What does a central communications specialist do?
A central communications specialist is in charge of overseeing the public and media relations of an organization. Although their duties may vary upon their company or industry of employment, it usually involves handling media requests and press releases, developing newsletters and press kits, facilitating communication lines with clients, and coordinating with media partners and advertising agencies. Moreover, in some companies, a central communications specialist may also participate in utilizing social media and other web platform strategies to raise brand awareness and public interest.
Central communications specialist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real central communications specialist resumes:
- Manage, create and edit internal and external communication collateral, providing high-level management copywriting and document creation support.
- Interpret medical abbreviations (SIG codes).
- Follow all HIPPA and other confidentiality laws.
- Dispatch helicopter teams to scene call flights.
- Assist customers to the parking lot with groceries.
- Resolve complex verification problems relate to interactions between all functional areas of the AVN, FAA and its user organizations.
- Instructed/Evaluat aircrew members during in-flight refueling operations.
- Perform in-flight operational check of air refueling systems.
- Dispatch emergent and non emergent ambulances to specific locations.
- Develop PowerPoint presentations to effectively communicate key information to target audiences.
- Maintain messaging and content SharePoint database to ensure regulatory compliance and retain record of project communications.
- Create internal branding/marketing communications materials and utilize intranet communication to promote organizational-wide initiatives.
- Process insurance payments- post the payments to the system, enter data from the EOB, and balance checks receive.
- Appeal and adjudicate claims according to specific state and federal guidelines and regulations, work EOB s for appropriateness of charges/denials.
- Assign vision and dental providers for HMO and POS insurance plans.
Central communications specialist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 28% of Central Communications Specialists are proficient in Customer Service, Data Entry, and Traffic Flow. They’re also known for soft skills such as Interpersonal skills, Problem-solving skills, and Writing skills.
We break down the percentage of Central Communications Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 28%
Assist the department in achieving financial goals by providing coaching to partners and role modeling outstanding customer service skills.
- Data Entry, 23%
Worked with retail stores to ensure customers are helped promptly by eliminating time intensive data entry.
- Traffic Flow, 7%
Ensured appropriate ratios are available based on customer needs and traffic flow to provide minimum throughput expectations.
- Sops, 7%
Perform receipt and triage of incoming cases in line with global legal requirements and SOPs.
- FDA, 6%
Merchandised department to maximize sales* Trained coworkers in safe operations according to OSHA standards* Guaranteed proper food handling according to FDA regulations
- Financial Transactions, 5%
Reviewed, evaluated, analyzed, and approved various financial transactions
Common skills that a central communications specialist uses to do their job include "customer service," "data entry," and "traffic flow." You can find details on the most important central communications specialist responsibilities below.
Interpersonal skills. One of the key soft skills for a central communications specialist to have is interpersonal skills. You can see how this relates to what central communications specialists do because "public relations specialists deal with the public and the media regularly." Additionally, a central communications specialist resume shows how central communications specialists use interpersonal skills: "negotiated and enforced contracts between management and clients; provided a high level of customer service based on outstanding interpersonal skills. "
Problem-solving skills. Many central communications specialist duties rely on problem-solving skills. "public relations specialists sometimes must explain how a company or client is handling sensitive issues," so a central communications specialist will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways central communications specialist responsibilities rely on problem-solving skills: "resolve customer issues and provide positive solutions regarding experiences at store location. "
Writing skills. central communications specialists are also known for writing skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to central communications specialist responsibilities, because "public relations specialists must be able to write well-organized and clear press releases, speeches, and social media posts." A central communications specialist resume example shows how writing skills is used in the workplace: "create brand management, strategic communication counseling researching, writing communications plans, press releases and business objectives. "
Organizational skills. For certain central communications specialist responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "organizational skills." The day-to-day duties of a central communications specialist rely on this skill, as "public relations specialists are often in charge of managing several events or communications at the same time, which requires excellent skills in coordinating arrangements." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what central communications specialists do: "maintained hr employee files with organizational updates. "
Speaking skills. Lastly, "speaking skills" is an important element of what a central communications specialist does. Central communications specialist responsibilities require this skill because "public relations specialists regularly speak on behalf of clients or their organization." This resume example highlights how central communications specialist duties rely on this skill: "managed service partners, maintained department, addressed customer issues, trained new and existing employees. "
See the full list of central communications specialist skills
The three companies that hire the most central communications specialists are:
- Northwestern Mutual3 central communications specialists jobs
- Bank of America1 central communications specialists jobs
- Lendmark Financial1 central communications specialists jobs
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Compare different central communications specialists
Central communications specialist vs. Switchboard operator
Switchboard operators work to assist callers in huge hospitals, hotels, and companies. The operators answer calls and route them to the necessary department or person to address their concerns. They perform clerical and administrative tasks like copying, receiving packages, and filing documents. Among the skills to become a good switchboard operator include attention to details, communication skills, and understanding of troubleshooting systems in communication. They should also have strong communication skills, clear speech and listening skills, and excellent customer service.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, central communications specialist responsibilities require skills like "data entry," "traffic flow," "sops," and "fda." Meanwhile a typical switchboard operator has skills in areas such as "patients," "phone calls," "transferring calls," and "external calls." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Switchboard operators tend to reach similar levels of education than central communications specialists. In fact, switchboard operators are 2.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Central communications specialist vs. Service operator
A service operator is responsible for providing the best customer service by responding to the callers' inquiries and concerns, depending on which business they are employed. Service operators process callers' requests by directing them to specific resources or coordinate with the appropriate person to resolve callers' issues. They also keep an organized record of resolutions for the business reference, as well as for immediate callbacks as needed. A service operator must have excellent knowledge of the industry they are working for, as well as impeccable communication skills to verify and address the callers' needs.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, central communications specialist responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "data entry," "administrative tasks," "traffic flow," and "sops." Meanwhile, a service operator has duties that require skills in areas such as "food handling," "emergency calls," "cdl," and "service calls." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Service operators tend to reach similar levels of education than central communications specialists. In fact, they're 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Central communications specialist vs. Feeder switchboard operator
The primary job of phone operators is to help customers by answering questions, providing information, and transferring calls. They handle special billing requests from customers such as credits or refunds for bad connections or incorrectly dialed numbers and third-party charges. They may also handle emergency calls and aid children or people with disabilities to make phone calls. Other tasks of phone operators include calculating and quoting charges for services, operating telephone switchboards, and monitoring automated systems for collect calls placement.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from central communications specialist resumes include skills like "customer service," "data entry," "administrative tasks," and "traffic flow," whereas a feeder switchboard operator is more likely to list skills in "quality checks," "safety rules," "iso," and "press run. "
Most feeder switchboard operators achieve a similar degree level compared to central communications specialists. For example, they're 4.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Central communications specialist vs. Phone operator
Types of central communications specialist
Updated January 8, 2025
