Communications Manager Onboarding Checklist

Communications Manager Onboarding Process

Are you looking for help setting up a staff orientation process so that when your new Communications Manager starts their role, they can learn about their responsibilities and your company as quickly as possible? Whether you’re keen to use buddy onboarding, want to automate your Marketing onboarding experience or just need an onboarding checklist for your new Communications Manager, you’re in the right place. We’ve put together a sample Communications Manager onboarding checklist below and have created onboarding templates & resources to help.

Communications Manager Onboarding Checklist

1. Introduction to the company: The Communications Manager should be provided with a comprehensive introduction to the company, including its history, mission, values, and organizational structure. This task is typically performed by the HR department or a designated onboarding specialist.

2. Familiarization with company policies and procedures: The Communications Manager should receive a detailed overview of the company’s policies and procedures, including those related to communication, branding, social media, and crisis management. This task is usually conducted by the HR department or the Communications Director.

3. Introduction to the marketing team: The Communications Manager should be introduced to the marketing team members, including their roles and responsibilities. This task is typically performed by the Communications Director or a team lead.

4. Review of current marketing campaigns: The Communications Manager should be provided with an overview of the company’s current marketing campaigns, including their objectives, target audience, and key messaging. This task is usually conducted by the Communications Director or a senior marketing team member.

5. Review of brand guidelines: The Communications Manager should be given access to the company’s brand guidelines, which outline the visual and verbal elements that should be used consistently across all communication channels. This task is typically performed by the Communications Director or a designated brand manager.

6. Training on communication tools and software: The Communications Manager should receive training on the various communication tools and software used by the company, such as email marketing platforms, social media management tools, and project management software. This task is usually conducted by the IT department or a designated software trainer.

7. Introduction to key stakeholders: The Communications Manager should be introduced to key stakeholders within the company, such as executives, department heads, and other team members with whom they will collaborate closely. This task is typically performed by the Communications Director or a senior manager.

8. Review of past communication materials: The Communications Manager should be provided with access to past communication materials, such as press releases, blog posts, and social media content, to familiarize themselves with the company’s tone, style, and messaging. This task is usually conducted by the Communications Director or a designated content manager.

9. Training on crisis communication protocols: The Communications Manager should receive training on the company’s crisis communication protocols, including how to handle media inquiries, manage social media during a crisis, and coordinate messaging with other departments. This task is typically performed by the Communications Director or a designated crisis communication specialist.

10. Introduction to external partners and agencies: The Communications Manager should be introduced to any external partners or agencies that the company works with for marketing and communication purposes, such as PR firms, advertising agencies, or graphic designers. This task is usually conducted by the Communications Director or a designated account manager.

11. Review of industry trends and competitors: The Communications Manager should be provided with an overview of the industry trends and competitors to stay informed and identify potential communication opportunities or challenges. This task is typically performed by the Communications Director or a designated market research analyst.

12. Goal setting and performance expectations: The Communications Manager should have a meeting with their supervisor to discuss performance expectations, set goals, and establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure success. This task is typically conducted by the Communications Director or a senior manager.

13. Access to necessary resources and tools: The Communications Manager should be provided with access to all necessary resources and tools, such as design software, media databases, and industry publications, to effectively carry out their responsibilities. This task is usually coordinated by the IT department or a designated resource manager.

14. Introduction to internal communication channels: The Communications Manager should be familiarized with the company’s internal communication channels, such as intranet platforms, team collaboration tools, and email distribution lists, to facilitate effective communication within the organization. This task is typically performed by the IT department or a designated internal communication specialist.

15. Ongoing mentorship and support: The Communications Manager should be assigned a mentor or a designated point of contact within the company who can provide ongoing guidance, support, and feedback as they settle into their new role. This task is typically coordinated by the HR department or the Communications Director

Setting Up Your Employee Onboarding Process

From reading through the items in the example Communications Manager checklist above, you’ll now have an idea of how you can apply best practices to getting your new Communications Manager up to speed and working well in your Marketing team. Scroll up to see the link to our onboarding templates & resources or get in touch to discuss getting help setting up your systems and processes in this area.