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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Communications Coordinator

💰 $ - $

🎯 Role Definition

The Communications Coordinator is responsible for developing, executing, and measuring integrated communications that advance the organization's brand, reputation, and strategic objectives. This role combines content creation, media relations, digital and internal communications, and campaign analytics to ensure consistent messaging across channels. The ideal candidate is a skilled writer and editor, comfortable managing social media platforms and content management systems, and capable of coordinating cross-functional stakeholders to deliver timely, impactful communications that support marketing, public affairs, and employee engagement goals.

Keywords: communications coordinator job responsibilities, communications coordinator skills, social media management, media relations, internal communications, content strategy, brand messaging, PR measurement.


📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Marketing Assistant or Marketing Coordinator
  • Public Relations (PR) Assistant or PR Intern
  • Social Media Coordinator or Content Assistant

Advancement To:

  • Senior Communications Coordinator or Communications Specialist
  • Communications Manager or PR Manager
  • Content Marketing Manager or Digital Communications Manager
  • Director of Communications or Head of Corporate Communications

Lateral Moves:

  • Marketing Communications Specialist
  • Event Coordinator / Events Manager
  • Public Affairs or Community Relations Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Develop, write, and edit clear, on-brand external communications including press releases, media advisories, op-eds, bylined articles, executive speeches, and key messaging documents to support organizational initiatives and product launches.
  • Create, schedule, and manage content across social media channels (LinkedIn, Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok) using platform best practices and social listening to grow engagement and follower base while aligning with brand voice and editorial calendar.
  • Plan and execute integrated communications campaigns (earned, owned, and paid) from concept through post-campaign analysis, including timelines, deliverables, creative briefs, channel selection, and KPI reporting to measure reach and impact.
  • Maintain and update the organization’s website and content management system (CMS), optimizing pages for SEO, readability, accessibility, and lead generation while ensuring messaging consistency.
  • Build and maintain media lists and journalist relationships; proactively pitch stories, coordinate interviews, manage embargoes, and act as a liaison between subject matter experts and reporters to secure positive press coverage.
  • Draft and distribute internal communications — company-wide announcements, leadership updates, intranet posts, employee newsletters, and town hall materials — to foster alignment, transparency, and employee engagement.
  • Monitor traditional and digital media coverage, compile weekly/monthly media monitoring reports with sentiment analysis, coverage value metrics, and recommendations for message refinement.
  • Produce, edit, and manage multimedia content including photos, short-form video, graphics, and slide decks in partnership with designers or using tools like Adobe Creative Cloud and Canva for social posts, landing pages, and presentations.
  • Manage email marketing campaigns and newsletters end-to-end: list segmentation, copywriting, template editing, A/B testing, deliverability monitoring, and performance reporting in platforms such as Mailchimp, HubSpot, or Constant Contact.
  • Support crisis and issues communications by drafting holding statements, Q&As, and internal talking points; coordinate rapid stakeholder notification and help maintain consistent external messaging under direction of senior leadership.
  • Coordinate press events, media briefings, panel discussions, webinars, and community outreach activities — handling logistics, media accreditation, on-site coordination, and post-event follow-up and reporting.
  • Collaborate with product, marketing, HR, legal, and executive teams to translate technical or complex information into audience-appropriate messaging and content that drives understanding and action.
  • Maintain brand standards and messaging frameworks; review and approve marketing collateral and third-party communications to ensure adherence to tone, style, and legal/regulatory guidelines.
  • Track communications budgets, vendor contracts (PR agencies, freelance writers, photographers, videographers), and procurement activities while ensuring cost-effective delivery of communications programs.
  • Conduct audience research and stakeholder mapping to inform segmentation, channel strategies, and personalized messaging that improves engagement and campaign ROI.
  • Create and maintain editorial calendars that coordinate cross-channel content, campaign milestones, product launches, and major organizational events to ensure timely and consistent communication.
  • Measure, analyze, and report on communications performance using Google Analytics, social analytics, email metrics, and media coverage data; translate insights into actionable recommendations for optimization.
  • Facilitate media training and prepare spokespeople with talking points, mock interviews, and briefing materials to ensure confident, consistent public representation.
  • Manage content localization and translation workflows to support multilingual communications and global rollout of campaigns while ensuring cultural and linguistic appropriateness.
  • Ensure compliance with organizational policies, industry regulations, and privacy laws in all external communications and when handling media inquiries involving sensitive information.
  • Oversee influencer and partner outreach programs, negotiating deliverables, tracking performance, and ensuring alignment with brand values and communications objectives.
  • Maintain and update crisis communication plans and run tabletop exercises with cross-functional stakeholders to test readiness and response procedures.

(These primary functions are typical responsibilities drawn from real-world Communications Coordinator and PR/marketing coordinator job openings, optimized for discoverability and LLM understanding.)

Secondary Functions

  • Support content governance by maintaining style guides, message libraries, and FAQ documents for internal and external use.
  • Assist in basic graphic and video edits, file management, and archiving of communications assets for future reuse.
  • Support senior communications staff on special projects such as annual reports, thought leadership programs, and awards submissions.
  • Provide ad-hoc reporting and data pulls for executive leadership and cross-functional teams to inform decisions and communication priorities.
  • Coordinate with HR on internal recognition communications, recruiting campaigns, and onboarding messaging for new hires.
  • Manage vendor relationships for printing, signage, and promotional materials to ensure timely delivery and quality control.
  • Participate in cross-functional planning sessions and provide communications input to product launches and customer initiatives.
  • Maintain and refresh the media contact database and stakeholder lists to ensure accuracy and up-to-date contact information.
  • Support measurement and continuous improvement efforts by documenting processes, playbooks, and post-mortem learnings.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Advanced writing and editing skills with demonstrated ability to produce press releases, executive communications, web copy, and long-form content using AP and company style guides.
  • Social media management expertise, including content calendars, scheduling tools (Hootsuite, Sprout Social, Buffer), and analytics-driven optimization.
  • Content Management System (CMS) proficiency — experience with platforms such as WordPress, Drupal, Sitecore, or HubSpot CMS.
  • Basic SEO knowledge: keyword research, on-page optimization, meta tags, and best practices for search visibility.
  • Email marketing and CRM platform experience (Mailchimp, HubSpot, Salesforce Marketing Cloud, Constant Contact) — list segmentation, templates, and performance analytics.
  • Media relations and pitching skills, including building journalist lists, crafting targeted pitches, and managing interview logistics.
  • Measurement and analytics: Google Analytics, social platform insights, media monitoring tools (Meltwater, Cision, Brandwatch), and reporting on reach, engagement, impressions, and sentiment.
  • Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere) or Canva for basic asset creation and brief-writing for designers.
  • Event coordination tools and virtual meeting/webinar platforms (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, ON24) for hosting and promoting live and virtual events.
  • Crisis communications and issues management experience, including drafting holding statements and coordinating rapid-response messaging.
  • Basic project management skills and tools (Asana, Trello, Monday.com) to manage concurrent campaigns and cross-functional deliverables.
  • Experience with video and audio content production workflows — scripting, storyboarding, editing, and publishing on digital channels.
  • Accessibility and compliance awareness (WCAG basics, privacy and data protection considerations in communications).

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional written and verbal communication — clear, concise, persuasive, and tailored for diverse audiences.
  • Strong attention to detail and editorial judgment; ability to proofread and fact-check under tight deadlines.
  • Strategic thinking with an emphasis on storytelling, audience insight, and measurable outcomes.
  • Relationship-building and stakeholder management — able to influence and collaborate with subject matter experts, senior leaders, vendors, and media.
  • Time management and the ability to prioritize multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
  • Creativity and problem-solving mindset to generate new content ideas and campaign approaches.
  • Calmness under pressure, adaptability, and resilience during breaking news or crisis situations.
  • Integrity and discretion when handling confidential information or sensitive communications.
  • Initiative and ownership — proactive in identifying opportunities to improve processes and communications impact.
  • Cultural sensitivity and inclusivity when crafting content for diverse internal and external audiences.

(These skills are compiled from common requirements in Communications Coordinator job listings and optimized to match search queries like communications coordinator skills, PR coordinator skills, and social media communications expertise.)


Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, English, or a related field.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree plus certifications (e.g., HubSpot Content Marketing, Google Analytics, Hootsuite Social Media Marketing) or a Master’s degree in Communications, Journalism, or Strategic Communications.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Communications
  • Journalism
  • Public Relations
  • Marketing
  • English / Professional Writing
  • Media Studies

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 2–5 years of professional experience in communications, public relations, marketing, or a similar role.

Preferred:

  • 3+ years of experience managing media relations, social media channels, content production, and internal communications in a corporate, nonprofit, agency, or higher-education environment.
  • Proven track record of measurable campaign results, press placements, and experience with analytics and reporting tools.

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