Having an effective communication strategy within an organization is the key element for success in this day and age. It is important to make sure that the whole team is on the same page with the company’s overall goals, objectives, and mission to achieve great results.
But who takes care of this issue to ensure smooth communication within the company?
This article will tell you all about the role of an internal communications specialist, the key responsibilities of the job, and the skill set it takes to become a successful professional in this field.
Who Is an Internal Communications Specialist?
Internal communication specialist is someone who takes the responsibility for creating and implementing employee communications content, overseeing company correspondence, and taking care of messaging.
Having this kind of professional within the company is absolutely crucial because they are the ones who implement processes and activities to ensure the smooth information flow within the organization’s departments.
At the same time, they work on creating a strong communications plan to support productive work and make sure every stakeholder is aligned with the objectives that the company has.
Internal Communications Specialist Responsibilities
Developing Internal Communication Strategies:
- Ensure the consistent flow of information within an organization
- Prevent communication breakdowns and gaps in information sharing
Managing Corporate Announcements:
- Drive effective internal communications that foster a company culture
- Keep employees informed and engaged when giving important updates
Coordinating Employee Engagement Initiatives:
- Make sure that employees clearly understand the company’s objectives
- Create brand ambassador programs and activities within an organization
Improving Transparency and Building Trust:
- Share information that improves transparency and builds trust
- Simplify communication and reduce employee confusion and frustration
Reducing Stress During Difficult Situations:
- Deliver accurate information to the right people during times of crisis
- Prevent rumors and help reduce stress to protect the company’s reputation
Salary Insights
There are a number of different factors that influence the salary range for internal communication specialists. Just like everywhere else, years of experience and expertise can play a major role in getting higher pay. Industry is another factor that you also need to take into consideration.
According to the research, the average annual salary for internal communications specialists in the United States is around $78,000. Entry level professionals could earn around $66,671 annually and workers with more experience could make up to $114,400 per year.
However, if we take a closer look into different locations within the United States, we can see a clear difference in the pay range. Here’s the list of salaries in different states according to the reports:
- California – $95,464 per year
- New Jersey – $87,500 per year
- New York – $84,600 per year
- Georgia – $80,000 per year
- Tennessee – $75,000 per year
- Massachusetts – $70,200 per year
- Michigan – $66,000 per year
Other than the location and years of experience in the field, the size of the organization also plays a big role in getting higher compensation as an internal communications specialist.
Internal Communications Specialist Career Path
The general career path for internal communications specialists tends to be diverse and wide-ranging. With the proper expertise and experience, they can progress into roles like communications managers, directors, and marketing managers.
On the other hand, becoming an internal communications specialist starts with getting a proper educational background in the fields of journalism, public relations, or marketing to get all the essential skills to start your career journey in such a responsible role for the company.
At the same time, you must develop specific skills that are crucial for this role. The list includes employee engagement, HR, project management, corporate communications, and more.
Let’s take a closer look at the skills, qualifications, and educational requirements for an internal communications job more specifically:
Required Skills and Qualifications
When we talk about the list of skills and qualifications it takes to become a high-level internal communications specialist, we must keep in mind that this career path represents a combination of different disciplines, such as communications, content development, and technical expertise.
At the same time, internal communications specialists should have some soft skills in order to develop strategies for internal communications and boost employee engagement within the company.
Let’s have a look at the list of skills and qualifications it takes to become a successful professional in this field:
- Corporate communications
In order to properly build communication between an organization and its stakeholders, internal communications specialists must have great corporate communication skills.
This includes conducting in-depth analysis of employee surveys, supporting media- related inquiries, and improving the company’s internal communication channels. Sometimes, it is also necessary to create speeches for top management, highlighting the importance of corporate communication skills even more.
- Project management
Oftentimes, it is important to organize various activities to achieve desired results. That’s why having project management skills is crucial for internal communication specialists, as they have to organize events and distribute relevant content from time to time.
Managing marketing communications and assisting a company with its publicity efforts is another component of an internal communications specialist’s job where the project management skill comes in handy.
- Content development
Creating relevant content and managing it in various forms is another important part of being a successful internal communications specialist.
Mostly, their content-related responsibilities include creating social media materials, managing internal websites, executing internal content strategies, and sending our regular updates in a form of a content to keep employees engaged.
- Editing and proofreading
As internal communications specialists have to constantly review materials like newsletters, technical articles, and other marketing assets, having the editing and proofreading skills is an absolute necessity in this job.
You have to ensure the accuracy of the information when you are in this position and proofread copy to support company-wide communication efforts. Content quality affects a company’s reputation and it is the internal communication specialist’s job to take care of it.
- Human resources
Internal communications specialists must be closely working and collaborating with HR leadership. It’s their responsibility to manage HR communications, assist in employee training initiatives, and help with onboarding.
- Employee engagement
One of the most important elements of an internal communications specialist’s job includes boosting employee engagement within the company. This way, you can drive high-level awareness about a company’s objectives and promote different initiatives.
Having this skill helps you facilitate communication during the times of crisis as well, which has a high impact on employee’s general well-being within the company.
Educational Requirements
If you want to become an internal communications specialist, it would be beneficial to get your educational background in the fields of communications, English, journalism, marketing, public relations, or similar.
There is no specific degree requirement for this job, but it would help if your educational background was related to the field of communications, as it is one of the most prominent skills for internal communications specialists.
Many universities worldwide offer Bachelor’s and Master’s programs where you can get a good knowledge of media law, effective communication, and business ethics. Taking courses that focus on writing, public speaking, and media will only enhance your chances to further stand out in this field.
Additionally, different types of internships and volunteering opportunities can play a massive role in building your career in this field. They will help you understand all about the daily duties and responsibilities that internal communication specialists have, and give you letters of recommendation that will help you to easily land a job after your graduation from your degree.
Tips for Aspiring Internal Communication Specialists
There are a couple of tips and tricks to become a successful internal communication specialist. Let’s have a look at some steps to take to get started on this career path:
- Use every opportunity to improve your communication skills, as this will play a vital role in the success of your career. It is important to have the ability to properly deliver your message and connect with different stakeholders in an effective manner.
- Consider pursuing your studies in the field of human resources, marketing, public relations, or journalism. These types of programs will provide you with resources and experience you need to excel in this career path.
- Develop your network and maintain strong relationships with other professionals in the communications field, as it will help you to learn how to effectively communicate with different personalities and collaborate with them on various projects.
- Make sure you seek fresh opportunities in this field by joining professional associations, participating in online activities, and being present at physical events. Create strong partnerships and connections that will help you expand your knowledge and take your career to the next level.
- Practice your creativity and always look for opportunities to implement your ideas in your everyday work. Internal communications is not a static and repetitive job – it’s rather a dynamic and creative field, which constantly requires generating fresh ideas and new approaches to the problems you are trying to solve.
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