A Head of Communications is a professional who manages an organization's communication strategies and ensures effective communication with both internal and external stakeholders. They are responsible for shaping the organization's public image, managing relationships with the media, and delivering key messages to various audiences. In this blog post, we will describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for a Head of Communications.

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Main Responsibilities of a Head of Communications

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Head of Communications:

Act as

Act as the organization's spokesperson and handle crisis communication.

Advocate

Advocate for client needs and struggles by providing feedback to internal partners.

Assess

Assess, manage and mitigate reputational risk to Soho House around the world on an ongoing basis.

Attend

Attend / manage PR for agency events.

Build

• Build and maintain an archive of event and program images and / or video assets.

• Build and maintain external partnerships with industry, media companies, and key influencers.

• Build and maintain relationships with journalists, reporters, and media outlets.

• Build and own excellent client relationships.

• Build and retain strong network of media contacts and manage these relationships effectively.

• Build and strengthen a network of regional / national media contacts.

• Build relationships with influential media and journalists.

• Build strong collaboration with Marketing to leverage and amplify the best SAP customer stories.

Collaborate with

• Collaborate with fellow corporate staff on various projects as required, that is, be a team player.

• Collaborate with other departments to ensure consistent messaging.

Conduct

• Conduct market research and competitor analysis to inform communication strategies.

• Conduct media training for key spokespersons within the organization.

Contribute to

• Contribute to elevating initiatives to existing and new media to support the brand.

• Contribute to internal communications, including our internal newsletter.

Coordinate

• Coordinate interviews and brief spokespeople.

• Coordinate media relations activities, including press releases and media interviews.

• Coordinate with the Head of Creative and Design to ensure consistency in brand and visual identity.

Craft

• Craft compelling messages and narratives for different target audiences.

• Craft press releases - pitch and place targeted stories.

Create

• Create and deliver presentations to key stakeholders.

• Create and implement comprehensive communication plans.

• Create and manage budget and report on spend against budget and forecast.

• Create opportunities for professional development.

• Create thought leadership strategy for awareness in the media ensuring the overarching SAP.

Cultivate

Cultivate relationships with community organizations and stakeholders.

Define

Define and monitor key metrics to assess the performance and impact of the Communications campaigns.

Design

Design and develop standards for communications success.

Develop

• Develop and execute internal communication strategies and programs.

• Develop and implement an integrated communication strategy that supports Frontiers' business goals.

• Develop and manage digital communication channels, including social media platforms.

• Develop and monitor objectives.

• Develop communication strategies to align with organizational goals.

• Develop crisis communication plans and protocols.

• Develop effective and timely communications that drive subscriber, stakeholder engagement & loyalty.

• Develop media and social media growth and engagement strategies.

• Develop media campaigns to support communications strategy objectives.

• Develop partnerships and collaborations to enhance the organization's reach.

• Develop processes, tools and ways of working to deliver integrated communications.

• Develop the content for and produce short infomercials.

Devise

Devise and implement communication plans for key organisational deliverables.

Engage

• Engage and manage external agencies, providing clear direction and focus to ensure alignment.

• Engage and supervise our outside agency as needed.

Ensure

• Ensure best practice in crisis communications and reputation management for TAP.

• Ensure brand corporate guidelines are used consistently throughout the company.

• Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements related to communication.

• Ensure crises are managed, coordinated, and escalated to region and Global Communications.

• Ensure internal communication messages are consistent with external communication messages.

• Ensure joined-up communications plans across TAP.

• Ensure long-term placement of CBI's core messaging through all media and social channels.

• Ensure our brand guidelines are up-to-date, practical and accessible.

• Ensure The Access Project is nominated for relevant awards.

• Ensure the privacy and safety of the young people we work with in all communications and media work.

Establish

Establish and maintain relationships with industry influencers and thought leaders.

Evaluate

Evaluate and measure the effectiveness of communication campaigns.

Facilitate

Facilitate media training for TAP spokespeople.

Finalized

Finalized version of mass emails sent by Development Associate.

Focus on

Focus on process improvement and scalable solutions.

Foster

Foster a culture of effective communication throughout the organization.

Help

• Help tell company story in strategic, high-visibility outlets and forums.

• Help to source and steward high-profile ambassadors for TAP.

Implement

Implement strategies to enhance the organization's online presence and visibility.

Interact with

Interact with and build relationships with media outlets.

Keep

Keep track of relevant news and policy developments in social mobility and higher education.

Lead

• Lead a small team of communications specialists, interns or fellows.

• Lead Hong Kong and Taiwan Communications team.

• Lead on internal communications plans, working alongside our People Team.

Maintain

Maintain positive relations with clients, partners and media.

Manage

• Manage and coordinate all social media outlets with specific short and long term communication plans.

• Manage and oversee the organization's brand and reputation.

• Manage and update press contact lists.

• Manage communication budgets and allocate resources effectively.

• Manage expectations internally and with the client in order to ensure a successful client launch.

• Manage external agencies and vendors involved in communication activities.

• Manage interface with PR agencies for the Business Units and ongoing media relations initiatives.

• Manage the CBI website development program and external service providers.

Monitor

• Monitor and analyze media coverage and public opinion.

• Monitor media mentions of brand, of competitors.

• Monitor team performance and professional development, set objectives, and conduct annual appraisals.

Nurture

Nurture relationships with press and key influencers.

Organize

Organize and coordinate events, conferences, and public speaking engagements.

Oversee

• Oversee all the work and collaborate with our internal graphic designer.

• Oversee and track the annual budget and ensure it is fully maximized.

• Oversee Communications Manager in creation and execution of the Asset Archive.

• Oversee the production of marketing materials and collateral.

Oversight

Oversight and implementation of the communication strategy for all events, webinars and podcasts.

Prepare

Prepare & present yearly budget of communications dept. to management committee.

Prioritize

Prioritize client requirements and needs and communicate priorities to senior leadership.

Produce

Produce high quality copy for a range of communication outputs.

Provide

• Provide communications counsel to local Managing Director(s) and MUs leadership teams, build.

• Provide communication support for internal initiatives and employee engagement.

• Provide oversight and guidance.

Reinforce

Reinforce brand positioning and messaging.

Research

Research industry and market trends to identify original and compelling engagement strategies.

Set

Set appropriate indicators of success for effective delivery.

Stay

• Stay current / updated on food policy and advocacy efforts (e.g., Food is Medicine Coalition).

• Stay up-to-date with industry trends and emerging communication tools.

Support

Support executive leadership in delivering strategic messages.

Train

Train and coach team members on effective communication practices.

Understand

Understand market requirements and client needs for reporting and analytics.

Validate

Validate technical reporting and file formats.

Work with

• Work with department heads to assist in identifying assets for projects as needed.

• Work with MPs and relevant select committees to gain traction for TAP on priority policy areas.

• Work with our student ambassadors to bring their voice into media coverage.

• Work with us at the forefront of digitally-native finance.

Write

• Write press announcements and media alerts and manage press engagement at agency events.

• Write the content and produce marketing material for trade shows.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Head of Communications:

1. Strategic planning and execution

2. Public relations and media relations

3. Crisis communication management

4. Brand management and positioning

5. Content creation and storytelling

6. Digital marketing and social media management

7. Data analytics and reporting

8. Stakeholder engagement and relationship management

9. Public speaking and presentation skills

10. Project management

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Head of Communications:

1. Excellent written and verbal communication skills

2. Strong interpersonal and relationship-building abilities

3. Leadership and team management

4. Problem-solving and decision-making skills

5. Adaptability and flexibility

6. Strategic thinking and planning

7. Emotional intelligence and empathy

8. Creativity and innovation

9. Collaboration and cross-functional teamwork

10. Resilience and the ability to thrive under pressure

Conclusion

In conclusion, a Head of Communications holds significant responsibilities in shaping an organization's communication strategies and maintaining its public image. They require a combination of hard skills, including strategic planning, media relations, and digital marketing, as well as soft skills such as communication, leadership, and adaptability. By possessing the right skills and effectively fulfilling their responsibilities, a Head of Communications can contribute to the success and reputation of an organization.