How to hire a senior engagement manager

How to hire a senior engagement manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step senior engagement manager hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a senior engagement manager job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new senior engagement manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a senior engagement manager do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the senior engagement manager you need to hire. Certain senior engagement manager roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect senior engagement manager also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   Here's a comparison of senior engagement manager salaries for various roles:

   Type of Senior Engagement Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Senior Engagement Manager	Computer and information systems managers, often called information technology (IT) managers or IT project managers, plan, coordinate, and direct computer-related activities in an organization. They help determine the information technology goals of an organization and are responsible for implementing computer systems to meet those goals.	$43-77
   Manager, Systems Engineering	A systems engineering manager is responsible for monitoring the efficiency of the company's technology systems and network infrastructure. System engineering managers inspect the output deliverables of computer systems, identifying process improvement techniques to improve optimal performance and maintain high-quality results... Show more	$46-84
   Manager And Consultant	Managers and Consultants are employees who are considered industry experts. They contribute to the company by providing valuable insights regarding the industry... Show more	$41-71

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Project Management
   • Client Relationships
   • Strong Project Management
   • Portfolio
   • Digital Marketing
   • Cloud
   • Professional Services
   • Manage Client Expectations
   • Digital Transformation
   • SR
   • Amazon Web Services
   • Pre Sales
   • Business Objectives
   • Healthcare

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage customer stakeholders at onsite effectively during bid phase to deliver quality proposal.
   • Establish an active alumni association and regional advisory council to manage affinity benefits, plan events, and coordinate giving opportunities.
   • Design digital payments strategy in retail, government and healthcare sectors for top global bank.
   • Assist in development of templates for the client solution such as CRM application specifications, statements of work and requirements documents.
   • Develop process models that incorporate call center operational process design changes for CRM enhancements.
   • Establish an active alumni association and regional advisory council to manage affinity benefits, plan events, and coordinate giving opportunities.

   More senior engagement manager duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the senior engagement manager job description is a good way to get more applicants. A senior engagement manager salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a senior engagement manager in Missouri may be lower than in New Hampshire, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level senior engagement manager. Additionally, a senior engagement manager with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average senior engagement manager salary

   $120,823yearly

   $58.09 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level senior engagement manager salary

   $90,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

   Average senior engagement manager salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$137,199	$66
   2	New York	$131,109	$63
   3	New Jersey	$129,686	$62
   4	Massachusetts	$125,310	$60
   5	Pennsylvania	$124,758	$60
   6	Virginia	$123,248	$59
   7	Connecticut	$121,320	$58
   8	Washington	$120,481	$58
   9	Michigan	$119,978	$58
   10	Arizona	$116,381	$56
   11	Maryland	$114,985	$55
   12	Texas	$114,166	$55
   13	Oregon	$114,069	$55
   14	Illinois	$114,002	$55
   15	North Carolina	$113,218	$54
   16	District of Columbia	$110,464	$53
   17	Wisconsin	$109,671	$53
   18	Florida	$109,362	$53
   19	Georgia	$109,083	$52
   20	Ohio	$108,894	$52

   Average senior engagement manager salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Lyft	$155,441	$74.73	5
   2	Bain & Company	$153,146	$73.63	5
   3	Genentech	$151,822	$72.99	22
   4	Apple	$150,897	$72.55	58
   5	eBay	$148,778	$71.53	30
   6	First Republic Bank	$145,667	$70.03
   7	JUUL	$145,329	$69.87	2
   8	ServiceNow	$144,967	$69.70	65
   9	Palo Alto Networks	$143,783	$69.13	56
   10	Advent Software	$141,006	$67.79
   11	Capgemini	$140,738	$67.66	63
   12	Starbucks	$140,177	$67.39	5
   13	Citi	$139,717	$67.17	7
   14	Edwards Lifesciences	$139,244	$66.94	86
   15	U.S. Pharmacopeia	$138,945	$66.80	4
   16	Instacart	$138,816	$66.74	4
   17	Waters	$138,468	$66.57	11
   18	Opera Colorado	$138,229	$66.46
   19	Alnylam Pharmaceuticals	$137,989	$66.34
   20	Moderna	$137,953	$66.32	4

4. Writing a senior engagement manager job description

   A job description for a senior engagement manager role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a senior engagement manager job description:

   Senior engagement manager job description example

   Senior Manager, Community Engagement - On-line Communities
   
   Location: Denver, CO
   
   Minimum Education:
   
   BA/BS Comparable years of relevant experience will be considered in lieu of a degree Preferred Degree or fields of work/study: Digital Communications Public Health Education Health and Human Services
   
   Minimum Requirements:
   
   Minimum of five years combined experience in: volunteer engagement, digital communications, public health education, or health and human services fields, especially in the following areas: program / education / engagement through digital platforms -social media, video conferencing, and online including moderating and facilitating curriculum. Understanding of Web Content Accessibility guidelines (WCAG). Experience with people with disabilities, particularly MS, desirable. Understanding of diversity, inclusion, generational differences, and overcoming biases. Possess excellent communication skills both verbal and written, with ability to deliver presentations to the public through a variety of channels (virtually and in-person) and engage constituents through online written communication (ex. chat box, blogs, Facebook posts). Demonstrates the ability to work independently, proactively address and work through challenges with professional courage, diplomacy, emotional intelligence and resilience; think ahead and anticipate program participant needs, understanding internal and external landscapes, proactively informing programmatic delivery solutions; and act with urgency with prompt follow up. Has a track record of being innovative, open-minded, creative, and is continuously learning. Has served as an effective change agent, with a positive solution-focused approach, demonstrating the ability to be nimble and work in the gray. Strong relationship building and communication skills with the ability to build trust and motivate staff and volunteers to perform at their best in order to achieve strategic business outputs. Ability to think through problems, make inclusive decisions, and lead others through complex situations.
   
   Technical/Other:
   
   Computer knowledge and experience in MS Office: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Ability to quickly learn new software is desired. Database experience preferred. Experience with social media and digital platform channels, functionality and engagement features is required. Knowledge of social research and the data and information derived from such research Commitment to the mission, vision, cultural values, and expectations of the National MS Society (IF APPLICABLE) This position will be required to drive/travel on Society business. Candidate must possess a valid driver's license, proof of insurance and reliable transportation. The Society does run motor vehicle checks for all positions which require driving and the applicant must meet the Society guidelines. (IF APPLICABLE) Availability to work occasional nights and weekends to support events, committee meetings, etc.
   
   Benefits:
   
   The National Multiple Sclerosis Society provides a highly competitive, comprehensive benefit package to employees. These benefits include a considerable Paid Time Off Plan; Paid Holidays; 401k Retirement Savings Plan with Society match; Educational Reimbursement Plan; Professional Development Assistance; Commuter Benefit Plan; Comprehensive Health & Welfare benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Flex Spending Accounts, Life Insurance, Disability Coverage, Life Assistance Plan as well as additional voluntary benefit offerings.
   
   Compensation:
   
   Estimated hiring compensation range for this role is $55,000 - $67,000 (based on an average compensation schedule). Final offers will be based on the candidates geographic location and considers career experience and may vary from this range due to these and other factors.
   
   The National MS Society is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We strive to create a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. We need you and your unique talents and perspectives to help us write the last chapter on MS.
   
   All offers of employment are contingent upon the candidate showing proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (with a COVID-19 FDA-approved vaccine or a COVID-19 vaccine granted Emergency Use Authorization) by the date of hire. A candidate is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the second dose of a two-dose vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) or one dose of a single dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson/Janssen) or as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Candidates unable to be vaccinated, either because of a sincerely held religious belief or a medical condition or disability that prevents them from being vaccinated, can request a reasonable accommodation.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right senior engagement manager for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your senior engagement manager job on Zippia to find and recruit senior engagement manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit senior engagement managers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new senior engagement manager

   Once you've decided on a perfect senior engagement manager candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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