Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Public Relations Manager
What public relations managers actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for a public relations manager?
Scan news coverage. From there, the day usually includes set communications strategy, manage media relations, and lead crisis communications. Full time, often with evening events and crisis calls.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a public relations manager working full time.
- Scan news coverage.
- Lead the team meeting.
- Prep the CEO for an interview.
- Lunch with a reporter.
- Review a campaign plan.
- Handle a social media issue.
- Report results.
Where public relations managers work
PR managers work in offices, agencies and at events.
Hours and schedule
Full time, often with evening events and crisis calls.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Set communications strategy
- Manage media relations
- Lead crisis communications
- Oversee campaigns
- Write executive messages
- Lead PR staff
- Measure results
Tools you’ll use every day
- Media databases
- Social listening tools
- Press release distribution
- CMS
- Analytics dashboards
- Presentation tools
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- High pay
- Creative strategy
- Influence
- Varied work
What’s hard
- Crisis pressure
- Always on
- Hard-to-measure results
- Long hours
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I write well
- I stay calm in crises
- I like strategy
- I build relationships
- I like leading teams
- I want high pay
Not sure? Take the free Public Relations Manager fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Follow disclosure rules
- Protect confidential info
- Avoid misleading claims
- Follow fundraising ethics