A communications director is in charge of managing the flow of information within a company, non-profit organization, government agency, or other organization. This position develops and implements communication strategies and plans for a company. They provide public relations and internal communication strategy advice to a company’s top executives. The communications director has primary responsibility for managing an organization’s image.
Managing media relations is one of the major responsibilities of the communications director. He or she is the organization’s primary spokesperson. The director answers journalists’ questions, organizes press conferences and junkets, and drafts press releases. He or she instructs others in the organization on how to speak with journalists in the media. To gain positive publicity for his or her organization, the director tries to establish good relationships with journalists.
The communications director is also in charge of government and community relations in addition to media relations. He or she is in charge of fostering positive relationships with government officials and the general public in the area. Overseeing a speaker’s bureau, attending local community meetings, and implementing volunteerism programs that benefit the community are some examples of what this could entail.
In many organizations, the communications director is also in charge of employee communications. Employee communications includes things like planning management meetings with employees and writing newsletters and other informational materials. Human resources, on the other hand, is in charge of this in some companies and organizations.
Marketing communications efforts are frequently overseen by corporate communications directors. Marketing communications entails the creation of written collateral material to aid in the acquisition of new business. Sales brochures, white papers, case studies, and other marketing collateral are examples of marketing collateral.
People in this position must understand all of the interest groups served by their organization in order to be effective. They must keep track of what is being said about their company in the media and, if necessary, counter negative coverage. They must be able to work well under duress, especially in the event of an emergency or crisis. Another crucial area of responsibility for the director is crisis and emergency communications planning.
In a larger organization, the communications director will usually have a team of people working for him or her. Managers and their staffs for each of the communications functions are frequently included on the team. The director of communications may report to a vice president of communications or be the top communicator, reporting to the organization’s leader, depending on the organization and its size.
A person in this leadership role is commonly referred to as a “communications director,” “director of communications,” or “public relations director” in the private sector. The term “press secretary” is frequently used by the government. In the military, the title “Chief of Public Affairs” is commonly used.