What is Corporate Communication? A Career and Skills Guide
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Corporate communication has evolved significantly from its earlier days when it was mainly considered just public relations. Today, it’s a strategic management function that encompasses a wide range of activities including investor relations, internal communications, organizational communication, marketing support and legal assistance, integral to top management operations.
This discipline is essential to ensure that all forms of communication align with the company's goals and deliver a consistent message. That’s why, nowadays, corporate communication is seen not just as a role but as a critical tool for managing change, defining a company's societal position and shaping its identity.
What Does a Corporate Communications Specialist Do?
In this continuously changing environment, the role of a corporate communication specialist has become more dynamic and crucial than ever. They are tasked with managing complex relationships with governments, the public and internal teams, seeking to operate ethically and uphold corporate integrity while promoting a sense of pride within the organization.
Dr. Johanna Fawkes describes the main activities in public relations in "The Public Relations Handbook." This list of responsibilities can give you a glimpse of what your role would entail as a public relations professional. Let’s examine them closely:
- Internal Communications: In this position, you’d be responsible for creating content like in-house newsletters to keep staff updated on company news and events. You would also manage feedback tools such as suggestion boxes, which are essential for hearing employees’ ideas and concerns.
- Corporate PR: As a corporate communications specialist, you’d manage the company's image by creating press releases and handling media questions. You’d also manage tough situations to keep the company’s reputation strong. Working in Corporate PR puts you in charge of how others view the company, requiring both creativity and smart planning. If you enjoy persuasive communication and like a fast-paced environment, this field offers a chance to make a real impact every day. Media Relations: You’ll be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with media professionals such as journalists and editors across different platforms like newspapers, magazines, radio, TV and online. Your tasks will include writing press releases, organizing photo opportunities, releasing video news and handling off-the-record briefings and press events. This position is crucial for managing how the media portrays the company.
- Business to Business (B2B) Communications: Your focus will be connecting with other organizations such as suppliers and retailers. You'll handle activities like organizing trade shows, setting up exhibitions and creating newsletters. This role is essential for maintaining strong professional relationships and ensuring smooth cooperation between companies.
- Public Affairs: You'll communicate with influential figures such as local and national politicians to monitor and influence the political landscape. This responsibility involves delivering presentations, holding briefings, organizing private meetings and giving public speeches.
- Community Relations/Corporate Social Responsibility: You'll focus on building and maintaining a positive relationship between your company and the communities it serves by organizing community events, spearheading charity initiatives and communicating the company's efforts in sustainability and social welfare.
- Investor Relations: You'll communicate with financial organizations and investors through newsletters, briefings and events. Your job will be to keep them informed and supportive of the organization's strategies and performance. This is key for maintaining investor trust and securing future investment.
- Strategic Communication: This area involves deep thinking and planning. You'll identify and analyze situations, problems and potential solutions that align with the organization's goals. Strategic communication often requires researching, planning and executing campaigns aimed at improving the organization's ethical reputation.
- Issues Management: Here, you'll need to keep your finger on the pulse of political, social, economic and technological trends. The goal is to foresee and manage issues that could impact the organization. This role is crucial for organizations that need to stay ahead of potential challenges that could affect their operations.
- Crisis Management: In crisis management, you'll be on the front lines during emergencies, responsible for delivering clear, concise messages to manage the organization's response. This often involves coordinating with the media and partnering with organizations like police or hospitals to ensure accurate and timely information is disseminated.
- Copywriting: If you have a flair for writing, this role involves creating high-quality content tailored to various audiences. You'll be writing for press releases, newsletters, web pages and annual reports. Effective copywriting is essential to convey the organization's message and engage the audience meaningfully.
- Publications Management: A corporate communications specialist oversees the production of various publications, including leaflets, internal magazines and websites. You'll ensure these materials meet high standards of presentation and accuracy.
- Events and Exhibitions Management: You'll organize complex events like conferences, press launches and trade shows. This involves detailed planning and coordination to ensure everything runs smoothly from start to finish. You'll work on setting up venues, coordinating with speakers, managing schedules and ensuring all attendees have a great experience.
Overall, a public relations specialist acts as a liaison, advocate and communicator for an organization, crafting narratives, managing perceptions and building relationships across a broad spectrum of stakeholders to maintain and enhance the organization's reputation and achieve its communication goals.
Corporate Communications Careers and Salaries?
The average annual salary for careers in corporate communications is approximately $99,825. This figure is based on data from reputable sources like ZipRecruiter, Payscale, Glassdoor and Salary.com, which collect salary information for a variety of roles across different regions and experience levels.
Additionally, the projected growth in media and communication jobs shows that these fields are stable and in demand, meaning good job security and plenty of career opportunities in the years ahead.
At the entry level, you can expect to start your career in roles such as Communications Specialist, where the average annual salary is around $67,000. Media Relations Specialist and Public Relations Specialist are also common starting positions, earning approximately $61,893 and $64,362 respectively. These roles typically involve supporting broader communications efforts, writing content and managing day-to-day interactions with the media.
As you progress to mid-level positions, you’ll take on managerial responsibilities. For instance, a Communications Manager, who earns about $85,857 annually, oversees the development and implementation of communication strategies. Similarly, the Media Relations Manager and Public Relations Manager, earning $93,829 and $83,626 respectively, handle more strategic aspects of media interactions and public image management, guiding teams and coordinating with various stakeholders to uphold and advance the organization's reputation.
At the senior level, roles are more strategic and impactful within the organization. The Director of Communications, with an annual salary of about $102,257, heads the department, sets long-term goals and aligns strategies with company objectives. The Director of Media Relations, earns roughly $96,510 and oversees media interactions to support overarching strategies. , making around $103,920, focus on enhancing the company’s public image. At the top, the Chief Communications Officer, earning approximately $235,500, oversees all communications and public relations, ensuring alignment with corporate goals.
Curious about how to kick off your career in this industry? UTEP's Online Bachelor of Arts in Organizational and Corporate Communication equips you with the tools you need for a successful career. Explore the coursework and find out how this degree has enabled our students to land in-demand jobs.