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What is a director of communications and marketing and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted experts
Ellen Daniels,
Jody McBrien
introduction image

The director of communications is integral to a company's public perception. In some organizations, the roles are split in two -- director of communications and director of marketing. In these situations, the communications director is concerned with maintaining a positive public perception while the marketing director focuses on the company's products and services.

When these roles are combined, the individual is responsible for handling company marketing campaigns. They determine the best price for products, create campaigns based on a target audience, and promote their product. They will also create communication strategies within the business. Other responsibilities include assessing the business's communication channels, modifying them, and designing new ones.

To become a director of communications, you'll need at least a master's degree in communications, business administration, marketing, or related fields. You'll also need many years of experience -- the exact number varies between employers.

What general advice would you give to a director of communications and marketing?

Ellen DanielsEllen Daniels LinkedIn profile

Associate Lecturer, Department of Marketing and Entrepreneurship Sales Program Coordinator Coach, KSU Sales Team Lead Faculty Advisor, PSE, Kent State University

Be flexible. Companies are seeking marketing grads who can fit into many roles, particularly customer service and sales. You may not get a marketing communication job right out of college, but you may certainly be qualified for an entry-level sales job that leads to an internal marketing position.
ScoreDirector Of Communications And MarketingUS Average
Salary
6.8

Avg. Salary $87,324

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
7.5

Growth rate 10%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.1
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.23%

Asian 8.15%

Black or African American 3.04%

Hispanic or Latino 8.67%

Unknown 5.32%

White 74.58%

Gender

female 63.93%

male 36.07%

Age - 38
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 38
Stress level
7.5

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
9.0

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
3.5

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Director of communications and marketing career paths

Key steps to become a director of communications and marketing

  1. Explore director of communications and marketing education requirements

    Most common director of communications and marketing degrees

    Bachelor's

    80.4 %

    Master's

    14.1 %

    Associate

    3.9 %
  2. Start to develop specific director of communications and marketing skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Web Content10.25%
    Strategic Communications5.69%
    Marketing Campaigns5.63%
    Press Releases5.53%
    Digital Marketing4.69%
  3. Complete relevant director of communications and marketing training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New directors of communications and marketing learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a director of communications and marketing based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real director of communications and marketing resumes.
  4. Research director of communications and marketing duties and responsibilities

    • Manage all internal company-wide communications, including company intranet, quarterly all- company meetings broadcast to all locations and executive communications.
    • Direct SEM and SEO strategies for trial consumer online site in reus device sales.
    • Develop social media strategy via Facebook that is now a key marketing component to current and prospective families.
    • Implement company s first Facebook advertisement.
  5. Get director of communications and marketing experience

    Generally, it takes 8-10 years to become a director of communications and marketing. The most common roles before becoming a director of communications and marketing include marketing director, marketing manager team lead and marketing communications manager.
  6. Prepare your director of communications and marketing resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your director of communications and marketing resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a director of communications and marketing resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable director of communications and marketing resume templates

    Build a professional director of communications and marketing resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your director of communications and marketing resume.
    Director Of Communications And Marketing Resume
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    Director Of Communications And Marketing Resume
    Director Of Communications And Marketing Resume
    Director Of Communications And Marketing Resume
    Director Of Communications And Marketing Resume
    Director Of Communications And Marketing Resume
    Director Of Communications And Marketing Resume
  7. Apply for director of communications and marketing jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a director of communications and marketing job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first director of communications and marketing job

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Average director of communications and marketing salary

The average director of communications and marketing salary in the United States is $87,324 per year or $42 per hour. Director of communications and marketing salaries range between $57,000 and $133,000 per year.

Average director of communications and marketing salary
$87,324 Yearly
$41.98 hourly

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How do directors of communications and marketing rate their job?

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Director of communications and marketing reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2019
Pros

People relations Results behavioural change

Cons

marketing especially retailing products and or fundraising


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2019
Pros

Heart leeds capital

Cons

English life to advance by clearing the wreckage of its past


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on May 2019
Pros

Overseeing printing For direct mail. Packaging design Developing hot mail list.

Cons

Unreasonable deadlines.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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