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Media relations manager skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted experts
Heidi Mau Ph.D.,
Anne Marie Mitchell
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical media relations manager skills. We ranked the top skills for media relations managers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 17.4% of media relations manager resumes contained press releases as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a media relations manager needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 media relations manager skills for your resume and career

1. Press Releases

Here's how media relations managers use press releases:
  • Developed and produced communication plans and collateral, including newspaper stories, press releases and professional photographs.
  • Developed relationships with key media professionals and composed press releases for distribution.

2. Strategic Communications

Strategic communication is the conscious use of communication by an organization to fulfill its mission. It is a prerequisite and a tool for effective policymaking and public participation that facilitates the exchange of information and establishes consensus amongst different points of view and interests.

Here's how media relations managers use strategic communications:
  • Carried out strategic communications for climate/oceans/fisheries for international nonprofit conservation organization.
  • Advised legal counsel and marketing teams on strategic communications for acquisitions which resulted in improved relationships internally and successful positioning externally

3. External Communications

External communications refer to the exchange of information between the organization one is working with and another organization.

Here's how media relations managers use external communications:
  • Managed internal and external communications for an international relief organization, specifically overseeing collaborative efforts of communications and development teams.
  • Advised Fortune 500 companies with media relations and internal-external communications in Texas, California and Mexico City.

4. Crisis Communications

Crisis communication refers to the communication systems, protocols, and technologies in place that enables an organization to effectively communicate both internally and externally during any major critics or threat faced by the business. Crisis can include major natural disasters, cyber-attacks, product failures, corporate mistakes, PR incidents, reputation crisis, and so on. Crisis communication is critical for reducing the impact of the crisis on the company's operations and public image.

Here's how media relations managers use crisis communications:
  • Developed aggressive media relations and crisis communications strategies to promote the company's positions on many business and public policy issues.
  • Designed industry-leading media strategy for safety, crisis communications, energy efficiency, renewable energy, electric transportation and consumer issues.

5. Web Content

Here's how media relations managers use web content:
  • Managed public relations coordinator responsible for web content and development, physician newsletter, special events and internal client projects.
  • Assumed responsibility for web content management of Massport.com, quickly and seamlessly mastering the SharePoint platform.

6. Corporate Communications

Corporate communication is a way for a company or a business to communicate and interact with their clients, whether external or internal. They usually work as investors, government agencies, employees, the media sector, employees, and the public. It is written reports, advertisements, promotional materials, press releases, interviews, and meetings.

Here's how media relations managers use corporate communications:
  • Developed message strategy for new markets, corporate communications and other related media functions.
  • Provided leadership for the hospital's corporate communications, focusing on employees, physicians, volunteers and the community.

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7. Twitter

Here's how media relations managers use twitter:
  • Reshaped social media platforms including Facebook and Twitter, and provided suggested topics for blog and YouTube content.
  • Helped manage the organization's social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, blogs).

8. Facebook

Here's how media relations managers use facebook:
  • Helped the college utilize social media (including Facebook) to engage alumni and current students.
  • Created and provided content for News & Communications Division's Facebook page and blog.

9. Fact Sheets

A fact sheet is a short, typed or handwritten one-page document that contains the most important information about a specific topic, product, substance, or service in the least amount of space. The aim is to convey key facts and points on a topic in a clear, concise, and easily understandable way and to communicate the most relevant information effectively.

Here's how media relations managers use fact sheets:
  • Write media pitches, media alerts, news releases, and fact sheets.
  • Planned and implemented special events nationally and in Canada, including the development of press materials and fact sheets.

10. Event Planning

Here's how media relations managers use event planning:
  • Coordinated all media contact for the chapter and assisted with event planning.
  • Assisted in special event planning to unveil the hospital.

11. Press Conferences

Here's how media relations managers use press conferences:
  • Handled media inquiries, facilitated media interviews and coordinated global press conferences.
  • Coordinated and assisted in organizing and arranging press conferences and briefings.

12. Subject Matter Experts

Here's how media relations managers use subject matter experts:
  • Pitched and coordinated national broadcast and print interviews for Chairman/CEO, Chief Economist, Treasurer, and subject matter experts.
  • Create talking points to prepare HMSHost's CEO, other executives, and subject matter experts for interviews.

13. Content Creation

Here's how media relations managers use content creation:
  • Managed content creation for company intranet.
  • Lead content creation for University of Chicago Medicine's annual Community Benefit Report.

14. Press Materials

Here's how media relations managers use press materials:
  • Develop and distribute written press materials that are used during story pitching and placement process.
  • Pitch local and national media, write and service press materials, photos.

15. News Stories

News Story is a term that is quite self-explanatory as it refers to all the information that is recorded either in writing or as an interview and aims to inform the public about any particular matter, event, idea or mishap. A news story can be very short as well lengthy depending on the type and quantity of content and consist of relevant facts and figures.

Here's how media relations managers use news stories:
  • Worked with Chinese media to generate news stories, which contributed to increased cargo on the Asia service.
  • Developed and implemented programs to communicate positive news stories.
top-skills

What skills help Media Relations Managers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on media relations manager resumes?

Heidi Mau Ph.D.Heidi Mau Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Assistant Professor, Albright College

Skills particular to industry needs and unique experiences that help a candidate stand out continue to be important to highlight, but what is often forgotten is the emphasis on strong communication skills needed for all professions - written, verbal, visual, and digital communication skills. These are skills that continue to translate across all industries.

Proven skills in advocating and supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion are similarly important across all industries. Being able to speak concretely about actions that positively impact these areas is of particular interest and stand out on a resume.

Skills that highlight the ability to think critically, problem solve, be productive without supervision, and also to collaborate and work with teams - these are skills that continue to be important across all positions. Solid skills in interpersonal and applied communications can greatly enhance these abilities, which are important both within the field and across industries.

What soft skills should all media relations managers possess?

Anne Marie Mitchell

Associate Professor, Columbia College Chicago

First and foremost, the ability to tell a story. Does your cover letter convey who you are and the major milestones of your life and career in logical, chronological order? Each and every bullet point in the experience section of the resume should tell specific stories of what you contributed to the business/cause, the results of your efforts (quantitative and qualitative results are key!), and the growth you enjoyed (were you promoted? given increasing responsibilities?). Every point should be considered a stand-alone story, conveying a message you intentionally want to convey about yourself.

Second, find ways to demonstrate you understand the value of networking. One way is to have a section on professional affiliations (like PRSA or PCC), pre-professional affiliations if just starting out your career (PRSSA or PRSA YPN), or reference networking events or conferences you've attended.

Third, since you are constantly swinging across various industries throughout your career, being interested in many topics, issues and industries are key. Can you show you are open to change and have a wide array of interests and passions? Also, if you have causes or issues you are passionate about, make sure you share them on the resume and/or in the interview. Take any chance to show who you are as a person and what makes you tick. Authenticity is key.

Lastly, as PR is a creative field and you need an open mind to solve your client's most pressing problems, you'll want to demonstrate that you value iteration as a core principle ("Yes, and..." in improv terms). You can show this either by the extracurricular section of your resume, through examples in your experience section, or even in the interview itself.

What hard/technical skills are most important for media relations managers?

Robert Glenn Howard Ph.D.

Director, Digital Studies & DesignLab, Professor, Department of Communication Arts, Affiliated Faculty, University of Wisconsin -- Madison

Technical skills for communication officers include using social media platforms, using digital media software to create graphic, video, and audio content, understanding and doing some basic coding. Understanding the use of metadata tagging, social media marketing techniques, and database design and how those structures work can be assets.

What media relations manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Clarke Caywood

Professor (founder group of IMC and PR in Medill) Joint Doctorate in Business and Journalism - Univ. Wis. Madison, Northwestern University

Rapid and changing from competitors who offer advanced textual intelligence systems to track brands, employees, competitors, public figures, customers, and more.

What type of skills will young media relations managers need?

John HartmanJohn Hartman LinkedIn profile

Emeritus Professor, Central Michigan University

The ability to gather information through multiple methods and distill it, verify it, write about it, and communicate about it through various media and means.

What technical skills for a media relations manager stand out to employers?

Jody McBrienJody McBrien LinkedIn profile

Professor, University of South Florida

Certainly, the technological skills needed in the present include expertise with managing work expectations through virtual platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom. Given that new employees may need to work from home for several more months, self-motivation will be an important asset. Finally, given that distance work has now been a major form of employment for nearly a year, businesses will be needing to re-evaluate how work is done. There has certainly been a shift in how work is done, and many employees will have found that they may be even more productive from home. Employers will need to reconsider the importance of business sites and locations of their employees. They will need to be flexible in their thinking to consider arrangements in which their employees will be most productive.

List of media relations manager skills to add to your resume

Media relations manager skills

The most important skills for a media relations manager resume and required skills for a media relations manager to have include:

  • Press Releases
  • Strategic Communications
  • External Communications
  • Crisis Communications
  • Web Content
  • Corporate Communications
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Fact Sheets
  • Event Planning
  • Press Conferences
  • Subject Matter Experts
  • Content Creation
  • Press Materials
  • News Stories
  • Outreach Efforts
  • Instagram
  • External Audiences
  • Linkedin
  • Service Line
  • Communications Media
  • Content Development
  • Media Management
  • Press Events
  • Press Kits
  • Writing Press Releases
  • Blog Posts
  • Community Relations
  • Event Management
  • SEO
  • Product Launches
  • Business Development
  • Pr Campaigns
  • YouTube
  • Social Media Management
  • Trade Shows
  • Content Marketing
  • Editorials
  • Feature Stories
  • Photo Shoots
  • Brand Marketing
  • Trade Publications
  • ROI
  • Executive Management
  • Clips
  • Physician Practice
  • Copywriting
  • Strategic Partnerships
  • Promotional Materials

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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