OVERVIEW
What Is a Public Relations Manager?
One of several viable career options for individuals with a bachelor’s degree in marketing, the role of a public relations manager is part communication, part outreach. You’ll represent a company when connecting with various media avenues, after you choose specific channels that will target the right consumers.
PR managers are sometimes mistaken for marketing and advertising managers, given the similarity of their roles. While marketing, advertising, and public relations are similar fields—responsible for identifying and targeting customers—they are all respectively unique.
PR managers will not spend time creating advertisements or identifying marketing verticals to pursue. Instead, PR managers focus their time strictly on local and national media outlets that can help further their brand’s reach and vision.
Public relations managers typically need an undergraduate degree. Many employers prefer to hire public relations managers with at least a few years of experience in a similar role.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does a Public Relations Manager Do?
The responsibilities of a PR manager can change regularly. On some days, you’ll likely spend time reaching out to new media outlets to schedule appearances by company representatives. On other days, you might spend hours preparing company branding for an in-person event where potential customers will interact with your brand.
The exact responsibilities of a PR manager can include:
- Managing a company’s PR strategies.
- Overseeing all messaging associated with PR branding and events.
- Coordinating a PR strategy that allows companies to make appearances in print, radio, television, and live avenues.
- Communicating with media relations managers and representatives to schedule appearance times, and settle other appearance logistics.
- Collaborating with company executives to identify which public relations outlets to focus on.
- Directing outreach strategies across social media, news outlets, and other channels that can stimulate PR interest.
- Creating new business contacts at choice media avenues.
These and other responsibilities define the day-to-day duties of a public relations manager as they work to connect companies with media avenues that can further a company’s reach.
Where Do Public Relations Managers Work?
A public relations manager can work for a variety of businesses and organizations, depending on the nature of their employment. While some PR managers work internally at private businesses, others might contract with specific clients through a third-party PR firm.
Public relations managers work with:
-Independent public relations providers
-Private companies
-Non-profit organizations
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
What Education Does a Public Relations Manager Need?
Quality education helps students take concrete steps toward PR management careers. Before you can begin a career as a public relations manager, you’ll need to obtain a bachelor’s degree in marketing, or a closely related field. In this type of degree program, you’ll develop skills that are immediately applicable once you begin a career as a PR manager. You’ll increase your knowledge of strategic thinking, marketing analytics, and problem-solving. You’ll learn about strategy, writing styles and skills, communication techniques, and how to work within your team. These skills will help you assess a company’s needs and connect the company with optimal media avenues.
Best Degrees for a Business Manager
Business
Business Management – B.S. Business Administration
Hone your business acumen and garner added respect:...
Hone your business acumen and garner added respect:
- Time: 61% of graduates finish within 19 months
- Tuition: $3,755 per 6-month term
- Courses: 40 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé this program will teach you include:
- Business communication
- Product development
- Decision making models
- Project management strategies
- Budgeting for business
This online degree program is an excellent choice for kick-starting your organizational management career.
Business
Marketing – B.S.
For those who want to lead brands and steer consumer markets:...
For those who want to lead brands and steer consumer markets:
- Time: 60% of graduates finish within 19 months.
- Tuition: $3,755 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 37 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program include:
- Communication
- Marketing
- Sales
- Management
- Project Management
- Product Management
Marketing is a creative and exciting field—and one where an undergraduate degree will open better opportunities.
Business
Communications – B.S.
An online communications program designed for students who want real-world...
An online communications program designed for students who want real-world skills for a variety of industries.
- Time: 60% of students finish similar programs in 19 months.
- Tuition: $3,755 per 6-month term
- Courses: 38 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program:
- Strategic Communications
- Crisis Communication
- Content Creation
- Value-Based Leadership
- Project Management
This degree prepares you with relevant industry skills and experience that will help you move forward in your career.
How Much Does a Public Relations Manager Make?
$75,531
The exact income of a PR manager varies based on factors that include your employer, employer’s location, your years of experience, and your education. On average, the annual salary of a public relations manager is $75,531, with a range of roughly $50,000 to $110,000.
What Is the Projected Job Growth?
9%
As companies continue to prioritize public outreach, the job outlook of PR managers should remain favorable in future years. Employment for public relations managers is expected to increase 9% from 2019 to 2029, a projected growth rate well above the average across all occupations.
SKILLS
What Skills Does a Public Relations Manager Need?
A public relations manager relies on a variety of skills each day. Whether communicating with media representatives, tailoring brand messaging, or coordinating sponsored events, a PR manager depends on a well-developed skill set to improve a company’s reach.
The exact skills a public relations manager needs include:
- Interpersonal communication: The ability to correspond with other PR representatives, company executives, media representatives, and the general public.
- Writing: The ability to draft commanding written content that can move an audience and influence public opinions.
- Technological proficiency: The ability to use all required technology in a PR setting, including any computers, tablets, phones, scheduling tools, and other online platforms.
- Public speaking: The ability to confidently address groups of people, especially in a public setting.
- Problem-solving: The ability to identify and solve PR issues that companies might face, preserving a strong public reputation in the eyes of potential customers.
- Time management: The ability to organize media appearances, public statements, and other obligations to allow enough time to complete each task.
These and other skills enable public relations managers to thrive as they help companies capitalize on media avenues that can improve their public authority and outreach.
Our Online University Degree Programs Start on the First of Every Month, All Year Long
No need to wait for spring or fall semester. It's back-to-school time at WGU year-round. Get started by talking to an Enrollment Counselor today, and you'll be on your way to realizing your dream of a bachelor's or master's degree—sooner than you might think!
Next Start Date
{{startdate}}
Interested in Becoming a Public Relations Manager?
Learn more about degree programs that can prepare you for this meaningful career.
