I was intrigued by a recent advertisement from a mining major in India seeking a manager for corporate communications. The expectations were to ‘support’, ‘manage’, ‘edit’ and ‘publish’ communication like newsletters and work to internal group requirements! And this was for a managerial role. Interestingly, the application required to have work experience between 5-10 years while for another similar opening for PR, it expected incumbents to have at least 10-15 years of suitable experience.
What do we infer?
Internal communication is not vital? Communicators are expected to do ‘what is expected’ and not challenge the status quo? PR is higher up in the pecking order due to its ‘visibility’?
I wish I could rewrite that advertisement to signify more credibility for the internal communication role considering the impact and importance the position delivers.
Contrast the description to one I found for a communications position in South Africa.
” You will have to influence key decisions at a senior level and a strategic vision which allows you to translate strategy into tactical implementation. Knowledge of complex environments and structures would be beneficial. “
