Communications Specialist job description.
A Communications Specialist plans and produces internal and external messaging that supports an organization's brand, reputation, and stakeholder relationships. They draft press materials, coordinate campaigns, and ensure consistent tone and messaging across channels, working closely with marketing, leadership, and media contacts.
The Communications Specialist job description · $29
The full editable .docx — role summary, 8 worked responsibilities, qualifications, and skills, formatted for your letterhead. Delivered to your inbox within 24 hours — usually instantly.
Role: Communications Specialist Reports to: Communications Director or Communications Manager
A Communications Specialist plans and produces internal and external messaging that supports an organization's brand, reputation, and stakeholder relationships. They draft press materials, coordinate campaigns, and ensure consistent tone and messaging across channels, working closely with marketing, leadership, and media contacts.
- Write and edit press releases, internal memos, executive talking points, and web copy
- Coordinate messaging across email, social media, intranet, and print channels
- Support media relations, including drafting pitches and tracking coverage
What's inside the document.
One-paragraph plain-English explanation of the role's outcome and scope.
8 responsibilities phrased the way the work is actually done.
4 qualifications a candidate must have to perform on day 30.
3 qualifications that would make a candidate excellent in year two.
5 skill chips you can copy directly into your ATS.
Communications Director or Communications Manager
A complete document set.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — signature-ready
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
- 12 months of updates to this document
- Commercial-use licence for internal and client work
The work, not the title.
- Write and edit press releases, internal memos, executive talking points, and web copy
- Coordinate messaging across email, social media, intranet, and print channels
- Support media relations, including drafting pitches and tracking coverage
- Maintain brand voice and messaging consistency across all communications
- Assist with crisis communications and issue response planning
- Manage editorial calendars and content approval workflows
- Partner with marketing and leadership on campaign rollouts
- Track and report on communications performance metrics
Required — and what would make a candidate excellent.
- Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or related field
- 2+ years of experience in corporate or agency communications
- Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills
- Experience with content management and media monitoring tools
- Experience in crisis or issues communications
- Familiarity with AP style
- Background in a regulated or public-facing industry
Eight steps from download to publish.
- 01Open the Communications Specialist job description in Word or your one-click Google Docs copy.
- 02Replace placeholders for company name, reporting line, and location with your specifics.
- 03Tighten the summary to one paragraph that names the team's outcome, not just the role.
- 04Edit the responsibilities to match the actual scope of the seat — aim for 6 to 8 items, not 12.
- 05Separate required qualifications from preferred. Required is what a candidate must have to do the work on day 30; preferred is what would make them excellent in year two.
- 06Add salary range guidance using BLS, Payscale, or your own band data — do not copy generic figures.
- 07Have the hiring manager and one peer read it. Cut anything that wouldn't survive a candidate question.
- 08Publish to your ATS, intranet, and external careers page.
The right document at the right moment.
Use this Communications Specialist job description any time you are opening or reopening a seat at this level. The mid band sets the calibration — copy the document, tighten it to your specific scope, and circulate to the hiring panel before the first interview.
The reporting line (Communications Director or Communications Manager) and skills list are starting points. Override either if your org structure or stack differs from the norm — the template is a draft, not a contract.
Honest answers before you download.
- Does a Communications Specialist need journalism experience?
- A journalism or PR background is common and useful but not required; strong writing skills and familiarity with media relations matter most.
- Is this role remote-friendly?
- Yes, many communications specialist roles are remote or hybrid, though some employers want on-site presence for events and executive support.
Other documents in this neighbourhood.
Communications Manager
A Communications Manager leads internal and external communications for an organization, shaping messaging, managing media relations, and protecting brand reputation.
Communications Director
A communications director leads an organization's internal and external communications strategy, including media relations, public messaging, and brand reputation.
Public Relations Specialist
A Public Relations Specialist manages an organization's public image by writing press materials, coordinating with media contacts, and monitoring coverage and public sentiment.
This Communications Specialist job description is a professionally drafted starting point for your hiring process and is not legal advice. Hiring practice varies by jurisdiction (e.g. pay-transparency laws differ across US states and AU jurisdictions). Adapt this document for your specific location and have employment counsel review any clauses you add before publishing. Salary varies by region, employer type, and experience. Reference BLS or current industry surveys for ranges. Full disclaimer.