What does a director, corporate communications do?
Corporate communications directors are responsible for supervising all official communications for their organization, including emails, press releases, responses to media inquiries, and through other formats. As top-level managers, they oversee middle managers and work with a communications staff, ensuring that all communications deliver a consistent message that is equivalent to the corporate philosophy and branding. Their duties include analyzing communications strategies and policies to examine their effectiveness. Also, they set up and implement communications policies and determine official formatting for documents. Additionally, they collaborate with different departments to ascertain communications' needs and develop plans to resolve those needs.
Director, corporate communications responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real director, corporate communications resumes:
- Tie CRM to marketing to manage ROI.
- Programme and manage Immanuel s website, YouTube and social media pages.
- Lead advertising programs in the Americas, Europe, and Asia/Pacific regions.
- Manage SEO as well as all external customer-facing communications.
- Manage execution of all marketing programs for the Americas including coordinating a global cast of contractors and internal marketing specialists.
- Maintain strong working relationships across all departments to manage successful on-site opportunities, content and multimedia asset development and spokesperson requests.
- Create and present PowerPoint shows for client public forums.
- Spearhead the firm's first venture into social media by establishing and administering a Facebook page.
- Sponsor and lead architect of customize cloud-based CRM enable for sales, operations and support personnel.
- Request by CEO to create PowerPoint presentation showcasing company's history and produce five-minute corporate commercial.
- Maintain strong working relationships across all departments to manage successful on-site opportunities, content and multimedia asset development and spokesperson requests.
- Supervise the creation of numerous mini-sites and product sites, including copywriting and design of online purchase process.
- Perform as an individual contributor on simultaneous technical/promotional copywriting and editing projects.
Director, corporate communications skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Directors, Corporate Communications are proficient in Corporate Communications, External Communications, and Press Releases. They’re also known for soft skills such as Leadership skills, Problem-solving skills, and Speaking skills.
We break down the percentage of Directors, Corporate Communications that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Corporate Communications, 9%
Managed corporate communications staff responsible for company-wide publications, media productions, media relations, and Internet Strategy and website development.
- External Communications, 7%
Provided internal consulting services regarding internal and external communications to the chief executive officers and administrative teams at the individual hospitals.
- Press Releases, 7%
Directed media relations activities including development of press releases, articles, interviews and executive interaction.
- Strategic Communications, 6%
Developed and executed global Corporate Social Responsibility strategic communications plans to build and enhance the company's reputation among key stakeholders.
- Crisis Communications, 5%
Provided executive counsel and communications leadership in successfully managing crisis situations and also developed the company's first crisis communications plan.
- Employee Engagement, 3%
Increased employee engagement by teaming with HR and executive leaders to develop and execute informative and engaging employee communications strategies.
"corporate communications," "external communications," and "press releases" are among the most common skills that directors, corporate communications use at work. You can find even more director, corporate communications responsibilities below, including:
Leadership skills. One of the key soft skills for a director, corporate communications to have is leadership skills. You can see how this relates to what directors, corporate communications do because "public relations and fundraising managers often lead large teams of specialists or fundraisers and must be able to guide their activities." Additionally, a director, corporate communications resume shows how directors, corporate communications use leadership skills: "increased confidence in leadership and company direction by writing compelling remarks for internal and external audiences. "
Problem-solving skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling director, corporate communications duties is problem-solving skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "managers sometimes must explain how the company or client is handling sensitive issues." According to a director, corporate communications resume, here's how directors, corporate communications can utilize problem-solving skills in their job responsibilities: "led crisis communications team efforts, mitigating several major crises and resolution of a 13-year corporate issue. "
Speaking skills. directors, corporate communications are also known for speaking skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to director, corporate communications responsibilities, because "public relations and fundraising managers regularly speak on behalf of their organization." A director, corporate communications resume example shows how speaking skills is used in the workplace: "served as investor relations contact and company spokesperson"
Writing skills. For certain director, corporate communications responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "writing skills." The day-to-day duties of a director, corporate communications rely on this skill, as "managers must be able to write well-organized and clear press releases and speeches." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what directors, corporate communications do: "acted as investor relations contact, writing annual and quarterly shareholder reports, news releases and corporate fact sheets. "
Communication skills. A commonly-found skill in director, corporate communications job descriptions, "communication skills" is essential to what directors, corporate communications do. Director, corporate communications responsibilities rely on this skill because "managers deal with the public regularly; therefore, they must be friendly enough to build a rapport with, and receive cooperation from, their media contacts and donors." You can also see how director, corporate communications duties rely on communication skills in this resume example: "worked with ceo and cmo on communications initiatives, including quarterly earnings and executive events such as co-ceo press conferences. "
Organizational skills. While "organizational skills" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to director, corporate communications responsibilities. Much of what a director, corporate communications does relies on this skill, seeing as "public relations and fundraising managers are often in charge of running several events at the same time, requiring superior organizational skills." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of directors, corporate communications: "supported organizational integration, brand development, reorganization, investor relations, public relations and crisis communications. "
See the full list of director, corporate communications skills
The three companies that hire the most director, corporate communicationss are:
- KPMG LLP75 directors, corporate communications jobs
- Salesforce51 directors, corporate communications jobs
- First Merchants9 directors, corporate communications jobs
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Compare different directors, corporate communications
Director, corporate communications vs. Community development director
The job of a community development director is to manage and direct the management and planning initiatives for a community or city organization. Your duties will include collaborating with community partners in developing strategies to improve the community, architectural and economic initiatives, monitoring budgets for department initiatives, and participating in business development efforts. As a community development director, it is your responsibility to develop and maintain the community development department's short- and long-term developmental goals. It is also your duty to develop and coordinate marketing strategies for economic development.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, director, corporate communications responsibilities require skills like "corporate communications," "strategic communications," "crisis communications," and "employee engagement." Meanwhile a typical community development director has skills in areas such as "economic development," "oversight," "project management," and "community outreach." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Community development directors really shine in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $92,043. Comparatively, directors, corporate communications tend to make the most money in the finance industry with an average salary of $136,212.community development directors tend to reach similar levels of education than directors, corporate communications. In fact, community development directors are 4.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.8% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Director, corporate communications vs. Community relations director
A community relations director is an individual who is responsible for managing positive relationships with community members, nonprofit organizations, and fellow employees surrounding an organization. Community relations directors must plan, organize, and manage activities to help the organization achieve its public relations goal. They need to interface with vital community groups so that they can ensure the organization is producing effective results. Community relations managers must also assist in preparing a variety of publicity materials such as speeches and media content.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that director, corporate communications responsibilities requires skills like "corporate communications," "strategic communications," "crisis communications," and "employee engagement." But a community relations director might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "community events," "memory care," "sales process," and "senior care."
Community relations directors may earn a lower salary than directors, corporate communications, but community relations directors earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $87,495. On the other hand, directors, corporate communications receive higher pay in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $136,212.In general, community relations directors achieve similar levels of education than directors, corporate communications. They're 2.8% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Director, corporate communications vs. Public relations director
A public relations director is an individual who is employed to design and implement marketing strategies that can cultivate the relationship between a company and the media. Public relations directors collaborate with the internal team to boost brand awareness and maximize brand consistency in all advertising efforts. They must arrange interviews and press releases so that they can promote their company and its products or services. They also maintain relationships with the media and should manage sensitive issues to maintain the company's good reputation.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from director, corporate communications resumes include skills like "strategic communications," "employee engagement," "investor relations," and "external audiences," whereas a public relations director is more likely to list skills in "instagram," "communications strategies," "public relations strategies," and "press conferences. "
Public relations directors make a very good living in the internet industry with an average annual salary of $114,632. On the other hand, directors, corporate communications are paid the highest salary in the finance industry, with average annual pay of $136,212.Most public relations directors achieve a lower degree level compared to directors, corporate communications. For example, they're 5.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Director, corporate communications vs. Publication director
A publication director spearheads and oversees the operations of publishing establishments, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. They have the authority to make publication decisions, set goals, establish guidelines and timelines, delegate tasks and resources among teams, and develop strategies to optimize operations. They also monitor the workflow and the performance of the workforce, addressing issues and concerns if any arise. Moreover, a publication director leads and encourages staff to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations, developing new ones as needed.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between directors, corporate communications and publication directors, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a director, corporate communications might have more use for skills like "employee engagement," "investor relations," "executive communications," and "crisis management." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of publication directors require skills like "website content," "government agencies," "public policy issues," and "government relations. "
The media industry tends to pay the highest salaries for publication directors, with average annual pay of $85,020. Comparatively, the highest director, corporate communications annual salary comes from the finance industry.In general, publication directors hold similar degree levels compared to directors, corporate communications. Publication directors are 1.7% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 2.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of director, corporate communications
Updated January 8, 2025
