Games
Community manager
Also known as: Brand manager, Content marketing manager, Customer relations manager, Social media coordinator, Social media manager
What does a community manager do?
Community managers take care of the essential part of any game – the gamers themselves. Every great game has fans - fans who play with each other, talk on social media, go to tournaments and wear the tee-shirts.
Community managers are responsible for the community that grows around the game. That means they attend events, write newsletters, organise social media, set up live streams and find the best way of dealing with criticism too.
They are the people who know the fans best. They speak on behalf of the fans to the game designers so that the game can be improved. When community managers do their job well, sales of the game increase.
Watch and read
- Community Manager - John Lloyd, Path Games
- Community Management in Gaming: 7 Powerful Strategies for Building a Thriving Community
- Careers in video games: community manager & host (Charlie, XBOX)
What’s a community manager good at?
- Understanding gamers: know who’s playing particular games, figure out what the community wants and feed that back to the game developers
- Communication: good at writing for newsletters and social media, be able to edit images and videos
- Organising: create a plan for communicating the game to the fans, manage projects and analyse feedback
- Analytics: know how to use tools that track how people are using the website and social media
- Knowledge of games: understand the market for games, how games are made and the people who make them
Who does a community manager work with?
Community managers’ colleagues vary according to the size of the company. In larger companies, they will be working with marketing and public relations teams. In smaller companies, they might be working more closely with game designers and programmers.
How do I become a community manager?
Community manager roles are often senior positions. However it’s a role for which there is growing demand and many companies will take on a junior or assistant community manager if they have the right talent and experience.
At school or college:
If you want to go to university study subjects that will help you to write or give you an understanding of games production. A-levels, Highers in English or media could be useful. Or you might like to take a level 3 vocational qualification in digital media or business. Look at what your local college offers such as:
- OCR Technical Diploma in Digital Media (Moving Image and Audio Production)
- UAL Diploma/Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production and Technology
- T Level Media, Broadcast and Production
- OCR Technical Diploma / Extended Diploma in Business
- T Level Management and Administration
- T Level Marketing
Get an apprenticeship:
An apprenticeship is a job with training, so it’s a great opportunity to earn as you learn. You might be able to find an apprenticeship as a junior social media or community manager. Check out What’s an apprenticeship? to learn more about apprenticeships and Find an apprenticeship to learn how to find one in your region, or approach companies directly. Go to ScreenSkills information on games apprenticeships for the main apprenticeship schemes in games.
It’s also worth looking for an apprenticeship in marketing or social media outside the games industry. This could give you a strong base from which to move into community management in games at a later point.
Get a degree:
Most people in the games industry have a degree. You can get a degree in any subject to equip you for this role but have a look at ScreenSkills’ list of recommended courses in games. We recognise courses with our ScreenSkills Select award where they offer training in the relevant software, dedicated time to building a portfolio and have strong links with the games industry.
Volunteer:
Many organisations need people to help with social media. See if you can grow a community on their behalf. That will impress employers.
Search for jobs:
Use the UK Games Map to find out if there are games companies near you, then go to their websites directly and check out their open roles. You could also check out ScreenSkills games industry job boards.
Meet people in the industry:
Go to ScreenSkills’ events, follow your local film office and any local community arts and media organisations and attend their events. Go to how to network well for some tips.
Network online:
Create a LinkedIn profile. See if there’s a Facebook page or other social media group for people making films or videos in your area. Join it and take part. Create a ScreenSkills profile.
Explore ScreenSkills Resources:
ScreenSkills careers information:
The your career hub has a wealth of resources designed to help you start or progress your career.
ScreenSkills e-learning:
ScreenSkills has a suite of free e-learning modules for those who are over 18 which can improve your knowledge. The ScreenSkills Passport modules also prepare you as they are essential for some production roles. Some modules are available for those under 18. For anyone wanting advice about first steps, the Getting into the screen industries modules are very useful.
ScreenSkills skills checklists:
If you would like more detail about the tasks, responsibilities and skills required for many key roles in film and TV drama, children’s TV and unscripted TV you can look at our skills checklists.
You might also be interested in…
Being a games publisher or marketing executive in the games industry. You might also be interested in being a publicist or marketing manager in the film and TV drama industries, or a marketing executive in the animation industry. Alternatively, you could consider being a digital producer in the unscripted TV industry.
