Post job

Chief communications officer vs public relations manager

The differences between chief communications officers and public relations managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a chief communications officer and a public relations manager. Additionally, a chief communications officer has an average salary of $115,086, which is higher than the $91,426 average annual salary of a public relations manager.

The top three skills for a chief communications officer include crisis communications, external communications and CCO. The most important skills for a public relations manager are press releases, web content, and pr campaigns.

Chief communications officer vs public relations manager overview

Chief Communications OfficerPublic Relations Manager
Yearly salary$115,086$91,426
Hourly rate$55.33$43.95
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs80,71135,273
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

What does a chief communications officer do?

A chief communications officer oversees internal relations and researches public employees. Most of the chief communications officers spend a massive amount of time interacting with the chief marketing officers of their organization. They are responsible for management issues and may offer risk management in industries that are prone to hazard, risk, and product failure. They provide wise counsel to the senior team whenever major decisions are debated. They act in many ways as representatives of many publics who are not in the room when these decisions are made. These officers also help the organization translate strategy to action.

What does a public relations manager do?

A public relations manager is responsible for monitoring the public relations department to boost its brand image and attract potential clients through press releases and media coverage. They work closely with the marketing team, developing marketing campaigns and promotional strategies for creating brand awareness. Public relations managers maintain the company's presence on various social media platforms, responding to the customers' inquiries and concerns regarding the company's goods and services. A public relations manager must have excellent communication and leadership skills, especially in identifying business opportunities to increase revenues and profitability.

Chief communications officer vs public relations manager salary

Chief communications officers and public relations managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Chief Communications OfficerPublic Relations Manager
Average salary$115,086$91,426
Salary rangeBetween $63,000 And $208,000Between $64,000 And $128,000
Highest paying City-Las Vegas, NV
Highest paying state-Nevada
Best paying company-Google
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between chief communications officer and public relations manager education

There are a few differences between a chief communications officer and a public relations manager in terms of educational background:

Chief Communications OfficerPublic Relations Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Most common majorCommunicationCommunication
Most common collegeStanford UniversityNorthwestern University

Chief communications officer vs public relations manager demographics

Here are the differences between chief communications officers' and public relations managers' demographics:

Chief Communications OfficerPublic Relations Manager
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 59.5% Female, 40.5%Male, 34.5% Female, 65.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 5.1% White, 74.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 5.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 5.1% White, 74.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between chief communications officer and public relations manager duties and responsibilities

Chief communications officer example responsibilities.

  • Develop editorial content, seek concept and content clearance, and manage editorial calendar for an e-publication research by a subcontractor.
  • Create original content resulting in extensive media coverage and several million views through native Facebook video and YouTube.
  • Serve as representative to senior management team during community events and company spokesperson for division, including to nonprofit sector clients.
  • Direct internal communications tactics including newsletters, Intranet, domestic and international executive meetings, and special events.

Public relations manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage social media - provide content ideas, monitor FB and Instagram activity.
  • Manage events and promotions; create Christmas event, manage twitter account and make marketing plans.
  • Lead a successful rebranding effort to transition the organization into a premier corporate training provider in SoCal.
  • Lead a rebranding and revitalization of the intranet by focusing on improving internal communication, search capabilities, and branding elements.
  • Interview featured alumni, manage copywriting staff and editorial calendar, and coordinate photography.
  • Maintain strong working relationships across all departments to manage successful on-site opportunities, content and multimedia asset development and spokesperson requests.
  • Show more

Chief communications officer vs public relations manager skills

Common chief communications officer skills
  • Crisis Communications, 9%
  • External Communications, 8%
  • CCO, 6%
  • Press Releases, 6%
  • Community Relations, 5%
  • Strategic Communications Plan, 3%
Common public relations manager skills
  • Press Releases, 20%
  • Web Content, 5%
  • Pr Campaigns, 4%
  • Marketing Campaigns, 4%
  • Digital Marketing, 4%
  • Facebook, 3%

Browse executive management jobs