What does a communications consultant do?
Communications consultants are responsible for preparing media releases, whether through print, video, or email. They perform varied tasks that may include working on complete projects such as media analysis and branding, creating strategies to reinforced communication among clients and employees, and providing guidance and recommendations to a company's public relations team. Communications consultants may also conduct training on best practices for other employees. Some employers prefer someone with a bachelor's degree in communications, public relations or journalism, previous work experience in a related field, and excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Communications consultant responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real communications consultant resumes:
- Plan and manage and produce online marketing activities and campaigns (B2B and B2C).
- Manage content, database selection, HTML presentation and quality assurance of all outbound email campaigns.
- Advise and/or manage on content, navigation architecture, SEO, social media, YouTube, email campaigns.
- Manage editorial and content for Siemens quarterly executive level do magazine with worldwide distribution.
- Gather requirements, provide justification and value-ad capabilities for SharePoint implementation, and lead the change management team.
- Create PowerPoint decks, organization charts, Vision/Strategy/Execution slides, updates to intranet websites and collaboration sites.
- Spearhead major initiative to upgrade SharePoint intranet to include collaboration features, creating FBHS's only cross-company collaboration tool.
- Execute marketing communications tactics relate to healthcare reform and government/regulatory issues across the enterprise to internal and external audiences.
- General editing, proofreading and copywriting as needed.
- Update the newsletter to a printable and HTML responsive PDF for fast event registration.
- Devise and implement strategic marketing plans (for retail, B2B and B2C companies).
- Spearhead rebranding initiative to refresh program's look and feel in preparation for a global launch.
- Ensure content on JIEDDO and JUONS websites as current and comply with DoD security policy and guidelines.
- Provide training for social media posting, reading metrics, twitter for business, use of hashtags, market segmentation.
- Prioritize executive communications activities with keen focus on ROI & positioning.
Communications consultant skills and personality traits
We calculated that 10% of Communications Consultants are proficient in PowerPoint, Web Content, and Project Management. They’re also known for soft skills such as Organizational skills, Problem-solving skills, and Speaking skills.
We break down the percentage of Communications Consultants that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- PowerPoint, 10%
Created PowerPoint decks, organization charts, Vision/Strategy/Execution slides, updates to intranet websites and collaboration sites.
- Web Content, 9%
Maintained a customer-service priority in leading strategic communications, Web content production, and media relations for the Public Transportation Division.
- Project Management, 8%
Managed internal communications and project management associated with the overall growth strategy inclusive of Alliances and Partners Business Development team.
- Press Releases, 5%
Developed promotional literature and messages, maintained website content, wrote press releases and created procedures manual information.
- Strategic Communications Plan, 5%
Specialize in strategic communications planning with particular emphasis on development communications for academic institutions and marketing communications for corporations.
- External Communications, 4%
Developed and managed internal and external communications, marketing and public outreach for Denver's Porter Hospital.
Common skills that a communications consultant uses to do their job include "powerpoint," "web content," and "project management." You can find details on the most important communications consultant responsibilities below.
Organizational skills. One of the key soft skills for a communications consultant to have is organizational skills. You can see how this relates to what communications consultants do because "public relations specialists are often in charge of managing several events or communications at the same time, which requires excellent skills in coordinating arrangements." Additionally, a communications consultant resume shows how communications consultants use organizational skills: "developed website content and collateral material for organizational development and hr consulting companies. "
Problem-solving skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling communications consultant duties is problem-solving skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "public relations specialists sometimes must explain how a company or client is handling sensitive issues." According to a communications consultant resume, here's how communications consultants can utilize problem-solving skills in their job responsibilities: "provided short-term oversight of operational performance and effectiveness solutions, driving proactive instead of reactive decision-making for content development and publication. "
Speaking skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of communications consultants is speaking skills. This skill is critical to many everyday communications consultant duties, as "public relations specialists regularly speak on behalf of clients or their organization." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "manage press releases, pitch client stories to press outlets; identify client speaking opportunities; draft speeches/remarks/op-eds. "
Interpersonal skills. communications consultant responsibilities often require "interpersonal skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "public relations specialists deal with the public and the media regularly." This resume example shows what communications consultants do with interpersonal skills on a typical day: "distinguished interpersonal wrote and edited reports, press releases, and other important documents with and customer service skills. "
Writing skills. Another crucial skill for a communications consultant to carry out their responsibilities is "writing skills." A big part of what communications consultants relies on this skill, since "public relations specialists must be able to write well-organized and clear press releases, speeches, and social media posts." How this skill relates to communications consultant duties can be seen in an example from a communications consultant resume snippet: "exhibited excellent writing and editing ability, content development skills and superior editorial calendar development aptitude. "
The three companies that hire the most communications consultants are:
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Compare different communications consultants
Communications consultant vs. Public affairs specialist
Psychology research assistants take charge of the operational and administrative tasks like mailing surveys, summarizing results, and managing correspondence. The research assistants identify the areas in need of improvement and score psychological tests. They prepare the interview questions and summarize test results. Their job involves responding to research-related emails and take part in project meetings. Also, they update the content of websites and prepare reports of their progress. The skills they need in carrying out this job include communication, critical thinking, attention to detail, and technical skills.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between communications consultants and public affairs specialist. For instance, communications consultant responsibilities require skills such as "project management," "strategic communications plan," "corporate communications," and "communications materials." Whereas a public affairs specialist is skilled in "news stories," "veterans," "conduct interviews," and "news articles." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Public affairs specialists earn the highest salaries when working in the government industry, with an average yearly salary of $76,898. On the other hand, communications consultants are paid more in the utilities industry with an average salary of $102,010.public affairs specialists tend to reach similar levels of education than communications consultants. In fact, public affairs specialists are 0.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.5% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Communications consultant vs. Media relations specialist
A media relations specialist's role is to help a company maintain good public relations through various forms of media, ensuring to convey their brand's purpose and message. Their responsibilities typically revolve around developing strategies and opportunities, producing newsletters and press releases, remaining updated with the latest trends, and even managing the company's social media platforms. A media relations specialist may also delegate tasks to writers and graphic designers, arrange schedules, and ensure that all goals are met within the expected deadline and budget.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real communications consultant resumes. While communications consultant responsibilities can utilize skills like "web content," "project management," "strategic communications plan," and "external audiences," media relations specialists use skills like "patients," "compassion," "excellent interpersonal," and "data entry."
Media relations specialists earn a lower average salary than communications consultants. But media relations specialists earn the highest pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $65,925. Additionally, communications consultants earn the highest salaries in the utilities with average pay of $102,010 annually.media relations specialists earn lower levels of education than communications consultants in general. They're 6.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Communications consultant vs. Public relations
Public relations is a strategic way of developing and maintaining a client's or company's public image through media coverage, appearances, and press releases by designing and developing events to raise funds or to spread awareness to the public regarding products, brands, or individuals. It involves research and evaluation of programs including financial, marketing, employee, or government relations using topics of public interest and news items. Due to our present technological innovations, public relations now use webinars, blogs, and downloadable resources under one convenient website.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a communications consultant is likely to be skilled in "project management," "strategic communications plan," "external audiences," and "corporate communications," while a typical public relations is skilled in "photography," "public speaking," "writing press releases," and "photo shoots."
Public relations earn the highest salary when working in the professional industry, where they receive an average salary of $56,027. Comparatively, communications consultants have the highest earning potential in the utilities industry, with an average salary of $102,010.Most public relations achieve a lower degree level compared to communications consultants. For example, they're 7.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Communications consultant vs. Public relations specialist
A public relations specialist is an individual who creates and maintains a favorable public image of an organization by crafting media releases and developing social media programs. Public relations specialists must help their clients communicate effectively with the public as well as evaluate the public opinion of their clients through social media. They need to draft their press releases and contact people in the media who might want to broadcast their materials. Public relations specialists are also required to draft speeches and arrange interviews for the top executives of their organization.
Types of communications consultant
Updated January 8, 2025
