Head of Employee Communications
Career GuideKey Responsibilities
- Set the employee communications strategy and yearly communication plan
- Partner with executive leaders to shape clear messages on priorities and change
- Lead organization wide announcements and leader talking points
- Own internal communication channels such as intranet, email updates, town halls, and collaboration platforms
- Create communication plans for major changes such as reorganizations, policy updates, and new initiatives
- Build and manage an editorial calendar for internal content
- Coach leaders and managers on effective communication with their teams
- Oversee employee listening efforts such as surveys, focus groups, and feedback loops
- Measure communication impact using engagement metrics and employee feedback
- Manage a team and vendors, including writers, editors, and event support
Top Skills for Success
Executive Writing
Message Strategy
Change Communication
Stakeholder Management
Leadership Coaching
Editorial Planning
Crisis Communication
Employee Engagement
Communication Measurement
Team Leadership
Career Progression
Can Lead To
Director of Internal Communications
Director of Corporate Communications
Director of Employee Experience
Director of People Communications
Transition Opportunities
Vice President of Communications
Chief Communications Officer
Head of Corporate Affairs
Head of Employee Experience
Common Skill Gaps
Often Missing Skills
Communication MeasurementChange CommunicationExecutive PresenceChannel GovernanceEmployee ListeningContent Operations
Development SuggestionsBuild a simple measurement approach tied to business outcomes, lead at least one major change communication plan end to end, practice executive advising in high stakes situations, and formalize channel standards so content is consistent, timely, and easy to find.
Salary & Demand
Median Salary Range
Entry LevelUSD 140,000 to 180,000
Mid LevelUSD 180,000 to 230,000
Senior LevelUSD 230,000 to 320,000
Growth Trend
Steady demand, with increased focus during periods of change, hybrid work, and business transformation. Hiring is strongest in larger organizations and fast scaling companies.Companies Hiring
Major Employers
GoogleMicrosoftAmazonAppleMetaSalesforceNetflixJPMorgan ChaseGoldman SachsDeloitteAccenturePfizer
Industry Sectors
TechnologyFinancial ServicesHealthcareManufacturingRetailProfessional ServicesMedia and EntertainmentEnergy
Recommended Next Steps
1
Create a portfolio of internal campaigns showing goals, messages, channels, and results2
Develop a standard communication plan template for leaders to use during change3
Audit internal channels and propose improvements with clear ownership and metrics4
Strengthen executive writing with short, clear updates and leader talking points5
Run an employee listening cycle and share actions taken based on feedback6
Network with communications leaders in your target industries and company sizes