Press Relations Specialist job description.
A Press Relations Specialist manages an organization's relationships with journalists and media outlets to shape public perception and coverage. They draft press materials, coordinate interviews, and monitor media coverage to protect and promote the organization's reputation.
The Press Relations Specialist job description · $29
The full editable .docx — role summary, 8 worked responsibilities, qualifications, and skills, formatted for your letterhead. Delivered to your inbox within 24 hours — usually instantly.
Role: Press Relations Specialist Reports to: Communications Director or PR Manager
A Press Relations Specialist manages an organization's relationships with journalists and media outlets to shape public perception and coverage. They draft press materials, coordinate interviews, and monitor media coverage to protect and promote the organization's reputation.
- Draft press releases, media advisories, and talking points
- Build and maintain relationships with journalists and media outlets
- Coordinate interviews, press events, and media briefings
What's inside the document.
One-paragraph plain-English explanation of the role's outcome and scope.
8 responsibilities phrased the way the work is actually done.
4 qualifications a candidate must have to perform on day 30.
3 qualifications that would make a candidate excellent in year two.
5 skill chips you can copy directly into your ATS.
Communications Director or PR Manager
A complete document set.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — signature-ready
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
- 12 months of updates to this document
- Commercial-use licence for internal and client work
The work, not the title.
- Draft press releases, media advisories, and talking points
- Build and maintain relationships with journalists and media outlets
- Coordinate interviews, press events, and media briefings
- Monitor news coverage and compile media reports for leadership
- Respond to media inquiries in a timely and accurate manner
- Support crisis communication planning and rapid response
- Collaborate with marketing and executive teams on messaging
- Track press relations metrics and coverage outcomes
Required — and what would make a candidate excellent.
- Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, or Public Relations
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Experience drafting press materials under deadline pressure
- Familiarity with media monitoring and distribution tools
- 3+ years of press or media relations experience
- Established relationships with relevant industry press
- Crisis communications experience
Eight steps from download to publish.
- 01Open the Press Relations Specialist job description in Word or your one-click Google Docs copy.
- 02Replace placeholders for company name, reporting line, and location with your specifics.
- 03Tighten the summary to one paragraph that names the team's outcome, not just the role.
- 04Edit the responsibilities to match the actual scope of the seat — aim for 6 to 8 items, not 12.
- 05Separate required qualifications from preferred. Required is what a candidate must have to do the work on day 30; preferred is what would make them excellent in year two.
- 06Add salary range guidance using BLS, Payscale, or your own band data — do not copy generic figures.
- 07Have the hiring manager and one peer read it. Cut anything that wouldn't survive a candidate question.
- 08Publish to your ATS, intranet, and external careers page.
The right document at the right moment.
Use this Press Relations Specialist job description any time you are opening or reopening a seat at this level. The mid band sets the calibration — copy the document, tighten it to your specific scope, and circulate to the hiring panel before the first interview.
The reporting line (Communications Director or PR Manager) and skills list are starting points. Override either if your org structure or stack differs from the norm — the template is a draft, not a contract.
Honest answers before you download.
- How does press relations differ from broader public relations?
- Press relations focuses specifically on media and journalist relationships, while public relations covers a wider range of stakeholders including customers, investors, and community groups.
- Do candidates need existing media contacts?
- Established relationships are a strong plus, but many organizations hire based on writing ability and communication skill, with contacts built on the job.
Other documents in this neighbourhood.
Public Relations Specialist
A Public Relations Specialist manages an organization's public image and media relationships.
Communications Manager
A Communications Manager leads internal and external communications for an organization, shaping messaging, managing media relations, and protecting brand reputation.
Public Relations Specialist
A Public Relations Specialist manages an organization's public image by writing press materials, coordinating with media contacts, and monitoring coverage and public sentiment.
This Press Relations Specialist job description is a professionally drafted starting point for your hiring process and is not legal advice. Hiring practice varies by jurisdiction (e.g. pay-transparency laws differ across US states and AU jurisdictions). Adapt this document for your specific location and have employment counsel review any clauses you add before publishing. Salary varies by region, employer type, and experience. Reference BLS or current industry surveys for ranges. Full disclaimer.