Coworking spaces have transformed from simple office rentals into vibrant, collaborative environments that foster networking, creativity, and a sense of belonging for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and remote workers. Central to the success of these spaces is the community manager, a role that ensures smooth operations while nurturing a thriving, engaged community. If you aspire to climb the career ladder in coworking, understanding the progression and required skills is essential for success.

Understanding the Role of a Community Manager

The community manager is the backbone of coworking spaces. Their responsibilities range from overseeing daily operations and addressing member queries to organizing events and maintaining a positive environment. Beyond operational tasks, community managers cultivate relationships, grow the community, and help maintain a space’s identity. As coworking demand grows, the community manager’s role has expanded. These professionals blend customer service, emotional intelligence, and operational expertise to foster collaboration and satisfaction.

Step 1: Starting as a Community Associate or Coordinator

Becoming a community manager begins with an entry-level position, such as a community associate or coordinator. These roles provide an opportunity to learn the basics of coworking operations, including member interactions, event planning, and facility management. Here, you’ll gain hands-on experience in member satisfaction, logistics, and the inner workings of a coworking space. Developing strong communication, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence skills is critical during this phase, as these soft skills will serve as a foundation for future growth.

Step 2: Moving to Community Manager

After gaining experience in an associate role, the next step is becoming a community manager. At this level, responsibilities increase significantly, and you’ll likely manage a team of associates while overseeing more significant community initiatives. This role involves more decision-making, including managing budgets, handling member concerns, and ensuring the space runs efficiently. 

You will focus on relationship-building and fostering an atmosphere conducive to business growth and collaboration. Community managers also lead events like networking meetups, workshops, and social gatherings to boost member engagement. Developing leadership and management skills is crucial for success at this stage, as you’ll be balancing operational tasks and nurturing a thriving community.

Step 3: Senior Community Manager or Operations Lead

Once you’ve mastered the community manager role, advancing to a senior community manager or operations lead position is the next step. This role often involves overseeing multiple coworking locations or taking on strategic responsibilities to improve the overall operations of the space. The focus shifts from daily tasks to long-term planning, strategic growth, and team collaboration. 

As a senior manager, you’ll be key in evaluating space performance, implementing new initiatives, and refining processes to enhance member satisfaction. Additionally, you’ll contribute to shaping the brand’s vision, ensuring that the coworking space’s values are reflected in all community-building efforts.

Step 4: Community Director or Head of Community

The next step for those demonstrating strong leadership and innovation is to be the community director or head of the community. At this level, you’ll oversee the community strategy across multiple locations, managing a team of community managers and ensuring that member engagement remains a top priority. Your responsibilities will include setting goals for community development, aligning strategies with the company’s overall vision, and tracking performance metrics to assess the success of community programs. 

As you represent the coworking brand in the broader market, networking and industry presence become more critical at this stage. This role requires strategic thinking and the ability to anticipate trends while maintaining a high-performance team to execute your vision.

Step 5: Executive or Entrepreneurial Opportunities

The pinnacle of a career in coworking may involve stepping into an executive role, such as Chief Experience Officer or Chief Operating Officer, or even branching out to entrepreneurial ventures. Some community managers choose to start their own coworking spaces or consultancy services, helping other operators improve their community-building strategies. 

Success at the executive level requires a deep understanding of industry trends, strong business acumen, and the ability to innovate in member engagement. Networking with industry leaders, building a personal brand, and staying passionate about coworking culture will significantly increase your chances of success at this stage.

Final Thoughts

Climbing the career ladder in coworking spaces involves combining operational expertise, leadership, and emotional intelligence. Aspiring community managers must start with foundational roles and progressively advance through the ranks by mastering technical and soft skills. 

As the coworking industry continues to grow, the demand for skilled community managers will remain strong, offering countless opportunities for those dedicated to creating meaningful connections and a vibrant coworking experience.