Career Profiles Public Relations Director
A public relations director is a person that develops the company's strategic public relations programs. This often includes media relations, community relations, internal communications and investor relations. Basically, it's all about keeping good relations with the public and customers of the company.
There are no formal requirements for a public relations director, but a college or university degree would help. Experience is essential, though. At least seven years of experience is required. Experience can be gained in different ways, for example an internship or a previous job in public relations. These days many colleges and universities offer public relationships degrees and also offer internship opportunities. Building up a portfolio is very beneficial as well, because this gives you higher chances in being successful on job applications.
To gain experience in PR, you often have to start down the bottom. Beginners in public relations often start of with maintaining files of materials of the companies activities, scan newspapers and magazines for proper articles to clip and gather information for speeches and pamphlets. They also might have to answer calls, escort visitors and clients, work on invitation lists and work on details for press conferences. After gaining experience they will write press releases, speeches and other articles for publication.
Creativity, initiative, good judgment and communicating thoughts clearly and in a simple manner are the skills needed for the trade. Furthermore, other important skills are problem-solving, decision making and research skills are a big plus too. Big organization, however, often have special training programs for new employees.
As a public relations manager you will have to be extremely flexible, as schedules often change. This is often to meet deadlines, deliver speeches attend meetings or because of traveling. A typical work week of a public relations manager is 35 to 40 hours a week.
The average salary of a public relations director is about $104,000. Apparently more than 50% of public relations directors earn between $92.000 and $125.000. Competition is likely in entry-level jobs in PR and the job market in PR is likely to grow faster than average.
