How to Be Senior Internal Communications Manager - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Oct 11, 2020 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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The influx of technology in the workplace has had a significant effect on the role of internal communications managers. With the advancement of digital tools, internal communications managers have had to become even more strategic and creative in order to effectively reach employees. They must be able to quickly adapt to the changing needs of the organization and its employees, while creating engaging and effective content that resonates with their target audiences.

This has resulted in a need for increased collaboration between internal communications managers and other departments, such as Human Resources, Marketing, and IT, in order to ensure that the message is communicated clearly and efficiently. Furthermore, internal communications managers must now be expected to have a deep understanding of social media platforms, analytics, and digital trends in order to create the most effective content.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelors Degree. Most employers require Senior Internal Communications Managers to have a bachelors degree in communications, public relations, business, or a related field.
Gain Relevant Work Experience. Employers typically require at least five years of experience working in internal communications positions prior to becoming a Senior Internal Communications Manager.
Obtain Professional Certifications. Professional certifications such as Certified Internal Communications Professional (CICP) are available and can help demonstrate competency in the field.
Develop Interpersonal Skills. Senior Internal Communications Managers must have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to develop relationships with stakeholders and colleagues.
Develop Technical Skills. Senior Internal Communications Managers should be proficient in the use of various communications technology such as desktop publishing, web design, and video editing software.
Participate in Professional Organizations. Joining professional organizations such as the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) or the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) can help keep professionals up-to-date on the latest trends in internal communications and provide networking opportunities.

Successful internal communication is essential for any organization to function effectively. When employees are kept informed and up-to-date with relevant information, they are able to complete tasks more efficiently and with a higher degree of skill. This leads to higher employee engagement, increased productivity, and greater job satisfaction.

effective internal communication can improve collaboration among teams, create a better understanding of company objectives and policies, and foster a sense of unity across the organization. Furthermore, when employees are well-informed, they are more likely to be motivated, loyal to the company, and committed to its success. Therefore, a senior internal communications manager is vital to ensure that the organizations communication needs are met, by developing and implementing effective strategies for communicating with employees.

You may want to check Senior Public Relations and Communications Manager, Senior Communications Manager, and Senior Media Communications Manager for alternative.

Job Description

Develop and implement internal communication strategies, plans, and programs to meet organizational objectives.
Create and deliver effective internal communications to ensure employees are informed and engaged.
Track, analyze, and report on the effectiveness of internal communication initiatives.
Act as primary contact between internal stakeholders and senior leaders.
Manage relationships with external vendors and agencies to ensure effective communication campaigns.
Develop and implement training and development programs to ensure employee understanding and compliance with organizational policies.
Produce content for employee newsletters, intranet, and other internal communications channels.
Identify and create opportunities to improve employee engagement and morale.
Build strong relationships with key stakeholders to ensure understanding of organizational objectives.
Manage internal communications budget.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills
Ability to effectively communicate complex messages
Proficiency in developing internal communications plans and strategies
Knowledge of employee engagement best practices
Experience in event planning, project management, and organizational change management
Familiarity with digital marketing and social media tools
Understanding of corporate culture and values
Ability to think and act strategically
Creative problem-solving skills
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
Attention to detail and accuracy
Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite applications

Effective communication is essential for any successful organization, and having an experienced Internal Communications Manager is key to ensuring a companys message is shared effectively. A successful Internal Communications Manager must have a variety of skills to be successful, including the ability to create, edit, and distribute content in a timely manner. They must have an understanding of the companys culture and the environment, and they should be able to think strategically and creatively when dealing with employee relations.

They should also be able to develop and execute effective employee engagement strategies. Furthermore, they must have strong project management and organizational skills, as well as the ability to multitask and handle multiple projects at once. With these skills, an Internal Communications Manager can help ensure that employees are informed, inspired, and motivated.

When a company has a well-developed internal communications program, it can lead to increased productivity, improved morale, and higher engagement amongst staff members.

Creative Communications Specialist, Communications Intern, and Communications Designer are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in developing and executing internal communication strategies?
Describe a successful internal communications campaign you have led in the past.
How would you handle a situation in which an internal message has been misconstrued?
What techniques do you use to ensure that internal messages are delivered effectively?
How do you ensure the accuracy and integrity of internal communications?
How do you stay up to date on the latest trends in internal communications?
How would you manage multiple stakeholders when developing an internal communication strategy?
What is your experience with using data to measure the effectiveness of internal communications campaigns?
What methods do you use to create engaging content for internal communications?
What challenges have you faced in your past roles related to internal communications, and how did you overcome them?

Common Tools in Industry

Microsoft Teams. Microsoft Teams is an online collaboration platform that allows teams to communicate and collaborate on projects in real-time. (eg: Teams chat, file sharing, video conferencing).
Yammer. Yammer is an enterprise social network that enables employees to stay connected and collaborate on projects. (eg: Sharing documents, creating polls, and using groups).
Social Media Management Tools. Social media management tools allow organizations to manage all of their social accounts in one place. (eg: Hootsuite, SproutSocial, Buffer).
Email Marketing Tools. Email marketing tools allow organizations to send automated email campaigns and track their performance. (eg: MailChimp, Constant Contact, Campaign Monitor).
Intranet Platforms. Intranet platforms are internal websites that allow organizations to share company news, documents, and other resources with employees. (eg: SharePoint, Jive, Confluence).
Employee Engagement Platforms. Employee engagement platforms are designed to help organizations measure and track employee engagement levels. (eg: Culture Amp, TINYPulse).
Video Conferencing Tools. Video conferencing tools allow organizations to conduct virtual meetings with employees from all over the world. (eg: Zoom, Google Hangouts, Skype).
Survey Tools. Survey tools allow organizations to collect feedback from employees and measure the success of internal communications campaigns. (eg: SurveyMonkey, Typeform, Qualtrics).

Professional Organizations to Know

International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)
Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)
International Association of Public Relations (IAPR)
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
International Public Relations Association (IPRA)
International Communication Association (ICA)
American Marketing Association (AMA)
International Public Relations Research Conference (IPRRC)
American Advertising Federation (AAF)
Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC)

We also have Corporate Communications Coordinator, Digital Communications Coordinator, and Social Media and Communications Coordinator jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Internal Communications. The process of sharing information and messages among members of an organization. It is typically used to ensure employees are knowledgeable about the organizations strategy, products, and processes.
Employee Engagement. The level of commitment and involvement employees have towards their work and the organization.
Change Management. The process of managing organizational changes in order to achieve desired results.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The practice of businesses taking responsibility for their impacts on society and the environment.
Crisis Management. The process of responding to an event that can have a negative impact on an organization's reputation and operations.
Employee Wellbeing. Measures taken to ensure employees' physical and mental health.
Branding. The process of creating a recognizable identity for an organization or product through the use of logos, slogans, and other elements.
Media Relations. The practice of building relationships with journalists, reporters, and other media outlets in order to generate positive press coverage for an organization.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the role of a Senior Internal Communications Manager? A1: A Senior Internal Communications Manager is responsible for creating, managing, and executing internal communication strategies to ensure effective and consistent communication with employees within an organization. Q2: What skills are required for a Senior Internal Communications Manager? A2: A Senior Internal Communications Manager should have strong written and verbal communication skills, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to develop creative ideas that engage employees. Additionally, they should have experience in developing and leading teams, as well as knowledge of internal communication best practices. Q3: What are some common tasks of a Senior Internal Communications Manager? A3: Common tasks of a Senior Internal Communications Manager include developing internal communications plans, creating content for newsletters, intranets, websites and other digital platforms, managing projects, and evaluating the effectiveness of communications initiatives. Q4: How many hours per week does a Senior Internal Communications Manager typically work? A4: The amount of hours a Senior Internal Communications Manager works per week can vary greatly depending on the organization. Generally, they should expect to work around 40 hours per week. Q5: What is the average salary of a Senior Internal Communications Manager? A5: The average salary of a Senior Internal Communications Manager ranges from $75,000 to $90,000 per year, depending on experience and location.

Web Resources

Senior Manager Internal Communication, Office of Communications jobs.utsouthwestern.edu
Internal Communications Manager | Human Resources at PCC www.pcc.edu
Senior Communications and Media Relations Manager - 116083 employment.ucsd.edu