Mid-Level

Marketing Communications Manager

The brand messenger — leading communications that shape perception and build organizational reputation.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
E
C
S
A
I
R
Enterprisingleading, persuading
Conventionalorganizing, detail-oriented
Based on Holland Code framework
Job markets for Marketing Communications Managers
Employment concentration · ~400 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
What it's like

What it's like to be a Marketing Communications Manager

As a Marketing Communications Manager, you lead communications activities that build and protect organizational reputation. You're developing communications strategies, managing media relations, overseeing content creation, and ensuring consistent messaging across channels. This role owns how the organization communicates with external audiences.

Your day involves strategy and execution. You might develop messaging for an upcoming announcement, brief a spokesperson for a media interview, review content drafts, meet with leadership about communications priorities, and analyze coverage results. You need to think strategically while staying close to execution.

The challenge is managing reputation in a complex media environment. Audiences are fragmented, news cycles are fast, and social media can amplify any misstep. Success requires proactive reputation building while being ready to respond quickly when needed.

Working ConditionsHigh
AchievementHigh
RelationshipsAbove avg
IndependenceAbove avg
RecognitionAbove avg
SupportAbove avg
O*NET Work Values survey
StrategyExecution
StructuredAdaptable
ManagingContributing
CollaborativeIndependent
Org typeMedia relations emphasisTeam sizeCrisis exposureExecutive access
Marketing communications management varies by organization type. Corporate roles may emphasize investor and media relations; nonprofit might focus on advocacy and stakeholder communications. High-profile companies have more media scrutiny. Some roles manage teams; others are player-coaches who execute alongside strategy.
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Marketing Communications Managers (SOC 11-2021.00, 11-2032.00), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Exploring the Marketing Communications Manager career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit — and plan your path forward.
Explore career tools
1
Strategic communications planning
Director roles require long-term reputation strategy
2
Crisis management
Handling high-stakes situations builds leadership credibility
3
Executive advising
Senior roles involve counseling leadership on communications
What's the balance between proactive communications and reactive issues management?
How does this role work with executives and leadership?
What does the team structure look like?
How much media relations versus content/marketing communications?
What are the biggest communications priorities and challenges right now?
✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$79K–$208K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
461K
U.S. Employment
+5.8%
10yr Growth
41K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$76K$72K$68K$65K$61K201920202021202220232024$61K$76K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

Critical ThinkingActive LearningReading ComprehensionSpeakingActive ListeningSocial PerceptivenessJudgment and Decision MakingPersuasionMonitoringNegotiation
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
11-2021.0011-2032.00

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.