Communications Officer
Also advertised as: Communications Assistant, Communications Officer, Content and Communications Officer, Internal Communications Officer, Media Officer, PR Officer
Writes and manages the messages an organisation sends to staff, media and the public.
What the job involves
Communications officers protect and explain an organisation's voice. You write press releases and newsletters, manage internal communications, handle media enquiries and support leaders with announcements. Public sector and charity employers hire heavily in this area.
Typical responsibilities
- Write press releases, articles and newsletters
- Manage internal communications channels
- Handle media and public enquiries
- Support leaders with announcements
- Maintain tone of voice and brand
Common employers
- NHS trusts
- Councils
- Charities
- Universities
- Housing associations
Pay, hours and working environment
Typical pay
£24,000 – £30,000 a year
With experience
£34,000 – £45,000 a year
Typical hours
37.5 hours, occasional out-of-hours for incidents
Working environment
Office based with hybrid working
Remote working
hybrid
Demand for this work
steady
Pay ranges are indicative guidance drawn from advertised UK vacancies and published careers information. They are not an offer, and actual pay varies by employer, location and experience.
Skills and qualifications
Core skills
- Writing and editing
- Media relations
- Internal communications
- Judgement under pressure
- Stakeholder management
Transferable skills you may already have
- Clear written English
- Summarising information
- Working with senior people
Requirements employers ask for
- Writing and editing
- Media relations
- Internal communications
- Judgement under pressure
- Stakeholder management
- No formal qualification required
Useful but not essential
- Clear written English
- Summarising information
- Working with senior people
- CIPR Foundation Award
- NCTJ for media-heavy roles
Helpful qualifications
- CIPR Foundation Award
- NCTJ for media-heavy roles
Ways into this career
A degree is only one route. Where an apprenticeship, work-experience or qualification route exists, it is listed here alongside the academic option.
Apprenticeships and work-based routes
- Public Relations and Communications Assistant (Level 4)
Degree and college routes
- Related subject: English
- Related subject: Journalism
- Related subject: Communications
- Related subject: Politics
Where this career can lead
next
Communications Manager
next
Head of Communications
next
Public Affairs Manager
The good parts and the hard parts
What people enjoy
- Meaningful work in public service organisations
- Strong writing skills are rewarded
- Hybrid friendly
What people find hard
- Crisis work can be stressful
- Sign-off processes can be slow
Common questions
- Do you need a degree to become a communications officer?
- No. As well as degree routes, this career can be entered through an apprenticeship or by building experience and qualifications on the job. preferred
- How much does a communications officer earn in the UK?
- Typical advertised pay runs from £24,000 to £30,000 a year, rising towards £45,000 with experience. Figures are indicative guidance rather than an offer.
- What skills transfer into this career?
- Skills that transfer well include Clear written English, Summarising information, Working with senior people.
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Where this information comes from
- National Careers Service
- Institute for Apprenticeships
Last reviewed 14 September 2026.
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