In the context of a changing welfare state, a dual professionalization process in social management can be observed: On one hand, the demand for various training and educational opportunities in social work, NPOs, and New Public Management indicates an academic and scientific professionalization. On the other hand, leadership and management in public and private organizations are becoming differentiated through specialized knowledge, competence, responsibility, and tasks. Against the backdrop of the qualitative empirical study "Professional Social Management between Academization and Diaconal Identity," these two poles are examined as perspectives of professionalization in the management of nonprofit organizations. Professional management is an expression, result, and shaping of modern professionalism as well as part of its constitution.