Occupation intelligence

communication manager

Snapshot

Shape how the world perceives an organization as a Communication Manager! This expert-level role involves crafting and executing communication strategies that connect with both employees and the wider public, ensuring a consistent and truthful message.

Summary

As a Communication Manager, you’ll be the architect of an organization’s voice. Your days will be spent developing comprehensive communication plans, coordinating projects, and ensuring all messaging—from internal memos to press releases and marketing materials—is clear, consistent, and aligned with the organization’s goals. You’ll manage both internal and external communications, acting as a key point of contact and ensuring employees are informed and engaged while maintaining a positive public image.

Key responsibilities
  • • Develop and implement communication strategies to promote the organization’s mission and services.
  • • Coordinate communication projects, ensuring timely and effective delivery.
  • • Manage internal communications, including employee newsletters, intranet updates, and addressing employee inquiries.
39%
Resilience Score · 2026 (Higher is better)
Master's or equivalent level 51% AI exposure
Start Career DNA assessment
Labour market

Where this occupation is in demand

Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.

Shortage reportedSurplus reportedReported in another yearNot covered by this source

Deeper colour: reported the same way in more consecutive years.

Figures cover Administrative and commercial managers — 69 jobs including this one.

2 of 9 in shortage202520 of 25 growing613kopenings to 2035

In shortage: Czechia, Italy.

Longest-running shortage: Italy, 3 years.

Select a place on the map to see its figures.

About this source

Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.

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Quick fit check

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NexFuture™

Future Outlook for communication manager

The outlook for communication manager reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.

How are these scores calculated?

The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.

Play the future

How could communication manager change as AI adoption grows?

This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.

Significant task-level transformation is estimated in 12 years (around 2038) under the selected Expected Pace scenario.
~35%
Resilience
Automation Risk
EXP~55%
Human advantage
MOAT~40%

Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.

2026
2033
2043
AI Adoption Speed:

How AI may change this role

Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.

Human-owned 39% Human-owned
What still depends on people
  • apply diplomatic principles
  • protect client interests
  • use different communication channels
The Human Edge To stay ahead in this role, focus on corporate social responsibility and corporate sustainability. These human-centric skills are the hardest for AI to replicate in the next 20 years.
Assist 17% Assist
Where AI may become a co-pilot
  • analyse internal factors of companies
  • analyse external factors of companies
  • use intranet
Automate 51% Automate
Tasks most exposed to automation
  • compile content
  • proofread text
  • apply grammar and spelling rules
Detailed Analysis

Vital Signs & AI Vectors

AI Exposure Vectors

0-100%
Generative AI 17%

Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools

Cognitive Software 11%

Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation

AI / Machine Learning 9%

Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks

Robotic & Physical Automation 0%

Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement

Technical Details
Methodology: NexFuture v3.0 Sources: O*NET® 30.3, ESCO v1.2.1 Updated: Aug 2026

NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.

Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.

Day in the life

What people in this role usually do

Management & Entrepreneurship

Day in the life

A typical day as a communication manager

09
09:00 · Morning
organise participation in local or international events
Apply for and secure a place to participate in local or international exhibitions and competitions.
10
10:30 · Mid-morning
use intranet
Use a private network within an organisation to store information and improve communication and collaboration between employees.
12
12:00 · Midday
advise on communication strategies
Provide companies and organisations with consulting services concerning their internal and external communication plans and their representation, including their presence online. Recommend improvements in communication and make sure that important information reaches all employees and that their questions are answered.
14
14:00 · Afternoon
advise on public image
Advise a client such as a politician, artist or another individual dealing with the public on how to present themselves in a way which would gain most favour from the general public or a target audience.
15
15:30 · Late afternoon
analyse external factors of companies
Perform research and analysis of the external factor pertaining to companies such as consumers, position in the market, competitors, and political situation.
17
17:00 · Wrap-up
analyse internal factors of companies
Research and understand various internal factors that influence the operation of companies such as its culture, strategic foundation, products, prices, and available resources.

Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.

Software & Technologies & Knowledge areas
Software & Technologies
Adobe AcrobatAdobe After EffectsAdobe Creative Cloud softwareAdobe DistillerAdobe DreamweaverAdobe IllustratorAdobe InDesignAdobe PageMakerAdobe PhotoshopAirtableApple Final Cut ProApple iDVDApple iMovieBlackbaud eTapestryBlackbaud The Raiser's EdgeCanvaCorel WordPerfect Office SuiteDrupalFacebookFileMaker Pro
Knowledge areas
  • corporate social responsibility

    The handling or managing of business processes in a responsible and ethical manner considering the economic responsibility towards shareholders as equally important as the responsibility towards environmental and social stakeholders.

  • corporate sustainability

    A business practice to conduct long-term sustainable growth by seeking environmental, economic, and social strategies as its three main pillars.

  • ethics of sharing work through social media

    The ethics around the appropriate use of social networks and media channels through which to share your work.

Cross-sector skills
  • business communication
  • communication principles
  • diplomatic principles
Essential skills
developing operational policies and procedures
  • integrate strategic foundation in daily performance

    Reflect on the strategic foundation of companies, meaning their mission, vision, and values in order to integrate this foundation in the performance of the job position.

  • develop communications strategies

    Manage or contribute to the conception and implementation of an organisation's internal and external communications plans and presentation, including its online presence.

advising and consulting
  • advise on communication strategies

    Provide companies and organisations with consulting services concerning their internal and external communication plans and their representation, including their presence online. Recommend improvements in communication and make sure that important information reaches all employees and that their questions are answered.

  • advise on public image

    Advise a client such as a politician, artist or another individual dealing with the public on how to present themselves in a way which would gain most favour from the general public or a target audience.

mediating and resolving disputes
  • apply diplomatic principles

    Apply the processes involved in the creation of international treaties by conducting negotiations between representatives of different countries, protecting the home government's interests, and facilitating compromise.

developing instructive or promotional materials
  • prepare presentation material

    Prepare the documents, slide shows, posters and any other media needed for specific audiences.

advocating for individual or community needs
  • protect client interests

    Protect the interests and needs of a client by taking necessary actions, and researching all possibilities, to ensure that the client obtains their favoured outcome.

communicating with colleagues and clients
  • use different communication channels

    Make use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.

planning events and programmes
  • organise participation in local or international events

    Apply for and secure a place to participate in local or international exhibitions and competitions.

technical or academic writing
  • proofread text

    Read a text thoroughly, search for, review and correct errors to ensure content is valid for publishing.

Career progression

Growth Pathways & Similar Roles

Explore typical career progression paths, adjacent skills, and similar roles to plan your next transition.

Career landscape

Where does communication manager fit?

This role
communication manager This role

Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between internal and external communications in this role?
Internal communications focus on keeping employees informed and engaged, addressing their questions, and fostering a positive work environment. External communications are directed towards the public, media, and stakeholders, aiming to build brand awareness and manage the organization’s reputation.
Does this role require a background in journalism or public relations?
While experience in journalism or public relations is beneficial, it’s not always essential. Strong writing, communication, and project management skills are key, along with a strategic mindset and an understanding of how to craft compelling narratives.
How does a Communication Manager ensure consistent messaging across different platforms?
A Communication Manager establishes clear brand guidelines and messaging frameworks. They work closely with various teams to ensure all communications adhere to these standards, regularly reviewing materials and providing feedback to maintain a unified voice.
Communication Manager — is there a shortage in Europe?
No. In the 2025 ELA/EURES edition, a surplus was reported in 7 of the 9 European countries that assessed this occupation group: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark and 3 more. 2 countries reported a shortage. These assessments are published per occupation group rather than per job title.
Communication Manager — what does it pay in the United States?
$138,520 a year at the median, as of 2025-05. State medians run from $72,290 to $197,600. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a United States figure and not a projection for Europe.