What does a Communications Officer do?
Communications Officers typically work for corporations across industries to ensure that their company upholds its public image. They work closely with company Executives to identify areas to improve their marketing, PR and brand initiatives. Their job is to hire communications professionals, maintain relationships with media personnel, draft press release statements and examine marketing materials before approving the publication of marketing content. They may also be responsible for creating training materials to teach new employees about the company’s brand and mission statement.
Communications Officer skills and qualifications
Since the Communications Officer is in charge of managing and directing a company or organization’s public relations, they have to direct the communication team and get the organization’s message to the public. To do this, the Communications Officer should have the following skills and qualifications:
- Good oral and written communication skills
- Leadership skills
- Decision-making and problem-solving skills
- Good networking skills
- Ability to multitask and prioritize projects
- Attention to detail
- Knowledge of the Associated Press style guide
Communications Officer salary expectations
A Communications Officer makes an average of $47,291 per year. Salary may depend on the candidate’s level of experience, education or geographical location.
Communications Officer education and training requirements
A bachelor’s degree is required for a Communications Officer position. Some employers may require or prefer a master’s degree. Most employers look for degrees in the areas of journalism, communications, English, business or a similar area that helps to develop good communication skills.
Most employers also require 2 to 5 years of media or other communications experience. Many employers look for candidates who have earned one or more professional certifications from professional communication organizations such as the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) or similar professional organizations.
Communications Officer experience requirements
Since the Communications Officer is the person most responsible for crafting and projecting the organization’s public image, most employers seek applicants with experience in the field as well as relevant education and training. Given the importance of an organization’s public image, previous experience working in industries like journalism, public relations or social media is generally required for the Communications Officer position.
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