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    Social Media Coordinator vs Social Media Manager: what is the difference?

    Social Media Manager is the more senior of the two. Social Media Coordinator typically expects 0-2 years of experience and reports to Social Media Manager, while Social Media Manager expects 2-5 years and reports to Senior Manager, Strategist, or Director.

    Social Media Coordinator

    Entry Level

    The Social Media Coordinator is the entry point into the profession. This role is primarily executional, supporting day-to-day publishing, scheduling, and community management tasks under the direction of a more senior team member.

    Experience
    0-2 years
    Reports to
    Social Media Manager
    Owns
    • Scheduling and publishing content across platforms
    • Community management: responding to comments and messages
    • Basic reporting and analytics compilation
    • Sourcing and resizing visual assets
    • Competitor and trend monitoring
    Core skills
    CopywritingScheduling toolsPlatform literacyCanva / basic designCommunity managementAttention to detail

    Social Media Manager

    Mid Level

    The Social Media Manager is the most prevalent role in the profession. A Social Media Manager owns the day-to-day strategy and execution for a brand's social channels, balancing content creation, community management, reporting, and increasingly paid social oversight.

    Experience
    2-5 years
    Reports to
    Senior Manager, Strategist, or Director
    Owns
    • Developing and executing social media strategy
    • Content planning, creation, and publishing
    • Community management and brand reputation
    • Analytics reporting and performance optimisation
    • Managing relationships with agencies and creators
    Core skills
    Strategy developmentCopywritingAnalytics & reportingCommunity managementContent planningBasic paid socialStakeholder managementTeam coordination

    Which title should the job ad use?

    • Use Social Media Coordinator when the work centres on scheduling and publishing content across platforms and the hire will report to Social Media Manager.
    • Use Social Media Manager when the work centres on developing and executing social media strategy and the hire will report to Senior Manager, Strategist, or Director.
    • If the remit covers both, split the role or advertise at the more senior band and pay accordingly. Benchmarks are in the Salary Report.

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