INDUSTRY STATS
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Top Executives positions are at a 8% growth rate, which is as fast as average. With that said, there are currently 2,704,400 jobs in the market right now. The total number of jobs is expected to increase by 209,500 to 2,913,900 in the period of 2020-30.
What’s more, the median annual wage for the Top Executives jobs was $107,680 in May 2020. The lowest 10% earned less than $45,850, and the highest 10% more than $208,000.
Our conclusion? The Top Executives job market is wide open for candidates.
Top director of communications sections that make the best resume
- Header
- Professional summary
- Experience (with numbers and results)
- Relevant skills
- Education
- Certifications
What to write in your Director of Communications experience section
Director of Communications resume's job experience checklist:
- Use 4-6 bullet points per job title;
- Don’t go further than a decade behind when describing your job history, unless you’re applying for an executive position;
- Combine job responsibilities as well as achievements with numbers in results when you describe your past work;
- Start each sentence with a power verb and avoid overused buzzwords;
- Use either C-A-R or S-T-A-R methodology, when describing your experience.
The work experience samples below come from real Director of Communications resumes that got people hired at top companies. You can use them as an inspiration to build your own resume:
- Set strategic direction for communications, marketing and government relations planning
- Set annual budget for communications, marketing, and government relations
- Lead creation of strategic plan for CAC
- Plan and implement communications and government relations plan for association
- Supervise high-budget public policy awareness campaign
- Engage with stakeholders on matters relating to coal industry
- Led communication efforts for electronic health record optimization, an approved Apple campus store, and other high-profile initiatives
- Rebranded the IT functional domain to include informatics and analytics while facilitating change managment during dramatic organizational restructuring
- Positioned the Office of the Chief Information Officer as a leader in innovation through digital marketing campaigns
- Nomitated by industry peers to the current pro bono role.
- Developed and provided support to the new brand and reputational strategy.
- Conducted the first communication strategy having launched new website, communication channels and increasing LinkedIn followers by 12%.
- Developed Institute's first congress in Brazil with over 150 participants and +30 speakers.
- Manage the Institute's media relations within country, having participated in webinars, interviews and contributed with articles.
- Positioned company as a leader in digital health and positive business & organizational culture
- Launched new website through two organizational shifts and increased website traffic by more than 15%
- Grew social media channels by over 100% and increased user and partner engagement by over 150%
- Built measurement program to track performance of online communications to report results and excavate insights
- Created internal communications program that increased staff awareness and earned praise from CEO and other senior leaders
- Spokesperson/Press Officer for all external and crisis communications.
- Produced and managed communications and integrated marketing campaigns for live performances and digital brands (O!) including select co-production releases for nation's flagship repertory theatre, with $44 million annual budget.
- Developed and managed communications and marketing campaigns across all digital media: *Social media campaigns *Managing external media agencies *Identifying key promotional opportunities and securing cross-promotional partners, *Liaising with Artistic Production, Operations and Finance departments.
- Positioned company as a leader in digital health and positive business & organizational culture
- Developed strategy for editorial and business content across themes, formats, and channels
- Grew social media channels by over 100% and increased user and partner engagement by over 150%
- Launched new website that increased traffic by more than 15%
- Led four-person communications team for a human-rights organisation dedicated to improving access to technology among Cuban youth
- Developed and implemented press strategy and outreach for US and international press; including Spanish language media channels to shift US public opinion towards engagement with Cuba
- Organized the co-sponsorship with ABC News and Univision of a televised historic social media engagement event—a tweetup with a Cuban blogger and activist that attracted 30,000 active participants
- Identified opportunities to engage with key stakeholders in the US tech industry, developed partnerships with Google, Twitter and Facebook and organized a hackathon to generate media coverage and awareness of issues of issues affecting youth in Cuba
- Guest speaker at Freedom House in Washington DC
- Responsible for developing, writing and overseeing all internal and external corporate communications; ensuring message continuity, tone of voice, content accuracy and a clear representation of company values
- Conceptualized, developed and implemented creative marketing strategies to increase business and awareness of company’s services
- Editor and Content Developer for corporate website
- Increased public school leads by 200% YOY within first nine months
- Doubled attendance at in-house virtual conferences in 2021, generating more than 200 qualified sales leads
- Leader of internal and external communications and public relations efforts
- Manager of all internal events including three in-house conferences with 1,750+ attendees
- Leader of communications, public relations and marketing efforts for school district of 9,000 students and 1,100 employees
- Led branding and outreach efforts including website design, logo creation and social media expansion
- Developed innovative media content, including animated videos and interactive digital stories
- Secured high-profile media placements in Forbes, CBS, WGN and more
- Hired as change catalyst to install forward-thinking strategy for corporate communications, brand marketing and media relations.
- Lead and grow a 17-person team responsible for all internal and external communications products and platforms.
- Create and manage ~$500,000 operating budget, including sourcing and establishing contracts with external vendors.
- Advise senior executives on communications policy and strategy, including sensitive biomedical and health topics.
- Led institute rebranding, which produced distinct visual identity and messaging for ~4 billion research funding over next 10 years
- Modernized outdated digital communications strategy, including launch of fully redesigned genome.gov.
- Implemented new strategic communications plan based on industry trends, best practices, and forward-looking technologies.
- Project manged creation of a new website including SEO.
- Doubled the reach of current digital media platforms over the previous year and increased website visitation by 40%.
- Secured feature coverage in The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, The LA Times, and on local networks such as NBC Washington, WJLA, and regional NPR affiliates around the country
- Led fundraising efforts to raise over $500,000 in pledges to update National Economic Impact Study
- Successfully secured over $30,000 in new Sponsorships
- Created 15 new partnerships with industry organizations
- Improved member retention rate 15% up to 90%
- Increased social media exposure to gain over 3,000 new "likes" since 2015
- Created and introduced new Student Membership and Internship program
- Experienced developing communication strategies at a national scientific research foundation leading to $116M directly funding the foundation’s research and training programs
- Supervised communications team to implement strategies, assemble focus groups, message testing and growth opportunities
- Performed day-to-day communication activities such as writing and editing press releases, speeches, articles and other materials on science-related subjects in support of the Foundation’s overall mission
- Developed and executed communication strategies to promote $73M in additional NIH funding
- Pitched and secured national coverage surrounding seven-figure gifts
- Managed an annual budget of $350K
- Oversaw strategic development and day-to-day operations for all marketing and communications generating 35% of annual revenue of $1.3M budget
- Hired and supervised box-office staff
- Pitched media, press and fielded inquiries pertaining to interviews with artists, musicians and staff
- Organized and led marketing task force with board members leading to 12% increase in audience attendance
- Implemented and developed e-commerce and online social networking sites resulting in 18% increased activity surrounding online ticket purchases
- Primary liaison for company’s bi-monthly magazine and publishing team, while managing content, annual editorial calendar, and ad placements for each issue.
- Developed and oversaw internal and external communications, including 13 e-newsletters, Annual Report and press releases.
- Managed press relations and inquiries, while regularly pitching media and news outlets.
- Coordinated all association social media communication efforts and campaigns directed at both members and media.
- Managing a team of 3 people plus four suppliers with a budget of over 1,3 million euros
- Maintaining responsability over the marketing program for Abarth brand
- Developing the Motorsport program for #AbarthRally
- Developing brand awareness and social media initiatives for all FCA brands in Spain
- Serve as chief spokesperson and senior advisor to the Secretary of State of Minnesota on all communications, strategic, and political matters, including the messaging and timing of public statements, speeches, major policy announcements and initiatives
- Develop and implement comprehensive communications strategy to meet short-and long-term goals; manage crisis communications
- Oversee and direct statewide voter outreach, marketing, education and constituent service efforts for state’s nearly 4 million voters
- Lead the conceptualization, development and production of audio, visual and graphic design materials across all departments, including a 680-page legislative manual distributed statewide
- Successfully manage media relations with over 100 reporters and draft all external communications, including press releases, speeches, media advisories, talking points, reporter memos and op-eds
- Lead four-person communications team for a human-rights organisation dedicated to improving access to technology among Cuban youth
- Developed and implemented press strategy and outreach for US and international press; including Spanish language media channels to shift US public opinion towards engagement with Cuba
- Organized the co-sponsorship with ABC News and Univision of a televised historic social media engagement event—a tweetup with a Cuban blogger and activist that attracted 30,000 active participants
- Identified opportunities to engage with key stakeholders in the US tech industry, developed partnerships with Google, Twitter and Facebook and organized a hackathon to generate media coverage and awareness of issues of issues affecting youth in Cuba
- Guest speaker at Freedom House in Washington DC
PRO TIP
The person reading your Director of Communications resume will be busy, make sure you never waste their time with fluff.
Action verbs for your director of communications resume
Recommended reads:
Director of Communications Resume Skills’ Tips & Tricks to Impress Recruiters
Checklist for a perfect Director of Communications resume skills section:
- Make sure to include most if not all essential skills for the job;
- Check the job description and add some keywords to pass ATS;
- List both hard and technical skills;
- When it comes to soft skills – elaborate on them in other sections of your resume (e.g. the experience section).
Top skills for your Director of Communications resume
Stakeholder management tools
Canva
Due dilligence tools
Agile planning tools
Media trainning
Communication
Creative problem solving
Analytical thinking
Influencing
Team work
PRO TIP
When describing your experience, don’t go too far from its terminology. Recruiters use ATS systems to filter resumes based on them having certain keywords, so make sure you use at least a few keywords mentioned in the job description.
Director of Communications resume header: tips, red flags, and best practices
Checklist for your Director of Communications resume header
- Your name and surname in a legible and larger resume font
- The job title you’re applying for or your current job title as a subheading to your name
- Link to your portfolio or online profile, such as LinkedIn
- Address (City and State for the US; just your city for rest of the world)
- Email address
- Headshot (required or welcomed in the EU; not required and sometimes frowned upon in the US)
Stick to popular email providers such as Gmail or Outlook. And use these professional formats to create your username:
- first.last@gmail.com
- last.first@gmail.com
- firstlast@gmail.com
- f.last@gmail.com
- first.l@gmail.com
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
Include a link to your portfolio in your Director of Communications resume header. Most companies will require that you include one in your resume, and even if they don’t, it’s an excellent opportunity to directly show them your proudest projects.
Director of communications resume summary best practices
Checklist: what to include in your director of communications resume summary:
- Years of experience;
- Highlight top 3 skills and proficiencies;
- One big professional accomplishment you’re most proud of, that you can tie with the aforementioned skills;
- Use short, direct sentences - but no more than three - to keep the HRs interested.
Resume summary formula:
PRO TIP
Your summary section should act as a professional taster. Use it wisely. Effectively convey your professional profile and let the hiring manager know that if they hire you, they won’t be disappointed. Make sure to include keywords from the job description too! Elaborate on your abilities further in your experience section. Again, cater to the job description.
Recommended reads:
Drawing the attention to your director of communications resume education section
Crafting a job-winning education section.
- Use the reverse-chronological format when listing your degrees;
- Tailor the classes you’ve taken to the position you’re applying for if you’re an entry-level candidate;
- Mention the awards and honors you’ve received;
- Add your certifications (but only those relevant to the position).
Top Certifications for Your Director of Communications Resume
The Art of Communications - Become A Master Communicator
Communication skills training. Confidence. Public Speaking. Promotion. Body Language. Pay raise. Job interview. Speech.
Persuasion in Business Communications
The Complete Lunchtime Persuasion in Business Communications Course
Public Relations: Media Crisis Communications
Public Relations: You can shape and control your media messages at the worst possible times.
Communications for New Managers
Learn from an Emmy-Award Winner and a #1 LinkedIn Instructor on developing effective leadership communications skills.
Effective Corporate Communications
Learn the basics of communicating as a business.
recommended reads:
PRO TIP
There are dozens of certifications that you can claim as a Director of Communications. But, some are more effective than others. That’s why you mustn’t include every certificate other applicants might have. Try instead to earn and list a few of the difficult ones.
Director of Communications resume: additional writing & formatting tips
There are three basic resume formats you can choose from:
- Reverse-chronological resume format;
- Functional resume format;
- Hybrid (or Combination) resume format;
The most optimal format for your particular case will depend on your years of experience, as well as whether you’re switching industries or not.
Reverse chronological resumes are best suited for experienced individuals who are sticking to their industry. The experience section takes a central place, and its bullets contain your responsibilities and achievements, coupled with numbers and results.
Functional resumes are used by less experienced jobseekers or career changers. Note that it’s not a format that recruiters prefer, as most are used to the classic chronological alignment. Instead of a list of job titles, functional resumes focus on your skills, and through what experiences you gained them.
Hybrid resumes are great for both experienced and entry-level candidates, as well as career changers. They combine the best of both worlds - most often in a double column format, where one side of the content is focused on your experience, whereas the other - on your skills, strengths, and proudest moments.
Director of Communications resume summary best practices
Here are some additional tips on perfecting your resume layout and style:
- Go for a traditional resume font sized 12p;
- Use standard 1-inch resume margins for increased readability;
- Make sure your resume fits on a one-page template. In case you’ve got 10 years of experience or more, your resume’s length can reach two pages;
- Avoid unwanted editing and plagiarism – save your resume as PDF before sending it to the recruiters.
Want to take it a step further? Learn how to make your resume stand out without relying too much on creativity.
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
Sometimes you’ll want to go after a job which requires more experience than you have. Instead of using a typical Director of Communications resume layout, you can use a creative layout. Getting noticed is the most important challenge and a creative resume layout might help you get invited for an interview as most of other accountants have boring resume designs.
Want to include something more to your director of communications resume?
So you’ve already listed details about your education, experience, and skills. You’ve also crafted an amazing summary.
But now you feel a creative urge to showcase your personality and not just your expertise.
We’ve got you! Thanks to our modern templates, you can now include a chart of what your typical day looks like or even a word or two about your life philosophy. All this without sacrificing your Director Of Communications resume’s professional feel.
Some non-traditional sections for your resume include:
Director of communications resume: How to make yours more creative & stand out
When you send your resume to a potential employer, chances are it's the fiftieth one they've seen that day. That's why you need to make your Director of Communications resume stand out for the right reasons. That means showing your personality, not just your professional experience. Employers are far more likely to remember a candidate who seems like a genuine person and not a robot. Do this by including your passions (which is also a great place to demonstrate skills on a resume), share your favorite books, or even what your usual day looks like.
What makes a great director of communications resume: key takeaways
- Choose a resume layout that sends the right message across and fits your current career situation;
- Create a resume header that shows your desired job title, and easy to find contact numbers;
- Be specific about your experience, accomplishments and future goals in your summary;
- Feature detailed metrics and specific examples that show the impact you made in your previous roles when describing your experience;
- List soft skills backed by examples;
- Add all of your technical skills and certifications that you have and match the job description;
- Show off a dash of personality in your resume that will demonstrate your culture fit and the right mix of hard and soft skills.
