Most people would agree cookies make life better. For us, they help us make our site and marketing better. But if you don't like cookies, that's cool too. Find out more in our
Cookie Policy.
Explore our vision: Incredible, effortless recruitment
£45k-£65k
Typical base salary
12 wks
Replacement guarantee
Writing and storytelling
Ask to see coverage or comms they shaped and the impact.
Media and stakeholder skill
Probe their relationships and how they've handled a difficult story.
Judgement under pressure
Comms is tested in a crisis. Look for someone measured and clear.
How to run the hire
1. Define the remit
Be clear on PR, internal comms, reputation or all three.
2. Score for writing and judgement
Weight strong writing and calm handling of difficult stories.
3. Source and screen
Approach candidates with relevant sector and media experience.
4. Test with a scenario
Use a tricky story or announcement to hear their approach.
5. Reference the results
Confirm they built profile and handled pressure well.
Fees typically run 15-20% of first-year salary, capped and agreed upfront.
Nothing is due until your hire starts.
Usually 5-9 weeks.
Sector and whether you need PR, internal comms or both are the main variables.
A Communications Manager manages how the business communicates - PR and media, internal communications, messaging and reputation.
They shape the story, handle the press, and keep communication clear and consistent, especially in a crisis.
PR is one part of comms. A Communications Manager often covers PR plus internal comms and wider reputation.
We scope the exact remit so the shortlist fits.
Try: Tell me about coverage or a campaign you're proud of.
How would you handle a negative story about us?
How do you approach internal comms? and How do you measure success?
Yes, across corporate, consumer and B2B communications.
We match the remit and sector to your needs.
Tell us about your role and a specialist marketing recruiter will call you. No fee until your hire starts.
{"@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [{"@type": "Article", "headline": "How to Hire a Communications Manager in the UK (2026)", "description": "How to hire a Communications Manager in the UK. Salary, time to hire and what to look for.", "datePublished": "2026-07-13", "dateModified": "2026-07-13", "author": {"@type": "Person", "name": "Mark Wilkinson", "jobTitle": "Managing Director", "url": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/coburg-markwilkinson/", "worksFor": {"@type": "Organization", "name": "Coburg Banks"}}, "publisher": {"@type": "Organization", "name": "Coburg Banks", "logo": {"@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/645cf1f1ad8cd97335eefcd6/67e52adb28b5bfce304c13dd_CB%20Sales%20Logo.svg"}}, "mainEntityOfPage": "https://www.coburgbanks.co.uk/hiring/communications-manager"}, {"@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [{"@type": "Question", "name": "How much does it cost to hire a Communications Manager?", "acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer", "text": "Fees typically run 15-20% of first-year salary, capped and agreed upfront. Nothing is due until your hire starts."}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "How long does it take to hire a Communications Manager?", "acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer", "text": "Usually 5-9 weeks. Sector and whether you need PR, internal comms or both are the main variables."}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "What does a Communications Manager do?", "acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer", "text": "A Communications Manager manages how the business communicates - PR and media, internal communications, messaging and reputation. They shape the story, handle the press, and keep communication clear and consistent, especially in a crisis."}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "Is a Communications Manager the same as a PR Manager?", "acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer", "text": "PR is one part of comms. A Communications Manager often covers PR plus internal comms and wider reputation. We scope the exact remit so the shortlist fits."}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "What should I ask a Communications Manager at interview?", "acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer", "text": "Try: Tell me about coverage or a campaign you're proud of. How would you handle a negative story about us? How do you approach internal comms? and How do you measure success?"}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "Do you recruit Communications and PR Managers?", "acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes, across corporate, consumer and B2B communications. We match the remit and sector to your needs."}}]}, {"@type": "ItemList", "name": "What to look for in a Communications Manager", "itemListElement": [{"@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Writing and storytelling"}, {"@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Media and stakeholder skill"}, {"@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Judgement under pressure"}]}, {"@type": "ProfessionalService", "name": "Coburg Banks Marketing Recruitment", "url": "https://www.coburgbanks.co.uk/marketing-recruitment-agencies", "telephone": "+441213622300", "foundingDate": "2002", "areaServed": {"@type": "Country", "name": "United Kingdom"}, "serviceType": "Marketing Recruitment", "sameAs": ["https://www.linkedin.com/company/coburgbanks/", "https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/coburgbanks.co.uk", "https://www.facebook.com/CoburgBanksJobs/"]}]}