Last Updated: December 2025
The landscape for in-house communications and investor relations (IR) talent has shifted significantly over the last 12 months.
While 2023/24 was defined by market correction and stabilisation, 2025 is the year of the "Strategic Advisor."
Data from our placements across London, New York, and Houston shows that while base salary growth has normalised after the post-pandemic boom, the premium for business acumen has never been higher. Organisations are willing to pay top-of-market compensation, but only for leaders who can interpret the P&L, navigate geopolitical risk, and manage stakeholders, not just produce content.
As a specialist recruitment partner operating on both sides of the Atlantic, we have analysed our placement data to provide this 2025 salary snapshot.
The Transatlantic Gap: London vs. The US
The "transatlantic pay gap" remains a defining feature of the market. US roles, particularly in New York and Houston (Energy/Industrial sectors), continue to command significantly higher base salaries than their UK counterparts—often 30% to 50% higher when converted, even before factoring in the typically higher US bonus structures.
However, the UK market is seeing a surge in demand for hybrid leaders—Heads of Corp Affairs who can also handle Internal Comms, or IR Directors who can manage ESG narratives—driving salaries up for these multi-disciplinary roles.
2025 Salary Benchmarks: Corporate Communications
Base salaries only (excludes bonus & equity).
Head of / Director of Communications
🇬🇧 London: £120,000 – £180,000+
🇺🇸 East / West Coast: $250,000 – $450,000+
🇺🇸 Texas / Florida: $220,000 – $350,000+
Trend: The cap has lifted for "Reputation" leaders in high-risk/regulated sectors (Energy, Finance, Professional Services, Tech).
Senior Communications Manager
🇬🇧 London: £80,000 – £110,000
🇺🇸 East / West Coast: $190,000 – $240,000
🇺🇸 Texas / Florida: $160,000 – $220,000
Trend: High demand for "Generalist" managers who can pivot between internal and external comms.
Communications Manager
🇬🇧 London: £55,000 – £75,000
🇺🇸 East / West Coast: $130,000 – $180,000
🇺🇸 Texas / Florida: $120,000 – $170,000
2025 Salary Benchmarks: Investor Relations (IR)
IR remains the highest-paid discipline within the function, reflecting the direct link to capital markets and share price performance.
Head of Investor Relations
🇬🇧 London: £150,000 – £250,000+
🇺🇸 East / West Coast: $300,000 – $450,000+
Trend: Massive premium for IR leaders with debt/equity fundraising experience in the current market.
Investor Relations Manager / VP
🇬🇧 London: £90,000 – £130,000
🇺🇸 New York / Houston: $180,000 – $275,000
2025 Salary Benchmarks: Internal & Change Comms
Internal Communications has firmly moved from "support function" to "strategic driver," especially regarding transformation and retention.
Head of Internal Communications / Employee Engagement
🇬🇧 London: £100,000 – £150,000
🇺🇸 East / West Coast: $200,000 – $300,000
Change Communications Lead (often Contract/Interim)
🇬🇧 London: £750 – £1,000 per day
🇺🇸 East / West Coast $1,500 – $2,500 per day
Trend: Companies are increasingly using our Contract & Interim service to hire heavy-hitting Change specialists for 6-12 month transformation projects rather than permanent headcounts.
What is Driving Salaries in 2025?
1. Financial Literacy is the New "Must-Have" For CCOs and Communications Directors, excellent writing is now the baseline. The salary premium goes to leaders who speak the language of the CFO. If you can explain how reputation impacts the balance sheet, your market value increases by 15-20%.
2. The Rise of the "Satellite" Role in Texas We are seeing increased demand in Houston and Dallas for high-level Communications and Corporate Affairs talent as companies relocate HQs or expand operations. The competition for talent in Texas is driving salaries closer to NY levels for specialised roles.
3. Retention vs. Recruitment Budgets It is currently cheaper to retain talent than to replace it. Counter-offers are rampant in 2025. If you are hiring, you must go in with your "best and final" offer immediately. Low-ball offers are resulting in failed searches.
Need a Custom Benchmark?
Broad salary guides are useful, but every search is unique based on sector, team size, and specific mandate.
If you are planning a business-critical hire for 2025, or if you need to benchmark your current team against the market, we can provide a bespoke data analysis.
We offer three distinct hiring models to suit your needs:
Retained Executive Search for your C-Suite & Leadership roles.
Exclusive Permanent Placements for your critical Managers.
Contract & Interim for immediate project support.
