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Communications Manager job description template

If you are hiring for this role, start here. This free template is our detailed definition of the position, with everything you need to find and hire the right person. Copy it, add your own requirements, and post it.

Free job description below
Median pay
$68,590per year, about $33 an hour
Range$25,000 to $110,500 a year
Hourly$13 to $53 an hour
Also calledCommunications Director, Communications Coordinator, PR Manager
DepartmentMarketing and Communications
The role

What is a Communications Manager?

Communications Manager is a mid-level managerial role in companies and organizations.

Communications Managers establish and implement communications programs and strategies to build and promote the company’s public image and raise brand awareness.

They are responsible for monitoring internal and external communications in the workplace, promoting the company’s products and services through effective and engaging campaigns and events, monitoring media coverage, and liaising with the press, media, and influential individuals.

What to screen for

The top Communications Manager skills.

Five things separate a strong hire from a résumé that reads well. Use these as your scorecard criteria.

SkillWhy it matters
CommunicationAs their title speaks for itself, Communications Managers must be amazing and confident communicators. Communication allows them to be good leaders, convey important messages and ideas, and interact with many different individuals and departments on various levels. Through first-rate communication, Communications Managers build and maintain strong relationships with both customers and other parties.
LeadershipLeadership skills are essential for Communications Managers because they are mainly responsible for managing, coordinating, and motivating their team. Communications Managers also take charge of projects that require leadership. Leaders create a stimulating working environment and help their team grow professionally.
Public RelationsLeadership skills are essential for Communications Managers because they are mainly responsible for managing, coordinating, and motivating their team. Communications Managers also take charge of projects that require leadership. Leaders create a stimulating working environment and help their team grow professionally.
MarketingCommunications Managers with effective marketing skills are able to achieve significant success. Their marketing skills and knowledge involve the ability to create an appealing message that will attract the targeted audience and encourage them to purchase products or use services.
Strategic MindCommunications Managers must be great strategic thinkers and come up with productive and effective ideas and plans. Strategic thinking helps them observe the company’s actions and implement changes if necessary. This skill also allows them to think about the outcomes of different campaigns or strategies and their impact on the company.
Free template

The job description, ready to post.

Copy it as written, or edit it until it sounds like your company. Both work.

Communications ManagerMarketing and Communications · Free to use and edit

Our company is looking for an experienced Communications Manager to lead our communications team. In this position, you will be responsible for monitoring and coordinating internal and external communications to ensure a clear and consistent brand message. Additionally, you will create, develop, and implement communications and marketing strategies to build customer relationships, brand awareness, and public image. You will also create attractive and engaging press releases, social media content, newsletters, and other marketing materials.

As a successful Communications Manager, your goal will be to determine the effectiveness of communications campaigns and strategies and identify areas of improvement to increase sales, promote products and services, and maintain media presence and public recognition. In the end, you will identify and resolve communication-related issues and train and motivate communications staff.

In summary, an ideal candidate for this position must have extraordinary communication, marketing, leadership, strategic thinking, and public relations skills.

Duties and responsibilities

  • Monitor internal and external communications in the workplace, ensuring a clear and consistent message
  • Create, develop, and implement effective communications strategies to build customer relationships, brand awareness, and public image
  • Review and evaluate marketing and communications campaigns to determine their effectiveness
  • Brainstorm and develop new products and services based on customers’ reactions and feedback
  • Establish and implement public relations strategies to build brand awareness, increase sales, and promote products or services
  • Review media coverage to identify any negative marketing
  • Organize and coordinate meetings, promotions, conferences, and other events
  • Create attractive and engaging press releases, newsletters, and other marketing materials
  • Prepare and maintain accurate media activity reports
  • Collaborate with the marketing department to generate new marketing strategies and ideas
  • Address and resolve communication-related issues
  • Lead, train, and supervise the communications staff

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, marketing, journalism or a related field
  • Master’s degree preferred
  • Minimum 5 years prior working experience in similar marketing or communications roles
  • Experience in developing and executing marketing and communications strategies and campaigns
  • Project management experience
  • Extraordinary communication and public speaking
  • Ability to collaborate with various departments, press, and media
  • Leadership abilities
  • Strategic mind
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Education

What education this role needs.

In general, Communications Managers have at least a Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, or advertising.

Some candidates also obtain a Master’s degree in some of these fields.

These degrees train and prepare candidates in terms of business communication, writing, speaking, media, and other subjects.

Communications Managers typically need previous working experience in industries like advertising, marketing, or public relations to gain the necessary experience and knowledge needed for this managerial position.

After the applications land

Sample interview questions for a Communications Manager.

Once you have gathered the applications, work through these in order. Twelve questions across four areas, enough to tell your shortlist apart.

Personal
  • Can you tell us more about yourself?
  • Who is your role model?
  • Have you always wanted to pursue a Communications Manager career path?
Human Resources
  • How do you think your college degree prepared you for this position?
  • What skills or qualifications distinguish you from other applicants?
  • Do you have questions for us about this job opening?
Management
  • Can you briefly describe your managerial style?
  • How do you handle crises and work under pressure?
  • What is the first thing you would teach a new team member in your department?
Technical Skills and Knowledge
  • How do you think social media can effectively promote a brand image?
  • How would you deal with negative media comments?
  • What aspects do you consider when you first start developing a communications strategy?
Pay

How much to pay when hiring.

Annual pay by percentile. Where you land depends on the size of the cycle they will own, and the 25th percentile is usually where a first analyst hire sits.

10th percentile$25,000
25th percentile$48,500
Median$68,590
75th percentile$79,500
90th percentile$110,500

Hourly equivalents run from $13 at the 10th percentile to $53 at the 90th.

Related job titles

Candidates may apply under a different name.

Post the title your industry uses and keep the rest of the description. These three roles overlap enough that the same posting usually reaches all of them.

Same work, different title

Three titles, one description.

Search behavior varies by industry, so the same job is advertised under several names. If you are unsure which one your candidates search for, run two titles and see which fills.

Communications Coordinator

A Communications Coordinator is a professional responsible for managing and facilitating an organization’s internal and external communications.

$58,565 median

PR Manager

Questions

Frequently asked questions.

What is a Communications Manager?

Communications Managers are professionals responsible for developing and implementing communications strategies to build customer relationships, brand awareness, and public image.

They monitor internal and external communications in the workplace, evaluate and improve marketing and communications strategies and campaigns, and maintain a positive and engaging media presence.

Where do Communications Managers work?

Communications Managers typically work in marketing and advertising companies, corporate offices, small businesses, public relations firms, and government agencies.

Who do Communications Managers report to?

Communications Managers usually report to Communications Directors or Directors of Communication in their workplace.

What skills do Communications Managers have?

Successful Communications Managers must have outstanding communication, public speaking, leadership, marketing, strategic thinking, and public relations skills.

More in finance

Other job description templates.

Same format, same free, same median pay data. Browse the full library if the role you are hiring for is not here.

Communications Coordinator

A Communications Coordinator is a professional responsible for managing and facilitating an organization’s internal and external communications.

$58,565 median

Communications Officer

A variety of businesses and companies need a Communications Officer who will effectively spread their image and message to the public.

$56,483 median

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