what is a PR comms specialist?
As a PR comms specialist, you develop and maintain a favourable public image for your employer. You handle a company's communication with its stakeholders and the general public. That means you write press releases for media and prepare social media posts. When you work in government offices, you inform the public about the government department's activities and the public's benefits.
When ou are a PR comms specialist, it is important to understand the attitudes and concerns of your customers and audience to maintain a good relationship with them. For instance, you maintain a good relationship with journalists and company partners. The relationships help you pass information to the public faster and more effectively. When you draft a press release, your contacts in the media help you circulate the information by printing it in their newspapers or posting it online.
As a PR comms specialist, you also host corporate events that foster the brand image of your company. Social events improve public recognition of the company. A major part of your job is clarifying issues about your employer. You clarify the company's position by attending interviews and writing press releases, especially if there is negative press.
Would working as a PR comms specialist suit your exceptional creative and interpersonal skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a PR comms specialist role.
PR comms specialist jobsaverage salary of a PR comms specialist
According to ONS, the average compensation package of a PR comms specialist is £32,500 per year. Trainee and graduate PR comms specialists start with a salary of £26,607 annually, while experienced professionals earn £37,725 yearly.
how to increase the salary of a PR comms specialist
The compensation package of a PR comms specialist fluctuates depending on numerous factors. Your education and experience determine your salary. You can negotiate higher pay when you have better qualifications combined with experience. Conversely, minimal educational qualifications and a few years of experience limit your salary expectations.
Your employer also influences your potential earnings. Working for corporations may pay more than working for individuals. However, when you are a PR comms specialist of a high-profile individual in government or the private sector, you are likely to earn a higher salary. Working for large organisations generally pays more than small businesses. The complexity of the role in large companies warrants the compensation package. In addition, they have a bigger budget for public relations since they have a large audience.
Working in large cities always has various perks. Among them is a higher compensation package since employers adjust for the cost of living. The demand for PR comms specialists also pushes the salaries higher.
types of PR comms specialists
Some of the types of PR comms specialists include:
- media relations specialists: as a PR comms specialist in charge of media relations, you focus on building relationships with broadcasters, reporters and bloggers to improve your brand's media coverage. Having a good relationship with the media helps secure free media coverage. A media relations specialist also studies news trends and finds ways to exploit them to improve the popularity of their brand.
- community relations specialists: you specialise in building your company's reputation and relationship with the local community. When you have a healthy relationship with local people, it's easier to get local support on various projects and improve corporate social responsibility.
- crisis communications specialists: you specialise in disasters and crises that could affect the company's reputation. For instance, you deal with issues related to faulty product recalls or negative social media content about an employee.
working as a PR comms specialist
As a PR comms specialist, you play a valuable role in the strategic communication of a business, brand or individual. You also secure beneficial relationships for your employer. Let's explore a PR comms specialist's duties, work environments and career prospects.
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duties and responsibilities
Some of the daily duties of a PR comms specialist include:
- newsjacking/rapid response to breaking news stories: as a PR comms specialist, you add your opinions to a breaking news story to promote your employer. You also add unique angles and spark conversations about a company's strategic steps or progress. Providing an opinion increases the exposure of the information, and you can reach a larger audience.
- writing press releases and content: as a PR comms specialist, you use your storytelling skills to inform the public about recent developments by your employer. When a company needs to communicate with the public, you draft press releases to be shared with the media and create social media posts. You develop a communication strategy and content suitable for the media. For instance, blog posts can be more in-depth than social media posts.
- protecting and defending a company's reputation: when your employer faces a publicity crisis, you protect and defend their reputation. You develop a crisis management plan for handling the negative press. Crisis management involves attending interviews and responding to social media comments. You also release a statement on behalf of your employer clarifying their position.
- developing a public relations strategy: as a PR comms specialist, you constantly review your employer's PR strategy to ensure a healthy brand reputation. Your PR strategy integrates communication goals and maintains good publicity. It also provides steps and detailed plans for crisis management.
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work environment
A PR comms specialist works in an office environment drafting press releases and responding to social media comments. Sometimes, your job involves public and TV appearances when issuing press statements or attending interviews. You also travel with your employer to ensure their public addresses are seamless. Remote working opportunities are available, but they are rare.
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who are your colleagues?
Your colleagues as a PR comms specialist include public relations officers, communications managers and communication directors. You also work with chief executive officers and marketing managers, marketing coordinators, as well as other specialists that could include digital marketing managers, social media managers, SEO specialists, and content writers.
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work schedule
As a PR comms specialist, you work 40 hours weekly in full-time roles. The work hours can extend to evenings or weekends when planning or hosting corporate events. You also attend dinners with clients and business partners to foster good relationships. Part-time roles are rare, but short-term contracts are available.
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job outlook
A PR comms specialist is an expert due to their extensive experience in entry-level roles like public relations officer. You can join the role from a marketing or customer service department. You have great opportunities for career progression, including becoming a communications manager or director. Some PR comms specialists become consultants after years of experience in the role.
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advantages of finding a PR comms specialist job through randstad
Finding your PR comms specialist job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a PR comms specialist is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
education and skills
A PR comms specialist requires the following educational qualifications:
- university degree: most employers expect qualifications in English, public relations, business management and marketing and communications. The courses equip you with the necessary communications skills and prepare you for managing public relations.
- work experience: to become a successful PR comms specialist, you require extensive experience in public relations and communications. You can work in entry-level public relations, customer service or marketing jobs to improve your skills and gain experience.
skills and competencies
A PR comms specialist requires the following qualities:
- timing and news awareness: as a PR comms specialist, great timing is crucial to ensure you align your company statements with the trending topics. Timing and news awareness help you forecast your employer's communication needs to create a long-term public relations plan. News awareness helps you stay on trend and create PR content relevant to the market.
- relationship building skills: media professionals are always looking for newsworthy and credible stories. With so many news sources, an engaging and important story may not make the news if you don't have a good relationship with journalists. As a PR comms specialist, it is vital to establish a good relationship with journalists and other industry professionals.
- creative writing skills: as a PR comms specialist, you are expected to write creative stories that communicate value and engage your clients. Creative writing skills help you master the art of storytelling and use it to build a rapport with the audience.
- complex problem-solving skills: as a PR comms specialist, you require problem-solving skills to analyse ideas and use logic to determine the best solutions to public relations nightmares. Your problem-solving ability helps you notice when something is wrong and identify the nature of the problem.
FAQs
FAQs about working as a PR comms specialist
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what is the role of a PR comms specialist?
As a PR comms specialist, you build a positive public image for a company or individuals you represent. You handle negative press and supervise communication outflow in the organisation. Your job involves crafting media releases and developing social media posts for your clients. Want to learn more about working as a PR comms specialist? Then check out this article.
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what skills does a PR comms specialist need?
As a PR comms specialist, you communicate with the press and the public. The most important skills in the role are writing, speaking and listening. Writing skills help you develop social media posts and press releases that resonate with the general public. Want to learn more about working as a PR comms specialist? Then check out this article.
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is PR comms specialist a good job?
Becoming a PR comms specialist is a promising career with various growth opportunities. It is a well-respected career that helps build a positive company image among investors and customers. PR comms specialists also earn lucrative salaries and can progress to higher roles in the company, like communications directors. Want to learn more about working as a PR comms specialist? Then check out this article.
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is PR comms specialist a marketing job?
A PR comms specialist is not a marketer. They build and shape a healthy brand reputation and establish a good company image. While the PR job isn't marketing, it can boost business marketing efforts by maintaining a good brand reputation. Want to learn more about working as a PR comms specialist? Then check out this article.
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how do I apply for a PR comms specialist vacancy?
Applying for a PR comms specialist job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search PR comms specialists job offers. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here!
