How to hire an assistant director of public relations

How to hire an assistant director of public relations, step by step

Here's a step-by-step assistant director of public relations hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an assistant director of public relations job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new assistant director of public relations
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The assistant director of public relations hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   An assistant director of public relations's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, assistant directors of public relations from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of assistant directors of public relations and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Assistant Director Of Public Relations	Description	Hourly rate
   Assistant Director Of Public Relations	Public relations managers plan and direct the creation of material that will maintain or enhance the public image of their employer or client. Fundraising managers coordinate campaigns that bring in donations for their organization.	$13-38
   Campaign Manager	Campaign managers are responsible for developing, executing, and managing marketing campaigns for events, products, and services targeting consumers or organizations. These professionals typically collaborate with external agencies in the preparation and execution of campaigns... Show more	$26-52
   Communications Officer	A communications officer is responsible for maintaining the brand image of an organization through monitoring marketing campaigns and public relations techniques. Communications officers handle press releases, social media management, media outreach, reviewing digital contents, and disseminating public communications within the company's premises and appropriate audience... Show more	$12-29

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Press Releases
   • Alumni
   • Graphic Design
   • External Communications
   • Feature Stories
   • Press Conferences
   • Web Content
   • Event Planning
   • Communications Strategy
   • NCAA
   • Biographies
   • Photo Shoots
   • Spokesperson
   • Facebook

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Hire, train and manage play-by-play broadcasters guaranteeing a professional and informative listening experience.
   • Work with social media team to create Facebook posts for Burpee events and online media placements.
   • Direct internal communications tactics including newsletters, Intranet, domestic and international executive meetings, and special events.
   • Direct strategic planning and execution for entertainment partnership platform to include B2C communications and marketing.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your assistant director of public relations job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. An assistant director of public relations salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, assistant directors of public relations' average salary in south carolina is 57% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level assistant directors of public relations earn 64% less than senior-level assistant directors of public relations.
   • Certifications. An assistant director of public relations with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in an assistant director of public relations's salary.

   Average assistant director of public relations salary

   $49,080yearly

   $23.60 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level assistant director of public relations salary

   $29,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 28, 2025

4. Writing an assistant director of public relations job description

   An assistant director of public relations job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of an assistant director of public relations job description:

   Assistant director of public relations job description example

   **School of Law, Stanford, California, United States**
   
   Communications
   
   Post Date Sep 02, 2022
   
   Requisition # 96079
   
   **Assistant Director of Communications, Office of Communications & PR, Stanford Law School**
   
   **Grade H - Writer 2**
   
   **_One-year Fixed Term Position_**
   
   This position plays a key role in the highly dynamic Communications and Public Relations department. Our department's work involves creative representation of law school activities, scholarship and thought leadership in order to reach the goals of achieving and sustaining a positive image in the minds of law school constituents and the community at large.
   
   The primary responsibility for this role is content creation for the department and it reports to the Associate Dean for Communications and Public Relations. Under day-to-day direction from the Director of Media Relations and the Director of Publications, this person will split their time between media and publications, conducting media relations activities, providing issues management and research support, and writing materials that showcase SLS news, strengths, activities, brand, scholarship, intellectual capital, and leadership for SLS institutional channels. Entrusted with confidential and sensitive material, must exercise good judgment. Mix of job responsibilities is 60 percent media team and 40 percent publications.
   
   **CORE DUTIES:**
   
   + Develop and research ideas for written publication/communication on topics of moderate complexity.
   
   + Consult with team to understand the need and purpose of a project.
   
   + Compose written material for diverse audiences across a variety of channels.
   
   + Manage production of own publications/communications and adhere to deadlines.
   
   + Manage production of own stories, and adhere to deadlines.
   
   + Develop, compile and edit supplemental materials that support written communication (i.e., backgrounders, biographies, executive talking points, and other related materials).
   
   + Establish and maintain contacts with key sources to identify SLS stories and newsworthy events to promote and disseminate information.
   
   + Maintain department style standards.
   
   **Writing and editing:** Work with the Director of Media Relations and the Director of Publications on a variety of writing and editing assignments as key content generator for the department.
   
   + Write institutional news stories and press releases on SLS activities and other items of interest for distribution to the national/local media and other external audiences.
   
   + Write news and feature stories about SLS activities for the _Stanford Lawyer_ and other publications/materials
   
   + Write content for high-level pages on the SLS website, when needed.
   
   + Write institutional news stories and press releases on SLS activities and other items of interest for distribution to the national/local media and other external audiences.
   
   + Writing assignments will also include institutional news announcements, press advisories, press releases, faculty bios, media pitches, profiles of faculty scholarship, FAQs, Q&As, backgrounders, talking points, standby statements, magazine stories, etc.
   
   + Fact-checking and proofreading
   
   **Research Support**
   
   Work with the Director of Media Relations and the Associate Dean for Communications and Public Relations on media research projects: preparing media materials.
   
   + Assist with preparing media materials/backgrounding for faculty/leadership interviews, including outlet/reporter research, topic and competitor research, etc.
   
   + Assist with ongoing media research and monitoring to support issues management.
   
   + Conduct ongoing research/media tracking of T14 competitors under the guidance of Director of Media Relations
   
   + Assist with research for the _Stanford Lawyer_ magazine, Legal Aggregate Q&As on timely topics and other publications.
   
   + Become super-user of media tools including Cision and Factiva.
   
   **QUALIFICATIONS:**
   
   Bachelor's degree and five years of related experience, or a combination of education and relevant experience. Experience on aCommunications team within a corporation, in higher education, or at a public relations agency, or comparable work experience.
   
   **Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:**
   
   + Proven success in writing for publication in print, web, and other platforms.
   
   + Excellent writing, interpersonal, and oral communication skills with proven ability to present, write, edit, and organize thoughts in a clear, concise, and well-organized manner.
   
   + Ability to understand materials of moderate complexity and synthesize across multiple sources to produce materials for diverse audiences.
   
   + Ability to change voice and writing style to fit a particular audience and purpose.
   
   + Firm understanding of web technologies and applications, including social networking, social media tools, and current communication trends.
   
   + Excellent interpersonal skills and able to interact effectively with a diverse array of people, including senior leaders.
   
   + Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
   
   + Ability to manage and prioritize multiple deadlines.
   
   + Excellent time management skills.
   
   **Preferred Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:**
   
   + Ability to produce content quickly; a journalism background is preferred; ability to provide quick turn-around on copy and complete a high volume of writing assignments in short timeframes.
   
   + Experience with institutional communications and media relations
   
   + Ability to ascertain what is newsworthy and interesting and to effectively pitch stories to the media. Knowledge of journalism, reporting and public relations.
   
   + Ability to understand and translate complex legal concepts.
   
   + Ability to work in a fast-paced, dead-line driven, team-oriented office.
   
   + Technical competence with databases required. Experience with new media required.
   
   + Must be an energetic individual with a strong work ethic who can take initiative.
   
   + Ability to interface with diverse constituencies, i.e., faculty, general public, students, staff, media and alumni and those at all levels.
   
   + Must be able to work with a high level of independence, seeking consultation and consensus where appropriate.
   
   + Must have a sophisticated and balanced approach to challenging situations.
   
   _Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job._
   
   **Working Conditions:**
   
   This is a full-time hybrid position, working a schedule with a combination of remote and on-site presence at Stanford Law School.Some on-site work is required each week.
   
   **Why Stanford is for You**
   
   Stanford's dedicated 16,000 staff come from diverse educational and career backgrounds. We are a collaborative environment that thrives on innovation and continuous improvement. At Stanford, we seek talent committed to excellence, driven to impact the future of our legacy, and improve lives on a global sphere. We provide competitive salaries, excellent health care and retirement plans, and a generous vacation policy, including additional time off during our winter closure. Our generousperksalign with what matters to you:
   
   + **Freedom to grow.** Take advantage of career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or audit a course. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or leader discuss global issues.
   
   + **A caring culture.** We understand the importance of your personal and family time and provide you access to wellness programs, child-care resources, parent education and consultation, elder care and caregiving support.
   
   + **A healthier you.** We make wellness a priority by providing access to world-class exercise facilities. Climb our rock wall, or participate in one of hundreds of health or fitness classes.
   
   + **Discovery and fun.** Visit campus gardens, trails, and museums.
   
   + **Enviable resources.** We offer free commuter programs and ridesharing incentives. Enjoy discounts for computers, cell phones, recreation, travel, entertainment, and more!
   
   We pride ourselves in being aculturethat encourages and empowers you.
   
   Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer.
   
   Stanford Law School seeks to hire the best talent and to promote a safe and secure environment for all members of the university community and its property. To that end, new staff hires must successfully pass a background check prior to starting work at Stanford University.
   
   Additional Information
   
   + **Schedule: Full-time**
   
   + **Job Code: 4272**
   
   + **Employee Status: Fixed-Term**
   
   + **Grade: H**
   

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find assistant directors of public relations for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your assistant director of public relations job on Zippia to find and recruit assistant director of public relations candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites such as pr news job board, pr council, prsa job center, hoojobs.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit assistant directors of public relations, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new assistant director of public relations

   Once you've selected the best assistant director of public relations candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new assistant director of public relations. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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