Community Manager

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Community Manager

🔹 Company: Velan Studios

🔹 Location: Troy, New York, United States

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid (3 days on-site preferred)

🔹 Category: Gaming & Community Management

🔹 Date Posted: April 7, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site preferred, hybrid possible

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Developing and executing community engagement strategies across various platforms
• Acting as the primary point of contact for the community, managing player feedback, and fostering a positive environment
• Planning and hosting events, livestreams, and interactive sessions with the development team
• Collaborating with the marketing team to ensure consistent messaging and branding
• Tracking engagement and sentiment metrics to optimize community growth and participation

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of creative thinking, strong communication skills, and a deep understanding of gaming communities. Experience in managing online player communities and a passion for video games are crucial for success in this position.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Develop and execute community engagement strategies across Discord, Steam, Reddit, social media, and other platforms

✅ Act as the primary point of contact for the community, responding to player questions, concerns, and feedback in a timely manner

✅ Develop and enforce community guidelines to maintain a positive and inclusive environment

✅ Manage the player feedback loop, ensuring a consistent and smooth loop between community feedback and the development teams to improve game quality and player satisfaction

✅ Build and maintain strong relationships with players, ensuring they feel connected to both our games and our studio

✅ Plan and host dev diaries, developer Q&As, livestreams, and other interactive developer/community sessions

✅ Organize and manage community events including contests, tournaments, in-game activities, and other engagement initiatives

✅ Work closely with the rest of the marketing team to ensure consistent messaging and branding across all channels

✅ Track engagement and sentiment metrics, adjusting strategies to optimize community growth and participation

ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment where things often change on short notice and will thrive in a role that requires both creative and clear communication.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related field (or equivalent experience)

Experience: At least 2 years of experience managing online player communities. Bonus points if you’ve shipped a game or two! Ideally, a candidate has taken a project from announce through launch and beyond.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in community management or a related role
• Passion for video games and a deep understanding of gaming communities
• Comfortable and confident on-camera for both filmed and livestreamed content
• Effectively convey ideas through written and verbal communication that is both creative and clear
• Thrive in a fast-paced environment where things often change on short notice
• Comfortable with Microsoft Office, Photoshop, OBS, and other creative tools

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Discord, Steam, Reddit, and other gaming platforms
• Familiarity with analytics tools for tracking engagement and sentiment metrics
• Knowledge of the gaming industry and trends

ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, having experience with specific gaming platforms and analytics tools would be beneficial for this role. Familiarity with the gaming industry and trends would also be an asset.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $65,000 - $90,000 annually (USD)

Benefits:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Savings Plan
• Paid Holidays
• Flexible Time-off Benefits

Working Hours: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week. Some flexibility for event planning and community engagement may be required.

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a community manager role with 2-5 years of experience in the gaming industry. The benefits listed are typical for a company of Velan Studios' size and industry.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Velan Studios operates in the competitive and dynamic computer games industry, with a focus on creating breakthrough experimental games and new kinds of experiences.

Company Size: Velan Studios has 51-200 employees, providing a mid-sized company environment where applicants can expect a mix of structure and agility.

Founded: Velan Studios was founded in 2016, making it a relatively young company with a strong focus on innovation and growth.

Company Description:

• Velan Studios is a new development studio made up of a diverse team of game industry veterans
• The team has created hundreds of games, selling millions of copies over the past 25 years
• Their mission is to create breakthrough experimental games that will stoke the imagination and entertain, and new kinds of experiences that push the frontier of gaming forward

Company Specialties:

• Creating groundbreaking gaming experiences
• Reimagining play in new ways
• Pioneering groundbreaking games

Company Website: velanstudios.com

ASSUMPTION: Velan Studios' focus on innovation and creativity makes it an attractive option for applicants seeking a dynamic and forward-thinking work environment in the gaming industry.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is suitable for an early to mid-career professional with 2-5 years of experience in community management or a related field.

Reporting Structure: The Community Manager will report directly to the Marketing Director and work closely with the development teams to ensure player feedback is integrated into the game development process.

Work Arrangement: This role is hybrid, with a preference for candidates who can work on-site in the Troy, NY studio 3 days a week. The remaining 2 days can be worked remotely.

Growth Opportunities:

• As Velan Studios continues to grow, there may be opportunities for the Community Manager to take on additional responsibilities or move into a leadership role
• Working closely with the development teams may provide insights into game development and other aspects of the gaming industry
• The dynamic nature of the gaming industry may present unexpected opportunities for career growth and development

ASSUMPTION: While Velan Studios does not explicitly mention growth opportunities, the company's focus on innovation and growth suggests that there may be opportunities for career advancement for the right candidate.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Velan Studios' office is located in Troy, NY, providing a modern and collaborative work environment for employees.

Office Location(s): 5 Third St., #300, Troy, NY 12180, US

Geographic Context:

• Troy, NY is a mid-sized city located in the northeastern United States
• The city offers a mix of urban and suburban living, with a variety of cultural and recreational opportunities
• Troy is located approximately 3 hours north of New York City and 2.5 hours west of Boston, providing easy access to major metropolitan areas

Work Schedule: The Community Manager will work full-time, with a flexible schedule that may require some evening or weekend work to accommodate community events and livestreams.

ASSUMPTION: While Velan Studios prefers candidates who can work on-site in their Troy, NY studio, the company is open to considering hybrid or remote work arrangements for the right candidate.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Initial phone or video screen to assess communication skills and cultural fit
• In-depth interview with the Marketing Director and other team members to discuss the role and the candidate's qualifications
• Case study or project presentation to demonstrate the candidate's ability to develop and execute community engagement strategies
• Final interview with the CEO or another senior leader to discuss the candidate's long-term fit with the company

Key Assessment Areas:

• Communication skills and on-camera presence
• Understanding of gaming communities and trends
• Creativity and strategic thinking in community engagement
• Ability to work collaboratively with development teams and other stakeholders
• Adaptability and comfort working in a fast-paced environment

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your experience in community management and your passion for video games
• Prepare a case study or project presentation that demonstrates your ability to develop and execute community engagement strategies
• Be ready to discuss your understanding of gaming communities and trends, as well as your creative ideas for engaging with players
• Follow up with the hiring manager after your interview to express your interest in the role and reiterate your qualifications

ATS Keywords: Community Management, Player Engagement, Gaming Communities, Discord, Steam, Reddit, Social Media, Event Planning, Livestreaming, Marketing, Branding, Player Feedback, Game Development

ASSUMPTION: Velan Studios uses an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to manage job applications, so including relevant keywords in your resume and cover letter can help your application stand out.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Discord
• Steam
• Reddit
• Social media platforms (e.g., Twitter, Facebook, Instagram)
• Microsoft Office
• Photoshop
• OBS
• Analytics tools for tracking engagement and sentiment metrics

ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, familiarity with these tools and technologies would be beneficial for the successful candidate.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Creativity
• Innovation
• Collaboration
• Adaptability
• Passion for gaming

Work Style:

• Creative and strategic thinking
• Strong communication skills
• Adaptability and comfort working in a fast-paced environment
• Collaborative and team-oriented approach
• Passion for video games and gaming communities

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you thrive in a creative and dynamic work environment?
• Are you comfortable and confident on-camera for both filmed and livestreamed content?
• Do you have a deep understanding of gaming communities and trends?
• Are you able to work collaboratively with development teams and other stakeholders?
• Do you have a passion for video games and a desire to engage with gaming communities?

ASSUMPTION: Velan Studios values creativity, innovation, and collaboration, so candidates who can demonstrate these qualities will be well-suited to the company's culture.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• The fast-paced nature of the gaming industry may require the Community Manager to adapt quickly to changes in strategy or priorities
• The Community Manager may need to manage difficult or negative player feedback, requiring strong communication skills and emotional intelligence
• The hybrid work arrangement may present challenges in maintaining a strong connection with the on-site team and fostering a collaborative work environment
• The competitive nature of the gaming industry may require the Community Manager to stay up-to-date with industry trends and competitor activities

ASSUMPTION: While Velan Studios is a dynamic and innovative company, the Community Manager may face challenges related to the fast-paced nature of the gaming industry and the need to manage player feedback effectively.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Unlike traditional community management roles, this position requires a deep understanding of gaming communities and trends, as well as a passion for video games
• The focus on open development and player engagement sets this role apart from more traditional gaming community management positions
• As Velan Studios continues to grow, there may be opportunities for the Community Manager to take on additional responsibilities or move into a leadership role

ASSUMPTION: While this role shares some similarities with traditional community management positions, the focus on gaming communities and open development sets it apart from other roles in the industry.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a community engagement strategy for a new game launch, including planning and hosting events, livestreams, and interactive sessions with the development team
• Managing player feedback and integrating it into the game development process to improve game quality and player satisfaction
• Creating and enforcing community guidelines to maintain a positive and inclusive environment for players

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are intended to provide a sense of the types of tasks and responsibilities the Community Manager may be expected to undertake in this role.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How does Velan Studios approach open development and player engagement in its games?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
• How does Velan Studios support the professional development and growth of its employees?
• What are the biggest challenges facing the gaming community at Velan Studios, and how can this role help address them?
• How does Velan Studios foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment, both on-site and remotely?

ASSUMPTION: These questions are intended to help the candidate better understand the role, the company, and the team they would be working with, as well as to demonstrate their interest in and understanding of the position.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your experience in community management and your passion for video games
• Prepare a case study or project presentation that demonstrates your ability to develop and execute community engagement strategies
• Follow up with the hiring manager after your interview to express your interest in the role and reiterate your qualifications
• If you are selected for an interview, be prepared to discuss your understanding of gaming communities and trends, as well as your creative ideas for engaging with players

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.