Community & Engagement Manager

Community & Engagement Manager ABOUT US Wavytalk is more than a hair tools brand, we’re a fast-growing, digital-first brand building a highly engaged community around self-expression through hair. As the #1 hair tools brand on TikTok Shop and expanding into major retailers like Target and Ulta, our focus is not just on selling products, but on building a community that shapes culture, drives conversation, and informs everything we create. POSITION OVERVIEW We’re looking for a Community & Engagement Manager to own and scale Wavytalk’s community ecosystem, turning conversations into insights, users into advocates, and engagement into long-term brand equity. This role will focus on community growth (including TYB platform), social listening, and ambassador program development, while translating community insights into actionable recommendations across marketing, brand, and product. You will also collaborate closely with the content team, contributing to content direction and ideas rooted in real community behavior and trends. This role reports to the Senior Marketing Director and works cross-functionally with marketing, product, and creative teams. Key Responsibilities: Community Building & Engagement · Own day-to-day engagement across all community touchpoints (social platforms, DMs, comments, TYB, etc.) · Grow and nurture Wavytalk’s community, with a strong focus on expanding and activating the TYB platform · Build a strong, consistent brand voice across all interactions: playful, confident, and community-first · Identify and engage high-value community members to deepen loyalty and advocacy Social Listening & Consumer Insights · Develop and lead a social listening strategy across TikTok, Instagram, reviews, and community platforms · Identify emerging trends, pain points, and product feedback from real users · Translate insights into clear, actionable recommendations for: o Product development (features, improvements, new ideas) o Marketing messaging and campaigns o Content strategy and creative direction · Regularly report key learnings and opportunities to internal teams Ambassador Program & Community Advocacy · Scale Wavytalk’s Brand Ambassador Program, focused on: Community-first creators and loyal users High-quality, authentic content Long-term brand advocacy (vs one-off influencer deals) · Develop structures for onboarding, engagement, and retention of ambassadors · Identify opportunities to turn top community members into brand champions · Establish and grow a network of professional hairstylists, laying the foundation for the Wavytalk Hair Stylist Academy —a future educational platform dedicated to training and empowering stylists. Community-Driven Initiatives & Events · Lead the planning and execution of community events, both virtual and in-person, such as styling workshops, product launches, and brand pop-ups. · Oversee user-generated content (UGC) campaigns, fostering organic brand advocacy and excitement. · Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create engaging brand moments, from loyalty programs to surprise-and-delight campaigns for our most engaged customers. Community-Led Initiatives & Events · Plan and execute community-focused events, both virtual and in-person (e.g., workshops, pop-ups, creator/community meetups) · Support activations that bring the community to life (e.g., Coachella-style moments, local events, TYB initiatives) · Create programs that drive participation, engagement, and word-of-mouth growth TYB Platform Ownership · Own and grow Wavytalk’s presence on TYB (community platform) · Drive engagement through challenges, prompts, and exclusive community experiences · Monitor participation and optimize strategies to increase activity and retention · Collaborate with internal teams to align TYB initiatives with broader brand campaigns Content Collaboration · Partner closely with the content team to bring community insights into content creation · Contribute ideas for: o Trends and reactive content o Tutorials and education o Community-driven storytelling · Participate in content brief development and feedback loops · Ensure content reflects real user behavior, language, and needs About You: We are looking for a community-driven, relationship-building expert who thrives on engagement, storytelling, and strategic collaboration. You should be passionate about hair, beauty, and content creation, with a deep understanding of digital communities, influencer marketing, and brand building. · 4+ years of experience in community management, influencer relations, partnerships, or brand marketing, preferably in beauty, lifestyle, or fashion industries. · Proven experience in growing and engaging online communities across social media platforms (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, etc.). · Strong background in influencer marketing, with the ability to identify, recruit, and nurture brand ambassadors and professional hairstylists. · Experience in event planning and execution, from small community activations to larger brand events. · Understanding of social listening tools, customer insights analysis, and trend forecasting to inform brand strategy. · A passion for relationship-building—whether with customers, influencers, stylists, or brand partners. · Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft engaging content and responses in Wavytalk’s brand voice. · Ability to multitask and manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment. Work Environment & Benefits · Hybrid role, with 4 days per week in Wavytalk’s NYC Flatiron office. · Competitive salary based on experience. · Comprehensive benefits package, including 401k, medical/vision/dental insurance, PTO, and holidays. · Opportunity to shape the future of a fast-growing beauty brand, with the potential to build and scale community-driven initiatives.