Head of Brand & Communications

Career Guide
Leads brand strategy and corporate communications to shape reputation, drive awareness, and ensure consistent messaging across channels. Oversees PR, media relations, executive and internal communications, and brand governance while managing teams, agencies, budgets, and measurement of brand impact.

Key Responsibilities

  • Define brand strategy, positioning, and architecture
  • Lead corporate communications, media relations, and PR
  • Own executive and internal communications programs
  • Plan and oversee integrated campaigns across channels
  • Establish crisis communications plans and response protocols
  • Monitor brand health, sentiment, and share of voice
  • Manage agencies, vendors, and marketing/PR budgets
  • Ensure brand governance and messaging consistency

Career Progression

Can Lead To
Vice President of Communications
Vice President of Brand
Chief Communications Officer (CCO)
Chief Marketing Officer (CMO)
Transition Opportunities
Public Affairs Director
Investor Relations Director
Product Marketing Director
Brand Strategy Consultant

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills
Crisis communication planning and live incident responseEnterprise-level brand strategy and architectureAdvanced media relations and spokesperson trainingBrand health measurement and analytics
Development SuggestionsComplete APR or AMA PCM prep; build a portfolio by leading a pro-bono crisis plan and brand refresh for a nonprofit, and instrument KPIs via GA4 and a brand tracking survey.

Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range
Entry Level$110,000–$140,000
Mid Level$150,000–$200,000
Senior Level$200,000–$280,000
Growth Trend
stable

Companies Hiring

Major Employers
AmazonPfizerJPMorgan Chase & Co.
Industry Sectors
TechnologyFinancial ServicesHealthcareConsumer Goods

Recommended Next Steps

1
Pursue APR (PRSA) or AMA PCM; add a GA4/brand measurement course to demonstrate analytics rigor.
2
Create a portfolio: messaging framework, crisis playbook, and a case study showing SOV/brand lift results from a campaign.
3
Join PRSA/AMA chapters, attend media panels, and conduct 5–10 informational interviews with CCO/CMO leaders.