How To Become A Publications Manager: What It Is and Career Path

What is a publications manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Dr. Jeannette Kindred Ph.D.

Publications managers create and distribute publications for colleges, universities, businesses, and other organizations. They fulfill a variety of duties, playing the roles of both marketing specialists and layout designers. A publications manager typically reports to a publications director.

As a publications manager, they are responsible for taking care of all the publications of the firm. The specific duties of a publications manager position include supervising all the people associated with a publication; coordinating with vendors and other department members; arranging for training materials and other resources for production or publishing team; assisting the publishing director with the administration of publications; and keeping updated on publications from competitor publishing houses. To qualify for the position, applicants need a bachelor's degree in mass communication, journalism, or similar. A master's degree would give applicants an advantage over other candidates.

The average hourly pay for this position is $43.29, which amounts to $90,051 annually. The career is expected to grow in the near future and create new opportunities across the United States.

What general advice would you give to a publications manager?

Dr. Jeannette Kindred Ph.D.

Professor of Communication, Eastern Michigan University

Seek out people in your field who you admire and start building professional relationships (this also builds your network). Ask questions and accept constructive feedback, to show that you are willing to learn and grow. Continually reflect on what you are doing and consider if the work is important and meaningful for you-if it's not, then why are you doing it? Finally, always find ways to give back to your community, through your voice or your actions. Especially in these difficult times in our country, we need people working together to better communities more than ever.

ScorePublications ManagerUS Average

Salary

7.4

Avg. Salary $94,155

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.7

Growth rate 8%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.42%

Asian 5.07%

Black or African American 5.76%

Hispanic or Latino 8.94%

Unknown 4.65%

White 75.15%

Gender

female 56.50%

male 43.50%

Age - 41

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 - 41

Stress level

8.7

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.4

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

3.8

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a publications manager

Explore publications manager education requirements

Most common publications manager degrees

Bachelor's

71.5 %

Master's

13.3 %

Associate

9.0 %

Start to develop specific publications manager skills

Skills	Percentages
Facebook	18.65%
Project Management	14.52%
Press Releases	9.79%
PowerPoint	5.91%
Publicity Campaigns	5.83%

Complete relevant publications manager training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New publications managers 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 publications manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real publications manager resumes.

Research publications manager duties and responsibilities

Lead company-wide FDA compliance requirements documentation project.
Manage leading fashion editorial photography studio, including set and lighting design.
Implement processes and tools to satisfy FDA and ISO user documentation requirements.
Revolutionize tuberculosis (TB) program by conducting and monitoring an epidemiological risk assessment of the base's local community.

Prepare your publications manager resume

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