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Social services manager

Also called policy manager, frontline manager, social care manager

Social services managers have the responsibility for strategic and operational leadership and management of staff teams and resources within and or across social services. They are responsible for the implementation of legislation and policies relating to, for example, decisions about vulnerable people. They promote social work and social care values and ethics, equality and diversity, and relevant codes guiding practice. They are responsible for liaising with other professionals in criminal justice, education and health. They can be responsible for contributing to local and national policy development.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospects57 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Production and specialized services managersWhat does it pay?Well above averageFrom about €3,000 (Bulgaria) to €11,300 (Italy) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Production and specialized services managersWhat do I need to study?Usually a degree6 in 10 have a degree.Production and specialized services managersWill AI change it?LittleLevel 2 of 6. AI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.Social welfare managers · ILO

What you'd do

Social welfare managers · ILO
  • Providing overall direction and management for a service, facility, organization or centre
  • Developing, implementing and monitoring procedures, policies and standards for staff
  • Monitoring and evaluating resources devoted to the provision of welfare, housing, and other social services
  • Controlling administrative operations such as budget planning, report preparation, and expenditure on supplies, equipment and services
  • Liaising with other welfare and health services providers, boards and funding bodies to discuss areas of health and welfare service cooperation and coordination
  • Advising government bodies about measures to improve welfare services and facilities
  • Representing the organization in negotiations, and at conventions, seminars, public hearings and forums
  • Establishing and managing budgets, controlling expenditure and ensuring the efficient use of resources
  • Establishing and directing operational and administrative procedures
  • Overseeing the selection, training and performance of staff
Provide safeguarding to individualsUse person-centred planningEvaluate staff performance in social workManage budgets for social services programsPromote social awareness+ 46 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors
  • Sitting most of the day
  • Constant contact with people, including the public
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Often more than 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines most weeks
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the US job "Social and Community Service Managers"

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

Many jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as production and specialized services managers in the EU
3.46m3.53m4.8m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
1,045,000 new jobs 1,100,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Production and specialized services managers57
All jobs29
Right now
2 of 27 countries report a shortage of social welfare managers, 2 a surplus.
Social welfare managers · EURES

What does it pay?

Well above average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €3,000 a month (Bulgaria) to €11,300 (Italy), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among managers in the EU, women earn 27% less per hour than men. Managers · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually a degree

A degree is the usual route.

Highest qualification of production and specialized services managers (EU, 2025)
Degree 63%Vocational 22%General secondary 8%Basic schooling 7%

Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Little

AI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.37 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 10 tasks
Controlling administrative operations such as budget planning, report preparation, and expenditure on supplies, equipment and services0.54
Advising government bodies about measures to improve welfare services and facilities0.39
Monitoring and evaluating resources devoted to the provision of welfare, housing, and other social services0.38
Developing, implementing and monitoring procedures, policies and standards for staff0.37
Establishing and directing operational and administrative procedures0.36
Establishing and managing budgets, controlling expenditure and ensuring the efficient use of resources0.36
Providing overall direction and management for a service, facility, organization or centre0.35
Representing the organization in negotiations, and at conventions, seminars, public hearings and forums0.34
Overseeing the selection, training and performance of staff0.32
Liaising with other welfare and health services providers, boards and funding bodies to discuss areas of health and welfare service cooperation and coordination0.29

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for social welfare managers. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).