What does a Communication Specialist do?
A Communication Specialist is a mediator between a business or organization and the public. The role involves building and maintaining a positive public image and brand reputation for the company through its published content, social media presence and other communications.
Communication Specialist skills and qualifications
A successful Communication Specialist should be skilled in written and spoken communication. They also should have:
- Interpersonal skills and the ability to interact well with the public and media
- A kind and professional demeanor to project a positive image for the company
- Problem-solving skills to handle sensitive issues that might arise surrounding the company’s public image
- Good judgment to know the correct way to word statements and interactions to maintain a positive reputation
- Organizational skills to manage several projects at a time, while successfully coordinating meetings and deadlines
- Speaking skills for speaking on behalf of a company, as well as the ability to maintain key company messaging in all verbal interactions
- Writing skills to write clear, grammatically correct, professional press releases, speeches and content for social media
Communication Specialist experience requirements
Employers hiring Communication Specialists may hire candidates with minimal to no experience, as long as they can demonstrate excellent communication skills. Experience with public-facing roles in high school is a plus, such as participating in the school’s newspaper or being on the school’s news and video production teams. Above all, a Communication Specialist must show professionalism, a friendly demeanor and the desire to communicate effectively and efficiently in both written and spoken communication.
Communication Specialist education and training requirements
Communication Specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree in communications or public relations, although other degrees in business or social sciences could be sufficient. In most interviews, employers will ask for a portfolio of the candidate’s work relating to communications or press release writing. If a candidate has completed internships with marketing or public relations departments, it may be helpful in their job search as a Communication Specialist. Additionally, candidates with demonstrated experience in a high school newspaper or community leadership roles are often preferred.
Communication Specialist salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average yearly salary for a Communication Specialist in the United States is $54,762. However, the salary for this role is dependent on experience, education, location and company.
Job description samples for similar positions
In case this job description doesn’t match your company’s specific needs, these are similar positions that might be of interest:
Communication Specialist job description FAQs
Where does a Communication Specialist work?
Communication Specialists are an integral part of many industries and can be found in public, private and nonprofit sectors. They often work closely with marketing departments to ensure that all company messaging accurately reflects the entity’s goals and mission.
Why is the role of a Communication Specialist important?
Maintaining consistent messaging for a company is vital to its reputation and potential. If a company’s messaging is controversial, confusing or not reflective of the organization’s goals and vision, it can negatively affect leadership and brand identity.
What type of person is best for a Communication Specialist role?
The best candidate for a Communication Specialist position should be able to spend a large amount of time effectively communicating with others. An ideal candidate has above-average written and verbal communication skills and a portfolio that reflects successful past projects.
Who does a Communication Specialist answer to?
A Communication Specialist often answers to the Director of Communication or Public Relations Manager to ensure they meet all of the requirements for the job. In smaller organizations or start-ups, a Communication Specialist might answer directly to the Vice President.
Are Communication Specialists satisfied with their salary?
According to Indeed, an average of 58% of Communication Specialists are happy with their salary.
*Indeed provides this information as a courtesy to users of this site. Please note that we are not your recruiting or legal advisor, we are not responsible for the content of your job descriptions, and none of the information provided herein guarantees performance.