Social and community service manager
Also known as
Work environment
- Usually work regular business hours
- Usually work in offices and community centres and may travel locally or nationally
- Need to be responsible, organised and communicate well
Salary information
Typical tasks
- Manage social service programmes and teams
- Create plans to support communities
- Check how well services are working
- Supervise and support staff
- Develop rules and policies for services
- Create budgets and financial reports
- Keep records of services and activities
- Solve problems and complaints
- Find out what communities need
- Work with other community organisations
Outlook
Social and community services remain important as New Zealand addresses housing pressures, family harm, mental health, disability support and inequitable outcomes. The sector is increasingly focused on integrated, whānau-centred and culturally responsive services. Digital systems can improve referrals and reporting, but funding priorities and workforce pressures can affect service capacity. Community partnerships remain central to responding to local needs.
What employers and industry want in graduates
- Leadership that supports staff, volunteers and community partners
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills
- Understanding of community needs, equity and cultural responsiveness
- Ability to plan services, manage budgets and report on outcomes
- Practical problem-solving and calm decision-making
- Ethical judgement, confidentiality and commitment to safeguarding
AUT programmes
The above is a suggestion only and a starting point. You may need to meet other criteria or take additional steps to work in this career.
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This data is sourced from the Tertiary Education Commission through the Tahatū Career Navigator website (www.tahtu.govt.nz) and used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. Some of the information has been modified by AUT. TEC has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications. TEC will not be held accountable for any errors within this data.