Public Relations Specialist Job Description, Duties, and Responsibilities

This post provides detailed information on the public relations specialist job description, including the key duties, tasks, and responsibilities they commonly perform.

It also highlights the major requirements that you may be expected to fulfill to be hired for the public relations specialist role by most recruiters/employers.

What Does a Public Relations Specialist Do?

Public relations specialists are responsible for building and sustaining the public image of a company or brand.

The public relations specialist job description entails planning PR programs, writing press releases, and organizing campaigns to promote a company’s position within the public eye.

In performing their duties, PR specialists develop and implement PR programs necessary to maintain a favorable image in the eyes of the public.

They prepare marketing and promotional materials such as flyers, billboards, and online adverts. They also proofread and revise PR materials for errors prior to release.

PR specialists write press releases to announce new products or services offered by an organization.

They carry out research to identify social, economic, and political trends in order to make adjustments where necessary.

Their role also involves building and establishing positive relationships with investors, consumers, and regulatory agencies.

Usually, PR specialists organize community programs and corporate sponsorships to promote an organization.

They identify major client groups and contact them to pitch and discuss company product and services.

They also review advertising programs to ensure they align with company goals and culture.

As part of their responsibilities, public relations specialists develop and implement fundraising strategies to solicit grants and other types of funding from donors.

They collaborate with marketing and advertising staff to develop effective ad campaigns.

They also study company objectives to come up with PR action plans that will meet their promotional needs.

In fulfilling their work description, public relations specialists provide sales reps with information effective in establishing contact with the public.

They confer with other departmental heads to take key business decisions and also coordinate response to public incidents or conflicts.

PR specialists make arrangements for public appearances or exhibits for clients; they prepare and deliver speeches to address the public on proposed company action.

Also, purchasing ad space/time on television and radio channels to promote products and services form a part of their description.

To work as a public relations specialist, you need to have a Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or business, or in a similar field.

The major qualities needed to be effective on the job include communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

Public Relations Specialist Job Description Example/Template

The job of a PR specialist involves various functions to ensure a company’s public image is well established and maintained.

The job description example below shows a list of major duties, tasks, and responsibilities commonly assigned to public relations specialists in most firms:

• Write press releases and other promotional material to promote an organization
• Build and maintain positive trust relationship with public interest groups, consumers, and community representatives
• Ensure PR strategies and achievements are favorably perceived by stockholders and general public
• Study the objectives and needs of an organization to develop action plans effective in promoting a brand
• Write and post advertising content online to maintain a web presence
• Collaborate with other departmental heads to develop marketing and sales strategies
• Review and edit organizational publications for internal and external audiences
• Plan company response to public incidents such as environmental or industrial mishap
• Conduct market research to determine public opinion of product and potential for success
• Develop and organize marketing campaigns for company products and services
• Purchase ad space on radio and television channels to promote client products
• Prepare and deliver speeches to address consumers and give insight on company objectives
• Deal with inquiries from the public, the press, and other organizations
• Liaise with clients and managerial staff to prepare budgets and set objectives
• Evaluate advertising and promotional programs to ensure they match with company PR goals.

Requirements – Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge – for Public Relations Specialist Job

If you are seeking the PR specialist job, the following are major requirements most firms may expect you to meet to be qualified for hiring:

• Education and Training: To become a public relations specialist, you require a Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, English, or business administration. Having some certifications from recognized marketing or public relations institutions provide a competitive edge for the PR specialist job
• Communication Skill: Public relations specialists are able to write and deliver speeches to influence public opinion and promote an organization
• Interpersonal Skill: They work with employees, regulatory agencies, and investors to popularize a brand
• Organizational Skill: They are well versed in coordinating the PR operations of a company.

Conclusion

Are you an employer looking to hire for the public relations specialist role? If you are and you need to make a job description for the position, the sample copy provided in this post can be useful in creating one fast.

You will be able to design an effective description that attracts the best PR specialists to your firm.

This post is equally beneficial to job seekers interested in the PR specialist career. They will be able to learn and have deeper knowledge of the duties and responsibilities of the role. This will make them better prepared for the career.