Corporate Communications Mgr

HIGH DemandLOW AI RiskGROWING in SL· Rs.150k+ /mo

For communications professionals who want to do it all — lead the story inside and outside the organisation, manage a team, and have a direct seat at the leadership table — this is the role that brings the full scope of communications together.”

About This Role

Manages internal and external brand messaging for an organization.

A Day in the Life

Oversee the full spectrum of corporate communications — combining internal employee communications with external media, stakeholder, and brand reputation management into a unified communications function.

Develop and manage the integrated corporate communications strategy (internal and external)
Oversee production of all communications materials — press releases, newsletters, social content, reports
Lead a small communications team and manage external PR agencies
Advise the CEO and board on communications strategy and crisis preparedness
Coordinate messaging consistency across all channels and audiences
Manage the communications budget and vendor relationships
Lead corporate social media presence and digital communications
Build and maintain relationships with media, regulators, and key stakeholders

Work Environment

HYBRIDTeam: MEDIUMFORMALRemote: MEDIUM

A broad leadership role that requires you to switch seamlessly between employee engagement priorities and external reputation management. You lead a small team, manage agencies, and operate at C-suite level. Strong commercial awareness and communications judgment are essential.

Typical hours: 50h/week · WLB score 6/10 · OCCASIONAL overtime

Broad scope means this role carries more weight than specialist positions. Expect extended hours during crises, annual reports, product launches, or major internal changes. Leadership responsibility adds to the demands.

Skills Required

Technical Skills

Integrated communications strategy designInternal and external communications managementMedia relations and crisis communicationsCorporate brand and reputation managementBudget management for communications functionDigital and social media communicationsStakeholder and government relations

Soft Skills

Strategic leadership and visionTeam management and mentoringExceptional communication across all formats (written, verbal, digital)Composure and decisiveness under pressureRelationship building at executive levelCommercial acumenNegotiation with agencies and media partners

Tools & Software

Meltwater or Cision (media monitoring)Hootsuite / Sprout SocialMicrosoft SharePoint / Viva Engage (internal comms)Adobe Creative Suite / CanvaCMS platforms (WordPress, Contentful)Microsoft Office Suite and TeamsGoogle Analytics / social media analytics

Salary in Sri Lanka (LKR / month)

Entry LevelRs.160k – Rs.220k/mo

Mid-LevelRs.240k – Rs.380k/mo

SeniorRs.400k – Rs.650k/mo

Entry: Communications Manager / Senior Communications ExecutiveMid: Corporate Communications ManagerSenior: Head of Corporate Communications / VP of Communications

Typical progression: 6yr to mid · 10yr to senior

Global Salary (USD / year)

Entry Level$75k – $100k/yr

Mid-Level$105k – $150k/yr

Senior$155k – $220k/yr

Top Markets

United KingdomUnited StatesSingaporeAustraliaUAE / DubaiCanada

Market Outlook

GROWING

Demand for integrated communications managers is growing as large Sri Lankan corporates recognise the value of cohesive communications functions. Most demand is from large conglomerates, listed companies, and multinationals.

Hiring: LOW

John Keells HoldingsDialog AxiataHayleys PLCSriLankan AirlinesMAS HoldingsCommercial BankSoftlogic HoldingsHemas HoldingsAitken SpenceSri Lanka Telecom

GROWING

Growing demand driven by the need to manage communications across increasingly complex stakeholder environments — social media, ESG reporting, hybrid workforce, and regulatory scrutiny.

Entry Requirements

Sri Lanka

Min. EducationBachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Business, or Journalism; MBA advantageous

Experience6–8 years in communications with team leadership experience

Preferred

Bachelor in Mass Communication or Business AdministrationCIM or PRCA qualificationProven track record managing integrated communications functions

Global

Min. EducationBachelor's in Communications or related field; Master's or MBA preferred

Experience8–10 years in communications with at least 3 years managing teams

Preferred

CIPR or PRCA accreditationMBA in Marketing or StrategyExperience with global communications in multiple marketsCrisis communications and change management expertise

Helpful Certifications

CIPR (Chartered Institute of Public Relations)CIM UK (Chartered Marketer status)PRCA DiplomaIoIC membership (internal communications)Change Management Certification (Prosci)MBA (Marketing or Strategy)

Entrepreneurship & Freelancing

Freelance: MEDIUMRemote: MEDIUMCapital: LOW

Freelance earnings: $2000–$6000/mo (USD)

Platforms (SL)

LinkedIn ProFinderCorporate and agency referral networksSLIM / CIPM professional networks

Business Ideas

Integrated communications agency serving listed companies
Corporate communications consultancy for large Sri Lankan businesses
Crisis communications and reputation management advisory firm

Side Income Ideas

Communications advisory for boards and foundersCorporate communications masterclassesESG and sustainability reporting advisoryFractional Communications Director for SMEs

Full-service communications agencies in Colombo serve large corporates and multinationals. Experienced communications managers can establish boutique firms targeting premium clients.

Risks & Challenges

AI / Automation Risk

LOW

LONG TERM

Burnout Risk

HIGH

Job Security (SL)

MEDIUM

Leadership, crisis judgment, and integrated strategy cannot be automated. AI assists with content generation and monitoring, but the human layer of strategic communications management remains essential.

Burnout Causes

Broad scope covering internal and external communications simultaneouslyOn-call expectations during crises or major corporate eventsManaging multiple agencies and internal teams under tight deadlinesPressure of reputational responsibility for the entire organisation

Physical Health Risks

Sedentary leadership role with extended screen timeDisrupted sleep patterns during crises

Mental Health Risks

Elevated stress from reputational accountabilityConstant context-switching between internal and external prioritiesManaging leadership expectations during difficult communications periodsDecision fatigue from high-stakes communications choices

How to Mitigate

Develop a comprehensive crisis communications playbook for the organisation
Build a high-performing team to prevent single-point dependency on yourself
Stay current on digital and social communications trends
Set clear boundaries for after-hours availability to sustain long-term performance

Is This Career For You?

Ambitious communications graduates with broad interests spanning journalism, PR, marketing, and leadership who want to lead an entire function rather than specialise in one area.

Personality Types

ENTJENFJESTJINTJ

Core Motivations

Building a communications function that genuinely shapes how the organisation is perceivedLeading a talented team to deliver cohesive, impactful communicationsBeing the strategic bridge between the organisation and all its audiences

What You'll Love

Broad mandate spanning the full communications spectrum
Senior leadership access and advisory role
Creative latitude in defining the corporate communications identity
High visibility and influence across the organisation

What's Challenging

Managing competing priorities across internal and external audiences simultaneously
Always-on expectations during crises
Balancing creative communications work with management responsibilities
Proving the ROI of communications investment to finance-focused leadership