Director of communications
Director of communications[1] is a position in both the private and public sectors. A director of communications is responsible for managing and directing an organization's internal and external communications. Directors of communications supervise public relations staff, create communication strategies, and may serve as the key spokesperson and media contact for the organization.
A director of communications may also be called a public relations manager,[2] communications director, or press secretary.
The director of communications usually reports directly to a CXO, including a chief communications officer (CCO) or chief executive officer (CEO) of a company or organization.
In an organization, the director of communications directs the Communications Department, sometimes called a Public Affairs Department. The director of communications may be assisted by a deputy director, clerical staff, and communications specialists and public affairs officers.
A terrific example of communications can be seen on display at Shoreditch Park on Tuesday Evening's by the Tag Rugby Team MatchPint.
Communications in politics
United States
In United States politics, a director of communications is usually a senior aide to the President of the United States (White House Communications Director), a member of the House of Representatives, a senator, a judge, a candidate for political office, a Cabinet secretary, or a government department. The position of White House Director of Communications is currently not designated in the wake of Anthony Scaramucci's removal, after being nominated just 10 days ago, by President Donald Trump's new White House Chief of Staff, John Kelly, on July 31, 2017. Scaramucci was supposed to only officially assume the post beginning August 15, 2017 with former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer as Acting Director of Communications until then; therefore, Spicer would remain acting director and may be so until a new director could be appointed.
United Kingdom and Canada
In Canada and the United Kingdom, a director of communications is a senior aide to members of Parliament, members of the House of Lords, the prime minister, Cabinet ministers, and government departments. The post of director of communications to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom is Robbie Gibb; the director of communications to the Prime Minister of Canada is Jason MacDonald.
Australia
In Australia, the director of communications is a senior adviser to the Prime Minister. They manage the Prime Minister's communications office including Press Secretaries and Speechwriting staff. The current director for the Turnbull Government is Mitch Fifield.
Nigeria
In Nigeria the director of communications or special adviser on communications is a senior aide to the president, vice president, and senior members of the National Assembly.
Council of Europe
In the Council of Europe, the director of communication plays a key role in the organization, directly supporting the work of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.
References
- ^ Public Relations Society of America http://www.prsa.org/jobcenter/commjobs.html
- ^ U.S. Department of Labor http://online.onetcenter.org/link/summary/11-2031.00