenticeship to get into this job. For example:

  • Multi-channel Marketer Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Digital Community Manager Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
  • Digital Marketer Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You could start work with a social media or marketing company as an assistant or digital content writer. As you get more experience, you could work your way up into a management position.

You could also do qualifications through professional bodies like the Institute of Data and Marketing and The Chartered Institute of Marketing to help improve your prospects.

Volunteering

You could get experience by volunteering to manage a charity's social media channels.

You could also show that you understand and know how to use social media by:

  • managing your own social media profiles
  • setting up and writing your own blog, and tracking its use and popularity
  • getting involved in social media for the company you already work for

You could also keep up to date by joining webinars about social media trends.

You may find relevant volunteering opportunities at Do It or NCVO.

More Information

Further information

You can find out more about social media marketing careers through The Chartered Institute of Marketing.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of media production and communication
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to sell products and services
  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • business management skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In your day-to-day duties you could:

  • update social media sites
  • write blogs, articles and posts
  • respond to social media posts and discussions
  • check online for company mentions and customer feedback
  • oversee competitions and campaigns promoting your company
  • promote social media use within your company
  • develop strategies to increase your audience
  • use social media tools to manage multiple sites
  • use web tracking tools to check how effective your campaigns are

Working environment

You could work in an office.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could move into managing social media for larger companies or progress to a senior or head social media manager job.

You could also become an online digital community manager, acting as a link between consumers and businesses supplying online products. For example, working with gamers and games developers in the online gaming community.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Multi-channel marketing apprenticeship

  • Wage: £12,480 a year Annually
  • Location: CORNWALL ROAD, HARROGATE

Marketing Apprentice

  • Wage: £15,000 a year Annually
  • Location: Benfleet
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Gateway Awd Digital Marketing L2

  • Provider: TYNE COAST COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: Wallsend

Level 2 Award in Digital Marketing

  • Provider: WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL
  • Start date: 24 April 2025
  • Location: London
Find courses near you

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