Job Description for Corporate Affairs

Some of the most powerful organizations in the world are corporations.

Many businesses have a variety of functions that must be fulfilled at a corporate level, such as communications, marketing, public relations, the maintenance of facilities and event coordination. Those who work for the department of corporate affairs are often highly trained and experienced executives who come from a broad range of work backgrounds.

Identification

A corporation is a legal concept for a business. Businesses that are corporations are considered to be separate entities from their owners. The result is that the owners are not liable for any costs incurred by the corporation, especially in the event of a bankruptcy. Corporations sell shares to investors to raise revenue and expand their operations, which not only gives the investors stock that grows with the company and can be sold at a later date, but also some control over the corporation (usually by voting for the board of directors). This board of directors then hires upper management, who are responsible for driving various corporate affairs.

Types

The job duties of an executive working for corporate affairs depend on the department he works for. The head of internal communications is responsible for making sure that all communications within the company are accurate and efficient. The head of public relations engages in a variety of media outreach efforts. The head of facilities is responsible for the renovation of company facilities and for the construction and closing of facilities, according to Lowe's. The events coordinator is responsible for special corporate programs, such as hospitality programs. The channels director is responsible for communications released through newsletters, magazines and websites. The sustainability manager is responsible for determining whether or not corporate projects are sustainable in the long run.

Experience

Top executives come from a vast variety of backgrounds, with some executives having advanced degrees and other executives lacking post-secondary education but demonstrating considerable work experience. The pressure that corporate affairs heads are placed under is often enormous, since the success or failure of company-wide projects often rests in their hands. These executives frequently work 50 hours or more, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Outlook

The need for heads of corporate affairs is not expected to change. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, corporate affairs jobs are some of the highest-paying and prestigious jobs around, but they're also some of the most competitive.

Earnings

The median earnings for corporate affairs executives in 2008 were $91,570, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The highest 10 percent earned more than $137,020, while the lowest 10 percent earned less than $62,900. However, executives often also earn considerable incomes because of stock options that they hold.

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Top Executives
• Lowe's: Corporate Affairs Careers
• Barclays: Corporate Affairs
• Investopedia: Corporation Definition