What’s it all about then?

As a Communications Co-ordinator you’ll enhance your company’s visibility and public image by implementing the communications strategy.

You’ll be using a variety of marketing communications tools and channels to deliver the business’ message to the general public, both directly and through the media.

That means you’ll be helping with the development of websites, brochures,  advertising, on-pack promotions marketing campaigns and briefing documents.

You might also write speeches for top managers to deliver and even arrange and deliver in-house communications training.

What might I be doing?

Your actual tasks could include:

• Writing and distributing press releases
• Managing the communications budget
• Updating the company website and twitter feed
• Negotiate contracts with external contractors
• Producing the company newsletter and other information
• Developing messages for use by company representatives
• Acting as company spokesperson for media relations
• Ensuring that company messages are consistently relayed
• Planning company events
• Facilitating site tours and other similar events
• Presenting to conferences

What will be expected of me?

You’ll be expected to have excellent written English and spoken skills and be able to analyse information quickly and succinctly.

You’ll be managing multiple communications channels and you will need to be very well organised to balance everything effectively.

As deadlines will be tight most of the time, you will be expected to produce accurate information in a timely manner and you will need to be an accomplished proof reader so that all of the stuff you or others write makes perfect sense.

You will also be extremely computer literate and familiar with various presentation software programmes.

You’ll also need to stay abreast of everything happening within your company and also research what competitors are doing and take action accordingly.

You’ll be expected to find solutions to problems as they arise and also to be aware of new information channels so that these can be exploited.

And of course you’ll be a fantastic people person as that’s the crux of the job – communicating with people and influencing their behaviour and attitudes to your company’s products.

What can I expect?

Although you’re core hours will be normal office hours and you’ll spend most of the day in an office working in front of your computer, there are of often significant out of hours working requirements attending events and conferences etc.

There may be some travel involved as well but you’ll stay in touch at all times - you can also expect to be contacted for new comment at any time so you must be available throughout the week and sometimes at weekends.

What about the pay?

This will depend on your proven experience but you will earn in excess of £25,000 with senior communications staff making far more than that figure.

These figures are given as a guide.

What qualifications do I need to get in?

You’ll need a degree in subjects like Marketing, Business, Public Relations, English, Economics, Journalism or similar and it’s likely you’ll need some years of experience within the communications environment before you step into a role such as this.

It’s possible that you commenced employment as a graduate trainee with your company and the experience you gained as part of a planned company graduate programme may have included some exposure to marketing, sales or communications – all this will help.

Although in most cases a postgraduate qualification is not an entry requirement, a relevant Masters degree might help give you the edge with some employers as will Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA) or Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) qualifications.

Anything else I might need to know?

Yes, the role of communications coordinator is one often outsourced by smaller and medium-sized food companies so you may also find work within a specialist communications agency serving the sector.

Your career could develop towards senior marketing or PR roles with a proven background of success.