Communications managers correspond with employees and external stakeholders to keep them informed of company developments. They create strategies to increase employee awareness and to promote productivity. Externally, they communicate with the media and other interested parties to announce new products and discuss organizational changes in a way that attempts to maintain a positive image of the company. Communications managers also build and sustain a company's reputation for quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction. They write and deliver press releases and handle all communication sent to the public.

Tasks:

1. Manage company brand and reputation
2. Ensure public views the organization favourably
3. Create and launch press releases and marketing campaigns
4. Contact members of the media to set up interviews with company reps and get company featured on radio, TV, or the Internet
5. Ensure that all opportunities for the CEO are fully vetted
6. Drive corporate strategy and message development, pitch and announcement strategies; develop communication strategies for delivery of corporate culture and business strategy
7. Develop branding initiatives, internal communications and external media relations
8. Determines communications strategy and execute programs to deliver communications objectives throughout the organization
9. Develop internal publications such as newsletters, releases, email announcements, planned publications, on-line, intranet, video, special projects and assignments
10. Hire and train PR assistants and account executives

Key skills for communications manager:

• Strong written and oral abilities
• Leadership skills
• Research and proofreading skills
• Highly motivated, well organized and detail-oriented
• Creative and innovative
• Able to multi-task and prioritize

Average salary (2013):

The United Kingdom: £33,265 per year
The United States of America: $57,114 per year
Australia: AU$81,072 per year

Qualifications and training required:

The majority of entry-level job in communications require a bachelor's degree in Commerce, Marketing, Advertising, Communication, Public Relations, or any related field. To advance into the position of communications manager, experience is required and a master's degree may be preferred. A degree major in communications, public relations or marketing may prepare students for the job. Coursework may include oral, written, mass and interpersonal communications, as well as language, psychology and media studies.