What is a Public Relations Manager?
The Public Relations Manager is a mid-level management role for someone with 6-8 years of experience in the field. Public Relations Managers create and maintain a favorable public image for their employer or client by communicating programs, accomplishments and/or points of view. They typically report to the head of a unit/department.
These professionals are tasked with fielding media questions and pitching stories to the media, preparing media kits and organizing press conferences. They also release information to counter negative publicity and handle crisis and emergency communications.
Education Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Journalism, English, Communications or Marketing with a PR or Advertising concentration
Public Relations Manager Officer Essential Skills
- A confident communicator and presenter
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Excellent organizational and planning skills
- Have a full understanding of media needs and media relationships
- Be proactive, reliable, responsible and accurate with an attention to detail
- The ability to keep information confidential
- Tactical understanding of all primary social media platforms
- Ability to work in high-stress environments, often for long hours
- A wide degree of creativity and latitude
- Self motivated with a positive and professional approach to management
Public Relations Manager Roles & Responsibilities
- Field media questions
- Pitch stories to the media
- Prepare media kits
- Organize press conferences
- Hire and manage freelance copywriters, graphic designers and others
- Manage the public relation’s department budget
- Engage in dialogue and interact with both internal business leaders and executives as well as the broader constituents affected by a company's product and policies
Day-to-Day Duties
- Help clarify their organization’s point of view to its main audience through media press releases and interviews
- Write speeches for organizational leaders
- Develop advertising and marketing communications material
- Prepare articles for corporate newsletters
- Oversee full-time employees
- Monitor social, economic, and political trends that might affect their organization
- Recommend ways to enhance the firm's image on the basis of trends