Public Relations Manager

What a Public Relations Manager Does

The public relations department of a company ensures that the business maintains a good public image. Those who work in public relations strive to maintain customer or client satisfaction, as well as good media coverage, whether on television, in the newspapers, or on the Internet. Any time a complaint or other criticism against the company arises, the public relations experts of the company get to work repairing the organization's name and reputation. Public relations managers are in charge of handling public relations programs and overseeing the entire department. They may work with the advertising and marketing staff to ensure that all promotional materials are compatible with the company's desired image. Some also write press releases and hold press conferences to improve and maintain the company's image, while others may draft speeches for company executives to deliver. Other responsibilities of public relations managers may include organizing public events and responding to media inquiries.

How to Become a Public Relations Manager

The public relations field is one that requires heavy knowledge of communication skills. After all, the bulk of public relations deals with communicating the company's desired image to the public, customers, and clients. For this reason, employers will only hire those who have at least a bachelor's degree in a related field. Though one could earn a specific public relations degree, it is not necessary to work in this field. Instead, most employers simply seek out applicants who have earned a degree in a relevant subject, such as communications or journalism. Students should take classes in advertising, administration, management, public speaking, and creative writing, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Those who endeavor to move up in their careers should consider earning a master's degree in a related field so that they may be more capable of taking on bigger and more challenging projects. Most public relations managers also do not start out their careers in the management position. Instead, many work their ways up through the public relations department in order to reach a management position. Voluntary certification is available in order to boost a public relations manager's marketability.

Career Outlook for Public Relations Managers

In today's increasingly globalized society, many businesses, both local and international, will be competing with one another to earn customers. Companies are now striving to find new ways to gain the attention of consumers, driving up the demand for public relations managers to make it happen. Public relations managers will be called upon more and more to make companies look good so that they may earn the trust of valuable customers and clients. In fact, the BLS has predicted that through the 2008-18 decade, employment opportunities for public relations managers will increase 13 percent. This will pour 7,300 new jobs into the market by 2018, which is great news for those looking to join the field after graduating from college. In addition to a prospering job climate, prospective public relations managers can also look forward to financial rewards. The average annual salary for these managers was $89,430 in May 2008, the latest information available from the BLS. The actual salary earned by individual public relations managers, however, will vary depending on the manager's employer, size and location of the public relations firm, and the firm's industry.