Communications Manager Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a communications manager. Feel free to use our communications manager job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a communications manager.
Who is a Communications Manager?
A communications manager, also known as a public relations manager or pr manager, is tasked with overseeing the management (planning, implementation, and control) of strategic, goal-oriented communication processes between organizations (companies, associations, governments, NGOs, and so on) and their various stakeholders. Communication managers are in charge of ensuring that a company’s message is consistent and engaging both internally and externally. Their key responsibilities as communications director include creating extensive media reports, press releases, and marketing materials. Through constant message and planning, communications managers aim to propel a brand’s image. They supervise everything from brand material development to internal and external communications and marketing initiatives.
A communications manager’s job is to make sure that businesses and organizations properly communicate information in promotions to new clients, consumers, and even the general public. This individual may also be in charge of sharing critical information within a company or group. Although job responsibilities vary per business, these individuals are often involved in public relations and the development of various communication and promotional techniques. In order to promote the organization’s mission, services, or products, many corporations and organizations rely extensively on public relations efforts. This can be accomplished by a communications manager overseeing the creation of literature, press releases, or articles for publication that clearly address or promote an organization’s concerns or aims. He may be responsible for writing this material personally, or he may lead a team of writers and editors, depending on his organization’s workforce. He must also build a strong network of media contacts who can help disseminate the message of his group.
A communications manager may be called upon to solve communications difficulties within an organization in addition to facilitating communication outside of it. Very large firms, for example, may have trouble coordinating interdepartmental communications or effectively updating employees about industry news, staffing, and policy changes. It will be up to the communications manager to figure out how to communicate this type of critical information to employees in an effective and accurate manner. A good Communications Manager also has a thorough awareness of the organization, its brand, and its business goals. This quality enables them to develop valuable content that promotes their organization to the general public while also assisting internal personnel in understanding workplace policies and procedures.
Communications managers may be asked to collaborate with specific divisions inside a company to help them establish effective communication and public relations strategies. For example, a communications manager may be hired by a charity’s fundraising department to assist in the development of press releases that are then distributed to media outlets that appeal to philanthropists. An education or outreach department, on the other hand, may seek to collaborate with the communications manager to create educational websites or literature that either promotes the organization’s cause or educates the public about a particular area of its mission. While still in school, aspiring communications managers should concentrate on honing their writing and communication skills. Organizations may need a communications manager to have a graduate degree in public relations or communications in specific situations. In many circumstances, a good-quality, structured internship can provide some of the greatest training for a career in communications management. Finally, public relations and communications professionals should work hard to expand their professional networks, as these connections are often critical and important to the success of their public relations efforts.
Communications Manager Job Description
Below are the communications manager job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a communications manager job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of a communications manager include the following:
- Work with the media on a variety of levels and comes up with new ideas to help the organization achieve its goals.
- Prepare and edit a variety of communication materials in order to promote and publicize the company’s policies and products.
- Direct, counsel, and manage other departments’ personnel.
- Guide and encourage interdepartmental workers to communicate successfully in order to meet organizational goals.
- Communicate with the media to help the brand achieve exposure in local, national, and worldwide publications.
- Work with the communications and business development teams to establish promotional strategies.
- Discuss corporate challenges with cross-functional personnel and management, and devise a plan to address them.
- Draft and modify project proposals and presentations, as well as business ideas for company communications.
- Create a variety of materials, such as articles, notices, and web content, to broaden the company’s reach to the general public.
- Assist colleagues with report and draft preparation.
- Outline and implement proposal tactics, criteria, and timelines, among other things.
- Represent the company in print and on the internet.
- Oversee the publication of the company’s newsletters and periodicals.
- Consult with productions to ensure that communications are delivered on time.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the latest industry communication technologies by continuing to improve your qualifications and abilities.
- Keep track of Love’s media and legal coverage and report to senior management on a regular basis.
- Performs research and writing tasks on behalf of management and personnel, as well as generates accurate informational materials.
- Upgrades and reviews the company’s texts and promotional write-ups on a regular basis in various areas of the media, including the web space.
- Schedule interviews and media events, as well as assist in the preparation of reports and the request for permission to use media extracts.
- Manage CEOs and other video projects for employee distribution.
- Organize and participate in meetings to discuss corporate news and plan public relations strategies.
- Ensure that successful marketing and communication activities are implemented.
Qualifications
- 3+ years of prior marketing or communications experience is required.
- Designing and implementing marketing and communications plans and initiatives with a track record of success
- Current with industry developments and ability to stay ahead of the pack
- Excellent project management and organizational abilities, as well as the ability to fulfill deadlines
- Ability to think analytically and strategically is required.
- Capable of functioning both as part of a team and on their own.
- Excellent multitasker with the ability to manage many tasks with varying deadlines at the same time.
- Working with CRM software is a plus
- Superior written and oral communication skills
Essential Skills
These are some essential traits that can make an excellent communications manager:
Communication skills: This refers to great communication skills such as writing, speaking, and active listening. The ability to communicate is a key talent for communications managers in the companies where they operate. That means that communication is critical in today’s business, and as a communicator, you can present a story to both internal and external stakeholders (B2B and B2C). As a communications manager, you can demonstrate how you can assist the organization in marketing its products and services by demonstrating your extensive communication skills.
Creative thinking: A communication manager should be creative and come up with new solutions to promote collaboration between the firm and its stakeholders. These pros can build marketing strategies that attract leads and increase productivity through creative thinking.
Analytic mind: A communications manager with an analytical mind can develop a digital marketing plan that allows for more valuable and timely feedback. A professional with these talents can improve the efficiency of a company’s communication initiatives and produce messages that strengthen customer relationships.
Tech fluency: Use superior-tech abilities to run modern gadgets and software to sell the company’s products and services if you wish to flourish in social networking. Use your computer abilities to build brands and boost their image as a communications manager to help your firm stand out among the competition.
Teamwork: This refers to the capacity to work effectively with people at all levels and across departments. A communications manager must be able to work with people from all throughout the company and be effective. Managers in the communication area can use teamwork to improve the company’s connections and production by teaching it to its employees. To become a team-oriented manager, you should:
Listen to your team members and be receptive to recommendations.
Request comments from your team members and encourage them to share their thoughts.
Identify team deficiencies and provide assistance to employees to help them improve.
Assist employers in achieving the company’s objectives.
Learner for life: Customer trends, best practices, and new technology may be assigned to communications managers. They must be life-long learners in order to succeed as professionals in this sector. That implies they can improve the company’s internal and external communication strategy by learning about new technology, trends, and innovations.
Comprehensive understanding of optimal writing and messaging practices for business correspondence, public relations, advertising, marketing and sales copy, and social media.
Professional crisis management knowledge,
Time management, goal-setting, multitasking, and prioritization are all excellent project management skills.
Data analysis and problem-solving abilities are essential.
Skills in critical thinking
Exceptional organizational skills
Leadership skills, as well as teaching and mentoring
How to Become a Communications Manager
Corporate communication professionals enjoy crafting messages that will entice customers to visit their businesses and conversing with investors. Here’s how to start your career as a communications manager:
- Get a bachelor’s degree first.
A bachelor’s degree is required for any corporate communications manager. Pursuing this degree can aid in the development of interpersonal and communication skills. Digital marketing, branding, media intelligence, writing skills, and data analysis are just a few of the topics covered in this course.
Writing that is effective: Corporate communications professionals deliver the organization’s message through high-quality written content. Other writing skills, as well as knowledge of effective writing styles ranging from AP to Chicago, are required.
Digital marketing: A corporate manager should learn how to use social media, emails, and other digital media platforms to boost the company’s communication. Companies must hire communications managers with these skills if they want to stay relevant and attract new customers.
Media intelligence: Corporate communications managers demand a certain level of media expertise in order to communicate effectively. It’s easier to understand a firm’s shortcomings with intelligence information, and leveraging media can help a company flourish.
Branding: Branding is more than just the items and services that a company sells. They need communication managers who can help them strengthen their brands, voices, messages, aesthetics, and objectives. Managers of the organization might use these skills to attract more clients from the audience.
- Get on-the-job training
After obtaining a bachelor’s degree which is essential in pursuing a communications manager position, the next important step is gaining on-the-job experience/training. You can learn about communications, marketing, social media, and employee relations while on the job.
- To advance your communications manager career, get a master’s degree.
To advance in the communications manager position, a master’s degree might be a valuable addition to on-the-job experience. It strengthens your knowledge of how to use your working abilities and improves your awareness of the communications manager role, including best practices. Topics covered in a master’s program include:
Strategic communication: Strategic communication is critical to the communication manager’s function because it entails utilizing the most up-to-date strategies, technologies, and platforms to develop frameworks that can assist your firm in achieving its objectives. Public relations, marketing, and advertising skills are required for strategic communication.
Emerging media strategy: Navigating social media campaigns, designing site designs, handling growing crises, and composing digital content are all examples of emerging media strategies. This task is completed while the company’s brand, look, and vision are maintained.
Contemporary journalism: Corporate communications managers should be familiar with current journalism in order to develop content that can be shared on social media, websites, and other digital channels. They require skills that will enable them to publish work using current communication tactics, edit work while paying attention to details, gather reliable information, and make correct reports.
Where to work as a Communication Manager
Communications managers operate in a variety of settings, including huge enterprises, government agencies, and small firms in a variety of industries. Communications Managers work for businesses, public relations firms, government agencies, and non-profit organizations to ensure that their employers’ marketing and communication campaigns appropriately reflect their brand. A Communication Manager, in fact, can work in any organization or industry. Because communication is the hallmark of sales and public relations, every institution requires a Communication Manager.
Communications Manager Salary Scale
In the United States, a Communications Manager’s annual total salary is estimated to be $99,226. This figure shows the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges calculated using our proprietary Total Pay Estimate algorithm and salaries submitted by our customers. The annual basic compensation is anticipated to be $80,220. The extra salary is anticipated to be $19,006 per year. Cash bonuses, commissions, tips, and profit-sharing could all be options for further compensation. The “Most Likely Range” represents numbers that fall between the 25th and 75th percentiles of all available salary data for this position.
In Nigeria, Salary ranges for Communications Managers vary greatly depending on a variety of factors, including education, certifications, supplementary skills, professional experience, and even the employer. Communications Managers earn an average annual pay of 1,802,500.00NGN. The starting salary range for a Communications Manager is between 901,000.00NGN and 1,060,000.00NGN while the top salary range is from 3,240,000.00NGN to 5,726,000.00NGN.
