Hiring public relations professionals

Your guide to finding and hiring the right person for your organization

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Job description

How to write a public relations professional job description

Creating a job description requires full knowledge of what the public relations (PR) professional role entails. What are the main responsibilities? Will this person be part of a team? What qualifications will best serve the PR professional in this role? Begin by visualizing the ideal candidate, then customize the template below to reflect your company’s unique needs. List the most important objectives, responsibilities, and qualifications, and provide some information about your company values. A brief yet engaging job post will help attract quality applicants.

Public relations professional job description template

This sample job post will introduce your organization’s culture and values, while helping potential candidates understand how they’ll contribute from Day 1.

Sample public relations professional job description

At [Company X], we see public relations as newsworthy storytelling. We’re looking for a seasoned public relations professional who can create narratives that guide our brand story. This person will contribute to existing PR efforts while helping to develop new initiatives aligned with company objectives. The ideal candidate will have experience in a wide range of PR functions, as well as positive relationships with media professionals in our industry and the community.

Objectives of this role

Develop media relations strategy focused on high-level placements in print, broadcast, and online channels to increase company visibility
Build connections with key media organizations and journalists through a mix of traditional, digital, and social channels
Ensure that our PR efforts serve immediate and long-term business goals
Forecast news cycles and identify areas of trending public interest
Understand the competitor landscape and stay ahead of any threat to our brand position
Establish a media relations plan that has actionable strategies for high-level placements

Responsibilities

Evaluate and establish a public relations strategy and plan
Engage with marketing department to ensure that PR campaigns align with strategic goals, growth plans, and new-business opportunities
Leverage existing media relationships — broadcast, traditional, and online — to land prominent placements
Pitch new ideas, amplify brand content on social media, and remain up to date with trends and opportunities
Write timely press releases and media kits, and direct social-media team to communicate proactively
Help establish strategies for damage containment in crisis situations

Required skills and qualifications

Experience in public relations at a company or organization
Exceptional writing and editing skills
Deep knowledge of traditional, digital, and social media channels
Excellent communication and organizational skills

Preferred skills and qualifications

Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in public relations, marketing, or advertising
Established relationships with media organizations and journalists
Familiarity with content management systems (CMS)