Last Updated On 22 Aug, 2020

How to Become a Communications Manager

About Communications Manager

A Communications Manager is a person who controls all of the communication activities of a company. Usually, Communications Manager are responsible for handling the content that links a brand directly to their consumers. They have to ensure that the content being put out by a brand's Communications department is portraying the correct brand image and is in-sync with the overall communications strategy of a brand. Communications Managers have to perform several tasks as part of their job, which not only involves writing and editing content crucial to a company's marketing, brand management, PR management and media relations. Their job is to ensure that all of the corporate communication issued by the company works towards building a specific image as required by a company.\

Responsibilities of a Communications Manager

Listed below are the job responsibilities of a Communications Manager.

  • Creating content such as articles, e-mailers, social media posts etc. conducive to the brand image of a company.

  • Creating a communications strategy on an annual/semi-annual basis.

  • Handling customer support activities for the company, such as answering customer queries, replying to online reviews etc.

  • Overseeing that the communication policies of a brand are being implemented properly.

  • Supervising the day-to-day tasks of the communications and PR department of a company.

  • Coordination with the marketing department on any marketing-related communications being put out by the company.

  • Managing the Public Relations of a brand through activities such as media and social media campaigns, public releases etc.

Eligibility to become Communications Manager

Candidates seeking a career in Corporate Communications must ensure that their profile supports their eligibility for the role.

Education
  • Candidates must be at least graduates in a related stream such as English or Journalism for a Communications role.

  • A bachelor's degree in any stream is good enough to get you into a PR role.

  • You might have to go for a postgraduate course in communications to make your profile more suitable for the job.

Work ExperienceDepending upon the company, you may be required to have 5 to 10 years of work experience for this job role.
Skills
  • Outstanding written and verbal communications skills are a basic requirement for this role.

  • Candidates must also have good experience with Content / Content Marketing.

  • Practical knowledge of PR and Marketing fields is desirable.

  • Must be able to deliver effective communication strategies in a fast-paced environment.

  • Ability to work independently as well as in a team.

  • Good interpersonal skills. etc.

Courses to Become a Communications Manager

The following courses can be considered to become a Communications Manager in India.

Course

Course Fee

Mass Communication Colleges in India

Bachelor of Journalism & Mass Communication (BJMC)

Rs. 90,000 - 8 lacs

BA English (Hons)

Rs. 25,000 - 4 lacs

BBA Communications Management

Rs. 10,000 - 5 lacs

BBA Media Management

Rs. 5 to 10 lacs

PG Diploma in Media and Mass Communication

Rs. 10,000 to 5 lacs

MBA - Communication Management

Rs. 1.5 to 10 lacs

Masters in Journalism and Mass Communication (MJMC)

Rs. 15,000 to 1.5 lacs

You can fill the Common Application Form (CAF) and apply for popular mass communication colleges from a single platform. For any queries, please write to us on the CollegeDekho QnA Zone or call our helpline number 18005729877.

Types of Job Roles Communications Manager

Given below are some career options / job profiles related to Communications Managers.

  • Corporate Communications Manager

  • Marketing Communications Manager

  • Senior Marketing and Communications Manager

  • Public Relations Manager

  • Strategic Communications Manager

  • Brand Communications Manager etc.

Employment Sector/Industry for Communications Manager

Communications Manager is a vital requirement for any company with a strong online or offline presence in the market. From small businesses to large corporations, companies recruit Communications Managers in their team in order to help them build their brand image and take care of the PR activities. Digital platforms and social media have strongly influenced the job of a communications manager these days. Their work now includes helping a company build a strong online presence apart from handling the offline communication of a brand. Given below are the areas of employment for a Communications Manager in India.

  • E-Commerce Companies

  • Financial Service Providers

  • Service Aggregator Companies

  • MNCs

  • Government Organisations

  • NGOs

  • Pharmaceutical Companies

  • Media Agencies

  • Educational Institutions etc.

Some of the top recruiting companies for Communications Managers are.

  • Amazon

  • Tata Communication

  • EY

  • Michael Page etc.

Planning to choose Communications Manager as your career?

Pay Scale/Salary of Communications Manager

Given below is the average salary details of a Communications Manager and other related profiles.

Job Profile

1 – 3 yeas

Average

5 – 7 years

10 – 12 years

Communications Manager

Rs. 5.80 LPA

Rs. 9.05 LPA

Rs. 9.50 LPA

Rs. 13.45 LPA

Corporate Communications Manager

Rs. 4.90 LPA

Rs. 8.90 LPA

Rs. 10.00 LPA

Rs. 13.25 LPA

Marketing Communications Manager

Rs. 5.20 LPA

Rs. 7.75 LPA

Rs. 8.30 LPA

Rs. 13.50 LPA

Books & Study Material to Become Communications Manager

Check the best reference books for Communications Manager given below.

  • The New Rules of Marketing and PR by David Meerman Scott
  • Multimedia Storytelling for Digital Communicators in a Multiplatform World by Seth Gitner
  • Social Media: Marketing Strategies for Rapid Growth Using Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest and YouTube by John Williams
  • The Art of Crisis Leadership by Rob Weinhold
  • Spin Sucks: Communication and Reputation Management in the Digital Age by Gini Dietrich

Pros of becoming a Communications Manager

  • Communications is a high-paid career with some of the best opportunities for growth.

  • Project-based work, which comes with new and exciting challenges for the professional.

  • Fast-paced environment involving coordinating with various stakeholders and helps keep a person active and on their feet.

Cons of becoming a Communications Manager

  • It can often be a 24x7 job, especially in the time of crisis.

  • One has to build a very strong portfolio and knowledge of the field to get into this career.

  • Often requires professionals to put in long working hours.

Do you think this is the right career choice for you?

Take our test and find out if it suits your strengths.

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FAQs about Communications Manager

Is there any difference between a Communications Manager and a PR Manager?

Yes, while the former focuses on the communications part the latter employs various strategies to build and maintain a positive relationship between the company and its target audience. However, for all practical purposes, both can be used interchangeably in India.

How is the salary for a Communications Manager?

Communications Manager is one of the most well-paid careers in any industry. The job has an average salary of around 8 to 9 LPA and senior-level professionals with 10+ years of experience make Rs. 13+ LPA on average in the field.

Can I become a Communications Manager after a Content Writer role?

Yes, Content Writer is a good start if you want a career in the field of communications. Make sure that you are focusing on developing strong communication skills and building a good portfolio to apply for a Communications role.

Is a postgraduate degree necessary to become a Communications Manager?

No, a postgraduate degree will not be necessary if you have the required work experience and skills. Otherwise, you can consider an MBA or PGD in a stream related to Communications or PR.

Which type of courses should I pursue to become a Communications Manager?

Any bachelor's degree course can help you get into a career in Communications if you have a strong command over the English language. However, the best courses for the field would be in English, Journalism and Mass Communication.

What are the minimum requirements to become a Communications Manager?

A bachelor's degree will be the minimum requirement to get into this field. To advance to the post of Communications Manager, you will require at least 5 years of experience in a relevant position.

What skills must a Communications Manager have?

A Communications Manager must have an excellent knowledge of all functional areas of communications such as PR, Marketing, Social Media Management etc. He/she must be self-motivated, have good interpersonal skills and the capability of performing in a fast-paced environment.

What type of candidate is suitable for the role of a Communications Manager?

Candidates with excellent command over English (or any other) language, artistic flair and an eye for detail and perfection in any form of verbal or written communication are best suited for this role.

What are the job responsibilities of a Communications Manager?

The primary responsibility of a Communications Manager is to write content such as PR releases, newsletters, articles, social media posts for a company. A Communications Manager also has to manage the PR team in a company, prepare the communications strategy of the company, ensure that there is proper interaction between the company and their customers on any platform and manage all corporate communications in a time of crisis.

Who is a Communications Manager?

A Communications Manager is a person who oversees all of the written and visual communication put out by the company through various channels. Communications Manager have to ensure that any content posted by a brand is in compliance with its brand image and communication policies.

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