communications manager job description

Some of the daily duties of a communications manager include: rapid response to breaking news: as a communications manager, you add your opinion to breaking news to promote your employer. You add unique angles and spark conversations about a company's strategic steps or progress. Providing an opinion increases the exposure of the information, and you can reach a larger audience. writing press releases and content: you use your storytelling skills to inform the public about recent developments by your employer. When a company needs to communicate with the public, you draft press releases to be shared with the media and create social media posts. You develop a communication strategy and content suitable for the media. For instance, blog posts can be more in-depth than social media posts. protecting and defending a company's reputation: when your employer faces a publicity crisis, you protect and defend their reputation. You develop a crisis management plan for handling negative press. Crisis management involves attending interviews and responding to social media comments. You also release statements on behalf of your employer clarifying their position. developing public relations (PR) strategies: as a communications manager, you constantly review your employer's PR strategy to ensure a healthy brand reputation. Your PR strategy integrates communication goals and maintains good publicity. It also provides steps and detailed plans for crisis

As a communications manager, you work in an office environment, drafting press releases and responding to social media comments. Sometimes, your job involves public and TV appearances when issuing press statements or attending interviews. You also travel with your employer to ensure their public addresses are seamless. Remote working opportunities are available, but they are rare.

who are your colleagues?

Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include social media managers, relationship managers and public relations officers. You might also be working in close proximity to marketing managers and brand managers , as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, operations managers , marketing coordinators and business development managers .

As a communications manager, you work 40 hours weekly in full-time roles. The work hours can extend to evenings or weekends when planning or hosting corporate events. You also attend dinners with clients and business partners to foster good relationships. Part-time roles are rare, but short-term contracts are available.

As a communications manager, you start in an entry-level role, such as a PR officer, to build your skills and gain experience. You can join the role from a marketing or customer service position. You have great opportunities for career progression, including becoming a communications manager or director. Some communications managers become consultants after gaining years of experience in the role.

advantages of finding a communications manager job through randstad

Finding your communications manager job through Randstad provides important advantages such as: a wide variety of training and development opportunities an experienced contact person to provide help if needed a range of opportunities in your area get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job temporary and permanent contracts Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a communications manager is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Thousands of people earn a permanent contract every year with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.

what are the responsibilities of a communications manager?

As a communications manager, you are in charge of communications between the company and the public. You write content for print and online media channels. You also prepare press releases, whitepapers and bylined articles to improve the company's interactions with customers. Communications managers also manage internal communication and ensure employees are informed of the happenings in the company.

how much does a communications manager earn in Australia?

As a communications manager, you take home an average remuneration package of $120,000 per year. With entry-level experience, the earnings are slightly lower at $110,000 yearly. When you improve your experience, your remuneration package increases to over $130,000 annually. The earnings depend on various factors, including location, experience and the company size.

what qualifications do you need to be a communications manager?

The minimum requirement for becoming a communications manager is a bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as journalism, communications or marketing. Most employers expect you to have a master's degree and extensive experience in communications and PR roles.

what is the difference between marketing and communications managers?

As a marketing manager, you reach out to people with the intention of selling the company’s products or services. A communications manager focuses on informing the audience of various activities and milestones of the company. Your job is to handle negative press and ensure effective internal communications.

Is a PR manager the same as a communications manager?

Yes. A public relations manager performs the same duties as a communications manager. Some companies use the title of PR manager instead of communications manager.

how do I apply for a communications manager vacancy?

Applying for a communications manager job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here .

Working as a communications manager

what is a communications manager?

As a communications manager, you develop and maintain a favourable public image for your employer. You handle a company's communication with its stakeholders and the general public. That means you write press releases for the media and prepare social media posts. When you work in government offices, you inform the public about the government department's activities and the public's benefits.

When you are a communications manager, it is important to understand the attitudes and concerns of your customers or audience to maintain a good relationship with them. For instance, you maintain good relationships with journalists and company partners. These relationships help you pass information to the public more quickly and effectively. When you draft a press release, your contacts in the media help you circulate the information by printing it in their newspapers or posting it online.

As a communications manager, you also host corporate events that foster your company’s brand image. Social events improve public recognition of the company. A major part of your job is clarifying issues about your employer. You clarify the company's position by attending interviews and writing press releases, especially if there's negative press.

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average communications manager salary

Communications managers earn an average remuneration package of $120,000 per year. You start as an assistant communications manager and are likely to earn below $110,000 annually while gaining experience. With additional experience and qualifications, your salary increases gradually. Senior communications managers take home over $130,000 yearly.

what factors affect the salary of a communications manager?

The remuneration package of a communications manager depends on experience and qualifications. After being in the industry for over ten years, you can negotiate a higher salary that reflects your skills and competencies.

The company you work for also influences your earnings. For instance, working in the public sector attracts a lower salary than in the private sector. Some industries pay communications managers top dollar since they are prone to negative publicity that requires expert services. For instance, pharmaceutical, manufacturing and mining companies rely on the expertise of communication managers to curb negative press that affects their operations.

The location also influences your remuneration package. Communication managers working in metro areas earn more due to the high demand. Large companies are based in metro areas, increasing the demand for communication managers.

Want to know what you will earn as a communications manager? Check out what you are worth with our salary checker.

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types of communications managers

Communications managers have numerous areas of specialisation and expertise. As a communications manager in charge of media relations, you focus on building relationships with broadcasters, reporters and bloggers to improve your brand's media coverage. Having a good relationship with the media helps secure free media coverage. A media relations specialist also studies news trends and finds ways to exploit them to improve the popularity of their brand.

As a community relations specialist, you specialise in building your company's reputation and relationship with the local community. When you have a healthy relationship with local people, getting their support on various projects and improving corporate social responsibility is easier.

As a crisis communications specialist, you specialise in disasters and crises that could affect a company's reputation. For instance, you deal with issues related to faulty product recalls or negative social media content about an employee.

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working as a communications manager

Working as a communications manager involves informing the public about new products and services that the company provides. You also handle negative press and manage the reputation of the company. Here are the daily activities and work environments of communication managers:

communications manager job description
Some of the daily duties of a communications manager include:
- rapid response to breaking news: as a communications manager, you add your opinion to breaking news to promote your employer. You add unique angles and spark conversations about a company's strategic steps or progress. Providing an opinion increases the exposure of the information, and you can reach a larger audience.
- writing press releases and content: you use your storytelling skills to inform the public about recent developments by your employer. When a company needs to communicate with the public, you draft press releases to be shared with the media and create social media posts. You develop a communication strategy and content suitable for the media. For instance, blog posts can be more in-depth than social media posts.
- protecting and defending a company's reputation: when your employer faces a publicity crisis, you protect and defend their reputation. You develop a crisis management plan for handling negative press. Crisis management involves attending interviews and responding to social media comments. You also release statements on behalf of your employer clarifying their position.
- developing public relations (PR) strategies: as a communications manager, you constantly review your employer's PR strategy to ensure a healthy brand reputation. Your PR strategy integrates communication goals and maintains good publicity. It also provides steps and detailed plans for crisis
work environment

As a communications manager, you work in an office environment, drafting press releases and responding to social media comments. Sometimes, your job involves public and TV appearances when issuing press statements or attending interviews. You also travel with your employer to ensure their public addresses are seamless. Remote working opportunities are available, but they are rare.
who are your colleagues?

Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include social media managers, relationship managers and public relations officers. You might also be working in close proximity to marketing managers and brand managers, as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, operations managers, marketing coordinators and business development managers.
work schedule

As a communications manager, you work 40 hours weekly in full-time roles. The work hours can extend to evenings or weekends when planning or hosting corporate events. You also attend dinners with clients and business partners to foster good relationships. Part-time roles are rare, but short-term contracts are available.
job outlook

As a communications manager, you start in an entry-level role, such as a PR officer, to build your skills and gain experience. You can join the role from a marketing or customer service position. You have great opportunities for career progression, including becoming a communications manager or director. Some communications managers become consultants after gaining years of experience in the role.
advantages of finding a communications manager job through randstad
Finding your communications manager job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a communications manager is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Thousands of people earn a permanent contract every year with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.

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education and skills

You require tertiary qualifications and extensive experience to become a communications manager. The first step is to complete a degree in marketing, communications or journalism. These courses help you learn the basics of communications and managing PR. Since a communications manager is a senior-level position, most employers require additional qualifications. Pursue a master of communication or journalism. Alternatively, you can specialise with a master of digital communication.

To become a communications manager, you require extensive experience. Consider entry-level roles in communications, like becoming a PR or communications officer, to gain experience in public relations and marketing. Experience in leadership roles may also be relevant for the role. Consider certifications from the Australian Marketing Institute to showcase your skills. You should also complete a professional certification, like Certified Practising Marketer (CPM).

communications manager skills and competencies

As a communications manager, you require the following skills and qualities:

timing and news awareness: as a communications manager, great timing is crucial to align your company statements with trending topics. Timing and news awareness help you forecast your employer's communication needs to create a long-term PR plan. News awareness helps you stay on trend and create market-relevant PR content.
relationship-building skills: media professionals are always looking for newsworthy and credible stories. With so many news sources, an engaging and important story may not make the news if you don't have a good relationship with journalists. It is vital to establish good relationships with journalists and other industry professionals.
creative writing skills: as a communications manager, you are expected to write creative stories that communicate value and engage your clients. Creative writing skills help you master the art of storytelling and use it to build a rapport with the audience.
complex problem-solving skills: as a communications manager, you require problem-solving skills to analyse ideas and use logic to determine the best solutions to PR nightmares. Your problem-solving ability helps you notice when something is wrong and identify the nature of the problem.

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FAQs about working as a communications manager

Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of a communications manager.

what are the responsibilities of a communications manager?

As a communications manager, you are in charge of communications between the company and the public. You write content for print and online media channels. You also prepare press releases, whitepapers and bylined articles to improve the company's interactions with customers. Communications managers also manage internal communication and ensure employees are informed of the happenings in the company.
how much does a communications manager earn in Australia?

As a communications manager, you take home an average remuneration package of $120,000 per year. With entry-level experience, the earnings are slightly lower at $110,000 yearly. When you improve your experience, your remuneration package increases to over $130,000 annually. The earnings depend on various factors, including location, experience and the company size.
what qualifications do you need to be a communications manager?

The minimum requirement for becoming a communications manager is a bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as journalism, communications or marketing. Most employers expect you to have a master's degree and extensive experience in communications and PR roles.
what is the difference between marketing and communications managers?

As a marketing manager, you reach out to people with the intention of selling the company’s products or services. A communications manager focuses on informing the audience of various activities and milestones of the company. Your job is to handle negative press and ensure effective internal communications.
Is a PR manager the same as a communications manager?

Yes. A public relations manager performs the same duties as a communications manager. Some companies use the title of PR manager instead of communications manager.
how do I apply for a communications manager vacancy?

Applying for a communications manager job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.

communications manager.