A guide on how to become a Communications Advisor
Words are free, but when it comes to business, they’ll cost you if they aren’t used wisely.
With communication being so integral to modern life, it’s never been more important for businesses to craft and convey clear, authentic and strategic messages. These messages have the power to shape business success and as such, it’s important for a company’s voice to be entrusted to skilled advisors.
Enter the communications advisor – the architect responsible for turning complex information into compelling narratives.
With the role gaining more and more prominence, this blog will unveil the roles and responsibilities of these effective communicators, along with the requirements for those looking to become one.
If you’ve found yourself asking, “what does a communications advisor do?”, read on to find out why they are central to reputation management, brand storytelling and organisational success.
Successful marketing and communications are essential for business growth. In light of recent statistics, it’s a sentiment that’s clearly shared by businesses.
According to The CMO Survey’s annual report, about 72% of marketers reported that the importance of marketing in their companies increased during the last year. Similarly, the Australian Bureau of Statistics cited that employment in the marketing industry is projected to grow by 11.5% from 2020 to 2025.
So, if you find yourself contemplating a career as a communications advisor, know that it’s a pathway that’s likely to be filled with plenty of opportunities in the years to come.
With the future of the role seemingly fruitful, let’s take a moment to unpack the common question, “what does a communications advisor do?”
If you have a passion for spreading important messages and turning strategy into action, a communications advisor role could be worth considering.
These strategic communicators carefully craft messages to engage stakeholders and boost an organisation’s image. Combining communications and public relations, these professionals seek to achieve business goals through considered communication that elicits change or positive opinion.
With businesses recognising the need to innovate and differentiate their engagement with customers and stakeholders, communications advisors are becoming indispensable in their efforts to connect with important parties.
If you’ve ever wondered “what does a communications advisor do?”, it’s important to understand their core responsibilities. These day-to-day responsibilities will help you to determine whether your skills, ambitions and qualifications are well matches to the role.
Develop, execute and evaluate communication plans.
Manage and monitor internal and external channels of communication (including written and digital).
Manage media relations and develop integrated media strategies.
Project manage the delivery of events and campaigns.
Coordinate crisis communication.
Provide strategic counsel to senior leadership teams.
Prepare compelling, strategically aligned content for a range of mediums.
Forge strong relationships with strategic partners to optimise collaboration.
Fusing creative license with critical thinking, communications advisors contribute to brand development, reputation management and the general success of a wide variety of organisations and businesses.
Interested in current job openings and pay rates? Check out Robert Half’s dedicated Jobs Page
With communications advisors attracting significant attention from Australian businesses, it’s no surprise that many graduates and professionals are intrigued by the role.
According to Robert Half 2023 Salary Guide, communications advisor salaries in Australia begin at $76,500 and reach up to $97,500, with a midpoint salary of $87,000.
While this sought-after role can attract competitive compensation packages, it’s important to understand that your earning potential is directly impacted by your level of experience, education and the industry you work in.
If you’ve wondered “what does a communications advisor do?”, you may have asked the question, “how do I become one?”
Below are some tips on how to equip yourself with the skills and experience that will set you on the road to success:
Employers prioritise candidates with a degree – this includes a bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations or related field. While a body of work is valuable, degrees help to lay a solid foundation for core competencies like professional communication and media best practices.
Postgraduate qualifications, such as a Master of Strategic Communication, could be worth considering. While it is certainly not essential, it could help to sharpen your competitive edge as a communications advisor.
It’s important to understand that communications advisor positions are typically awarded to professionals with 3-5 years of experience working within communications teams. Proven experience is critical and entry-level communications positions can help to kickstart your career in the field. Positions such as communications officer or, public relations officer, can expose you to the mechanics of communication campaigns, plans and activities to grow your experience and knowledge over time.
Always be proactive in your attempts to sharpen your technical and practical communications skills by taking on specific communications responsibilities where possible. Once you have grown your competencies and have proven results under your belt, you can progress to applying for more senior, advisory roles.
Communications advisors are lucky enough to find opportunities within most sectors. From government to global brands, finance to fashion, organisations everywhere are in need of communications counsel.
If you have a particular interest in any specific organisation or industry, take the time to understand how you can upskill yourself in a way that will increase your value proposition. For example, if you’re aiming for a position in finance, look at ways you can expand your finance consciousness. Certifications, additional study and finance related work experience will show potential employers that you have the knowledge and tenacity to advance your career.
Emma Sestic, Associate Director at RH, says education and experience alone are not enough in today’s competitive market. “While degrees and work history are good on paper, employers need to see that you have strong communications advisor capabilities. When I am vetting candidates for these positions, I am looking for a proven track record of resilience, relationship building, exceptional planning and problem-solving abilities, and, above all, effective communication.”
Emma has been vetting and placing candidates for more than 15 years. She is a recruitment specialist and trusted advisor to her clients and candidates in marketing, HR and business support.
Related: How to become a content manager
With so many people wondering “what does a communications advisor do?”, the role has found itself at the centre of many myths and misconceptions. Here we dispel some of the common misconceptions surrounding this important role.
Incorrect – press releases are just one platform that communications advisors are responsible for within a very broad spectrum of responsibilities.
Incorrect – communications advisors are equally responsible for optimising internal communication to mobilise an organisation’s workforce.
Incorrect – the success of a communications advisor hinges on their ability to be proactive. Their strategic mindset helps them to identify threats and opportunities while offering valuable insights to guide an organisation’s communication efforts.
Incorrect – while it may be one facet of the role, communications advisors largely work behind the scenes to develop and execute communications strategies.
Incorrect – businesses of all scales rely on effective communication. Counsel from a communications advisor is just as valuable for as start up as it is for a global brand.
With communications being central to organisational success, communications advisors play a pivotal role in engineering strategic, impactful and relevant messages. If you’ve ever asked, “what does a communications advisor do?” know that this nuanced role requires the perfect balance of skills, qualifications and experience to craft important messages and nurture an organisation’s image. If these factors are in alignment, you’ll have a greater chance of making your mark in this coveted career.
