Some communications executives create byline articles to place in industry and trade magazines.
Within the field of marketing, professionals can choose from a wide range of specialties. One such area is corporate communications. Communication directors and executives focus on delivering creative and effective messaging to their department's target audience. Some of the communications tools that executives use to publicize their company's brand and drive sales revenue include public relations, marketing publications and Internet blogs.
Function
Communications executives are responsible for developing and executing public relations (PR), media relations and corporate communications activities. The vice president of corporate communications or communications director is responsible for creating a PR plan, supervising the creation of electronic messages and print brochures that promote the company's brand and products and meeting with top management and other key stakeholders to plan marketing programs that meet the organization's business objectives. Some communications executives are also responsible for managing internal communications activities and company announcements around business reorganizations, human resources (HR) programs, training classes and corporate events. Internal communications professionals schedule and coordinate executive meetings, write scripts, select speakers and coordinate with various departments to set up conference room space and audio visual needs.
Education
Communications executives typically have a college education in communications studies, public relations, marketing, liberal arts, English, journalism or a related major. Some employers prefer communications professionals with a master's degree. Coursework that prepares students for a communications career include advertising, psychology, sociology, business administration, political science, finance and creative writing.
Skills
Employers seek candidates who possess at least 10 years of experience working in the communications field and leadership roles. Communications executives possess excellent listening, presentation, writing, oral and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to create marketing and communications plans. Candidates should be familiar with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint and have strong problem-solving and negotiation skills. Other qualifications that companies seek in communications executives include project management and web content management abilities.
Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2008 salary report, the median salary for public relations managers was $89,430; hwever, salaries vary greatly based on years of experience, job title, employer and geographic location. For example, Salary.com reports that the average salary for a communications director in the United States was $127,967 as of November 2009.
Potential
The BLS forecasts that the number of jobs for public relations managers will increase 13 percent during the 2008 and 2018 decade. Demand for public relations managers will be driven by nonprofit organizations seeking to build their public image and expand their influence in the community. Other industries where growth is expected in public relations include education, business and professional associations and health care.
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