What does a communications editor do?
Communication editors write and review documents, statements, and articles used in the press releases, publications, and other informational materials in an organization. The editors plan and coordinate the content of materials. They collaborate with management and any other staff in identifying the information to research topics, write and edit documentation, and release. Typically, they are working for a media company, government agency, or corporation. They may also arrange page layouts of photographs, advertising, and articles.
Communications editor responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real communications editor resumes:
- Manage editorial and content for Siemens quarterly executive level do magazine with worldwide distribution.
- Publish content in Facebook & LinkedIn.
- Post on web using WordPress and Facebook.
- Develop relevant content topic for company blog to grow company's SEO standing.
- Utilize SEO tactics effectively to drive relevant web traffic to multiple online properties.
- Help with the hands-on page design and graphics development for intranet news site including daily visual to accompany stories.
- Maintain the company website and update the company intranet site, also plan and execute company events across the network.
- Establish online SharePoint site providing personalize collateral for the account executive's client requirements.
- Analyze FrameMaker source document and provide feedback to XML architects to improve accuracy of conversion.
Communications editor skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Communications Editors are proficient in Web Content, Phone Calls, and Facebook. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Good judgment, and Creativity.
We break down the percentage of Communications Editors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Web Content, 12%
Write and edit marketing materials and web content for Michigan's second largest law firm.
- Phone Calls, 9%
Anticipated and prepared materials needed by management for meetings, correspondence, appointments, telephone calls, etc.
- Facebook, 9%
Maintained college presence throughout social networking outlets including Facebook and Twitter.
- Press Releases, 8%
Composed and distributed online press releases to generate interest in developments.
- Twitter, 7%
Supported the department's social media efforts via the AIZ Community on Twitter.
- Linkedin, 6%
Research and secure notable decision makers on LinkedIn to be a part of the Board.
"web content," "phone calls," and "facebook" are among the most common skills that communications editors use at work. You can find even more communications editor responsibilities below, including:
Detail oriented. The most essential soft skill for a communications editor to carry out their responsibilities is detail oriented. This skill is important for the role because "editors must be meticulous to ensure that material is error free and matches the style of a publication." Additionally, a communications editor resume shows how their duties depend on detail oriented: "reoriented magazine s editorial focus from plant-floor issues to downstream markets with wider reader/advertiser appeal. "
Good judgment. Another essential skill to perform communications editor duties is good judgment. Communications editors responsibilities require that "editors decide whether certain stories are ethical and whether there is enough evidence to publish them." Communications editors also use good judgment in their role according to a real resume snippet: "performed a secondary review for all disputed editorial decisions on client's behalf and made the final judgment on submission compliance. "
Creativity. This is an important skill for communications editors to perform their duties. For an example of how communications editor responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "editors must be imaginative, curious, and knowledgeable in a broad range of topics." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a communications editor: "provide creative direction to graphic designers. ".
Interpersonal skills. communications editor responsibilities often require "interpersonal skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "in working with writers, editors must have tact and the ability to guide and encourage them in their work." This resume example shows what communications editors do with interpersonal skills on a typical day: "attended to online and multimedia content, interpersonal interaction with colleagues, and managed online articles and content. "
Writing skills. Another common skill required for communications editor responsibilities is "writing skills." This skill comes up in the duties of communications editors all the time, as "editors ensure that all written content has correct grammar, punctuation, and syntax." An excerpt from a real communications editor resume shows how this skill is central to what a communications editor does: "content writing: wrote articles for and maintained the company's employee benefits resource center intranet site. "
The three companies that hire the most communications editors are:
- McKinsey & Company Inc5 communications editors jobs
- The City University of New York2 communications editors jobs
- The Walt Disney Company1 communications editors jobs
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Compare different communications editors
Communications editor vs. Writer and editor
Writing is not an easy task, so a Writer and an Editor must work together to deliver quality content. A writer's role is to gather information to create a structured written material that would serve its purpose, whether for recreational or informational. Moreover, it is the Editor's responsibility to oversee and examine what the Writer has produced. From this, the Editor will provide feedback, corrections or suggestions, and guidelines that the Writer can follow to improve the material.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, communications editor responsibilities require skills like "phone calls," "facebook," "proofreading," and "editorial calendar." Meanwhile a typical writer and editor has skills in areas such as "writing articles," "photography," "fiction," and "conduct interviews." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Writer and editors really shine in the internet industry with an average salary of $97,058. Comparatively, communications editors tend to make the most money in the automotive industry with an average salary of $67,540.The education levels that writer and editors earn slightly differ from communications editors. In particular, writer and editors are 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a communications editor. Additionally, they're 1.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Communications editor vs. Editor
An editor is the one responsible for polishing and refining a story, article, and any material for publication in newspapers, magazines, books, or websites. Editors have the power to either accept or reject a material as they need to ensure that every manuscript which will be offered for publishing is at the best version as it can be. There are several types of editors, from copy editors, books to managing editors, but they have few skills in common, like strong writing skills, good judgment, and leadership abilities to help guide the whole editorial team. Most of them work in the office, but it is quite becoming more regular for them to work remotely.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that communications editor responsibilities requires skills like "phone calls," "linkedin," "proofreading," and "editorial calendar." But an editor might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "edit articles," "instagram," "google analytics," and "adobe premiere."
Editors may earn a higher salary than communications editors, but editors earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $62,170. On the other hand, communications editors receive higher pay in the automotive industry, where they earn an average salary of $67,540.editors earn similar levels of education than communications editors in general. They're 2.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for communications editors in the next 3-5 years?
Mike Bromberg
Assistant Professor, East-West University
How we get our information will be more relevant, and new media platforms will continue to change how it is consumed.
I felt it essential to engage students with sources from both liberal and conservative views, especially with the discussion on fake news. For many people, unfortunately, ideology is more important than facts.
Communications editor vs. Assistant editor
An assistant editor is an individual responsible for assisting an editor-in-chief or editor-at-large of a newspaper, magazine, radio program, or website. Assistant editors hold meetings with staff and freelance writers to discuss new, fresh and original content for projects on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. They review assignments handed in by writers or reporters for sense, accuracy, readability, and content. Assistant editors must also utilize new media applications such as Twitter and Facebook to draw attention to an article or cause.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from communications editor resumes include skills like "phone calls," "facebook," "linkedin," and "proofreading," whereas an assistant editor is more likely to list skills in "editorial content," "video footage," "media management," and "production process. "
Assistant editors earn the best pay in the media industry, where they command an average salary of $55,636. Communications editors earn the highest pay from the automotive industry, with an average salary of $67,540.assistant editors typically earn similar educational levels compared to communications editors. Specifically, they're 3.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Communications editor vs. News editor
A News Editor reviews and changes the content of a publication provided by writers and other contributors. They generally work for newspapers, magazines, and websites.
Types of communications editor
Updated January 8, 2025
