How to restructure communications teams for the AI era
Every Chief Communications Officer (CCO) I meet is asking the same question right now: how should I restructure my team for a world reshaped by AI?
Having studied high-performing communications functions for years, one thing I am sure of is that the capabilities that make teams great are often the very ones technology can’t easily replicate (yet, at least).
Before you touch your org chart, reduce your agency retainer and reshape your team. Start with the basics. Are you and your CEO genuinely aligned on what your corporate affairs team is there to do? The most effective teams have leaders who truly understand the role corporate affairs is expected to play before making a single structural change.
Yes, AI can draft, summarise, monitor, and analyse – it’s already doing it, and your team will be using it, with or without permission. But here’s what actually separates a high-performing team from an average one: sound judgement under pressure. The emotional intelligence to read a room of hostile stakeholders. The courage to look the CEO in the eye and say, “this will damage our reputation”. I am yet to meet a CCO who describes content production as their defining capability.
The best CCOs talk about their function’s value in relational terms: building coalitions, nurturing trust with regulators, acting as the organisation’s conscience, providing counsel to the CEO and leadership team.
So, what should you really focus on?
When it comes to hiring for the future, resist the urge to load up on narrow technical skills. Data analytics, AI fluency, and digital expertise will be capabilities learned at pace, by everyone, in the months ahead. Hire people with proven judgement that has been honed in high-stakes situations, the flexibility and resilience to move with the demands of the business, and an attitude that embraces the adoption and potential of AI.
This post was written by Lauren Tarbit, Partner, who leads our work in organisational design, helping leaders to build the best corporate communications teams in London, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. To speak to Lauren about your team, email lt@taylorbirchwood.com.
Read our latest GCSP Report that shows the gap between AI impact and AI adoption remains a big challenge for Chief Communications Officers.
Every Chief Communications Officer (CCO) I meet is asking the same question right now: how should I restructure my team for a world reshaped by AI?
Having studied high-performing communications functions for years, one thing I am sure of is that the capabilities that make teams great are often the very ones technology can’t easily replicate (yet, at least).
Before you touch your org chart, reduce your agency retainer and reshape your team. Start with the basics. Are you and your CEO genuinely aligned on what your corporate affairs team is there to do? The most effective teams have leaders who truly understand the role corporate affairs is expected to play before making a single structural change.
Yes, AI can draft, summarise, monitor, and analyse – it’s already doing it, and your team will be using it, with or without permission. But here’s what actually separates a high-performing team from an average one: sound judgement under pressure. The emotional intelligence to read a room of hostile stakeholders. The courage to look the CEO in the eye and say, “this will damage our reputation”. I am yet to meet a CCO who describes content production as their defining capability.
The best CCOs talk about their function’s value in relational terms: building coalitions, nurturing trust with regulators, acting as the organisation’s conscience, providing counsel to the CEO and leadership team.
So, what should you really focus on?
When it comes to hiring for the future, resist the urge to load up on narrow technical skills. Data analytics, AI fluency, and digital expertise will be capabilities learned at pace, by everyone, in the months ahead. Hire people with proven judgement that has been honed in high-stakes situations, the flexibility and resilience to move with the demands of the business, and an attitude that embraces the adoption and potential of AI.
This post was written by Lauren Tarbit, Partner, who leads our work in organisational design, helping leaders to build the best corporate communications teams in London, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. To speak to Lauren about your team, email lt@taylorbirchwood.com.
Read our latest GCSP Report that shows the gap between AI impact and AI adoption remains a big challenge for Chief Communications Officers.
Published: March 2026