What does a communications specialist do?
A communications specialist takes charge of addressing the public by coming up with various strategic campaigns, newsletters, public correspondence, press releases, and advertisements. Their primary role focuses on promoting, shaping, and enhancing a brand's image through public relations. Furthermore, a communications specialist is responsible for handling any complaints or issues, devising and conducting damage control to resolve bad publicity should there be any. It is also essential for a communications specialist to adhere to the company's policies and regulations at all times.
Communications specialist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real communications specialist resumes:
- Manage all client data and meeting history in Salesforce.
- Provision, manage PRI-ISDN and IP installation of AARP state offices for AARP video systems.
- Manage course syllabi, scientific abstracts, reprints and course development according to all ACCME and FDA guidelines.
- Manage CRM database and develop key communication items such as email blasts, brochures, flyers, and bulletins.
- Manage website: regularly update content, implement SEO and monitor website activity.
- Manage and update written communications on organization's Facebook page and other social media outlets
- Source, build, and maintain blogger, YouTube, and Instagram communities to support influencer marketing initiatives.
- Create NIMAS XML accessibility files.
- Reach respected audience through frequent blogging.
- Work cad system radio and answer phones.
- Radio for multiple counties and run cad system.
- Utilize Hoovers and LinkedIn to identify and qualify prospects.
- Become certify and maintain certifications in NAEMD and CPR with continual training.
- Instruct callers on how to perform CPR until paramedics arrive on scene.
- Format for publication as PDF files for sale to clients and customers.
Communications specialist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Communications Specialists are proficient in Customer Service, PowerPoint, and Patients. They’re also known for soft skills such as Problem-solving skills, Speaking skills, and Writing skills.
We break down the percentage of Communications Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 9%
Created weekly newsletters that captured critical sales information, customer service suggestions and significant company changes such as channel negotiations.
- PowerPoint, 6%
Produced PowerPoint Presentations used at corporate level including an HES presentation that combined presentations from 21 contributors.
- Patients, 6%
Conducted internal and external calls with patients concerning qualification for medical clinical research studies; Set appointments for qualifying patients.
- Web Content, 6%
Managed retail marketing collateral including retail packaging, in-store point of sale brochures/catalogs, direct/digital marketing campaigns and web content.
- Project Management, 6%
Job Responsibilities: Client outreach, acquisition and project management Establishes Project direction and carries design and communication efforts through implementation.
- Press Releases, 5%
Disseminated command information to international, national, and industry media by way of press releases and secure telephone communication.
Common skills that a communications specialist uses to do their job include "customer service," "powerpoint," and "patients." You can find details on the most important communications specialist responsibilities below.
Problem-solving skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a communications specialist to have is problem-solving skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "public relations specialists sometimes must explain how a company or client is handling sensitive issues." Communications specialists often use problem-solving skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "formulated strategies to expedite resolution of emergency and non-emergency situations in an environment where only limited standardization exists. "
Speaking skills. Another essential skill to perform communications specialist duties is speaking skills. Communications specialists responsibilities require that "public relations specialists regularly speak on behalf of clients or their organization." Communications specialists also use speaking skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "work in conjunction with various departments to ensure all specific issues are addressed (legal, hr, it). "
Writing skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of communications specialists is writing skills. This skill is critical to many everyday communications specialist duties, as "public relations specialists must be able to write well-organized and clear press releases, speeches, and social media posts." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "support ranged from overall planning, writing, and editing to management of production and dissemination of hr communications and education. "
Interpersonal skills. communications specialist 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 specialists do with interpersonal skills on a typical day: "edit and post press releases to media websites; handle facebook business posts and updates; handle interpersonal communications. "
Organizational skills. Another common skill required for communications specialist responsibilities is "organizational skills." This skill comes up in the duties of communications specialists all the time, 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." An excerpt from a real communications specialist resume shows how this skill is central to what a communications specialist does: "support to hr departments (hr operations, training, organizational development, labor relations). "
The three companies that hire the most communications specialists are:
- Northeastern University197 communications specialists jobs
- ICF62 communications specialists jobs
- Moss Adams33 communications specialists jobs
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Compare different communications specialists
Communications specialist vs. Publicist
Public Relations Supervisors are responsible for implementing the media and public relations strategy of an organization. Their duties include developing public relations campaigns, organize public relations events, assist in emergency response planning, updating documentation, monitoring media, improve management of press office, and manage media databases. They are responsible for assisting with journalistic content writing, refine internal processes, and track public relations activity performance. They help prepare reports as well as undertake competitor and market research.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a communications specialist are more likely to require skills like "customer service," "patients," "web content," and "project management." On the other hand, a job as a publicist requires skills like "press materials," "public relations campaigns," "photo shoots," and "publicity materials." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Publicists earn the highest salaries when working in the media industry, with an average yearly salary of $52,774. On the other hand, communications specialists are paid more in the technology industry with an average salary of $59,589.The education levels that publicists earn slightly differ from communications specialists. In particular, publicists are 2.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a communications specialist. Additionally, they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Communications specialist vs. Public relations assistant
A public relations assistant is responsible for assisting the development of promotional campaigns based on clients' specifications to boost brand awareness and generate sales for the company. Public relations assistants support the organization's public relations department, such as handling press releases, monitoring social media platforms, scheduling media advertisements, and perform market research to identify close competitors and adjust campaign strategies as needed. They also perform administrative duties, responding to the client's inquiries and concerns, conducting customer surveys, and requesting supplies for marketing campaigns, requiring them to have excellent communication and customer service skills.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, communications specialist responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "customer service," "patients," "project management," and "photoshop." Meanwhile, a public relations assistant has duties that require skills in areas such as "press kits," "collating," "press clippings," and "photo shoots." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, public relations assistants earn a lower salary than communications specialists. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, public relations assistants earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $46,270. Whereas communications specialists have higher pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $59,589.public relations assistants earn similar levels of education than communications specialists in general. They're 3.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for communications specialists 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 specialist vs. Supervisor of communications
The communications supervisor handles all internal and external communications of the company. This supervisor focuses on ensuring all communications are disseminated efficiently throughout the company. The communications supervisor also works on maintaining the image of the company through press releases, correspondence with customers, attractive quotations and witty lines for advertising, and many more. Through the communications supervisor, the company develops its voice to the public and establishes its face in the market.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, communications specialists are more likely to have skills like "customer service," "web content," "project management," and "graphic design." But a supervisor of communications is more likely to have skills like "developmental disabilities," "direct reports," "provides supervision," and "equipment issues."
Supervisors of communications earn the best pay in the manufacturing industry, where they command an average salary of $82,448. Communications specialists earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $59,589.supervisors of communications typically earn similar educational levels compared to communications specialists. Specifically, they're 0.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Communications specialist vs. Public relations associate
A public relations associate is responsible for assisting the operations of the public relations department on developing campaigns and promotions to promote brand image on various digital platforms and other communication mediums. Public relations associates handle press releases, create digital content, organize public events, and identify business opportunities that would generate more revenue resources and attract potential clients. They also disseminate accurate information to the public regarding company news and special announcements. A public relations associate must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially on adhering to deadlines and business requirements.
Types of communications specialist
Updated January 8, 2025
