How to hire a public relations supervisor

How to hire a public relations supervisor, step by step

Here's a step-by-step public relations supervisor hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the public relations supervisor you need to hire. Certain public relations supervisor roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A public relations supervisor's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, public relations supervisors 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 public relations supervisors and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Public Relations Supervisor	Description	Hourly rate
   Public Relations Supervisor	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.	$25-50
   Media Director	A media director spearheads and oversees a company's entire media-related activities, including marketing and advertising campaigns. They are in charge of setting goals and guidelines, liaising and building positive relationships with external parties, conceptualizing plans for projects and campaigns, and developing strategies to optimize operations... Show more	$35-82
   Manager Of Corporate Communications	A manager of corporate communications is primarily responsible for overseeing the external and internal communications in a company, ensuring everything is running smoothly. They are also responsible for managing marketing communications and public relations, and even developing various marketing content... Show more	$27-58

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Press Releases
   • Account Management
   • Integrated Marketing
   • Direct Reports
   • Guest Service
   • Client Relations
   • Medicaid
   • Account Executives
   • Inbound Calls
   • Guest Satisfaction
   • Press Materials
   • Media Management
   • Performance Management
   • Product Launches

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage public affairs and media efforts including writing and placing op-eds and mobilizing editorial campaigns.
   • Administer corporate oversight of customer expectations and appropriate services to ensure alignment between customer practices and core customer service values.
   • 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 public relations supervisor job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A public relations supervisor can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, public relations supervisors' average salary in mississippi is 36% less than in nevada.
   • Seniority. Entry-level public relations supervisors 48% less than senior-level public relations supervisors.
   • Certifications. A public relations supervisor with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a public relations supervisor's salary.

   Average public relations supervisor salary

   $75,368yearly

   $36.23 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level public relations supervisor salary

   $54,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 29, 2026

4. Writing a public relations supervisor job description

   A public relations supervisor 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. Below, you can find an example of a public relations supervisor job description:

   Public relations supervisor job description example

   The PR Account Supervisor (AS) position requires a strong knowledge of the media landscape, as well as team leadership skills for the AS role. Closely adhering to budgets and timelines, an AS will assume a larger management role on accounts, often serving as the client lead. The role entails serving as a day-to-day client liaison, managing and delegating workflow and reviewing final materials before sending them to the client. Additionally, the AS will grow in their new business role at the agency, becoming more prominent and engrained throughout the process. Role may require leading initial new business calls, taking a leadership role in RFP responses and presentation creation, and joining in-person new business meetings.
   Account Responsibilities
   
   Showcase a strong knowledge of media, consistently offering staff members thoughtful, strategic guidance on pitching efforts and ensure the team achieves media coverage goals
   
   Pitch efforts begin to focus on connecting with larger national outlets and reporters regularly
   
   Lead efforts to develop media strategies for new clients or efforts for a new calendar year
   
   Oversee media material development, writing press releases, pitch letters, media alerts, and other applicable materials, often acting as a final review prior to sending to clients
   
   Demonstrate a true understanding of all clients they manage, from their overall goals to media relations focus to key messaging and priorities, use this knowledge to help guide the account
   
   Routinely assess client happiness, keeping senior leaders updated on any potential issues that may arise with accompanying thoughts on how to navigate these challenges
   
   Build strong client relationships, becoming a trusted partner who is a positive reflection of the values of Motion, and have the willingness to make yourself available to clients when needed/ as appropriate
   
   Serve as a point of contact, lead on-site events and organization when applicable
   
   Make decisions for clients that show strategic thinking and provide creative solutions
   
   Proactively aid clients year-round, regularly offering ideas to help clients achieve their goals
   
   New Business Role
   
   Begin to lead introductory new business calls, providing senior leaders with insights on the opportunity and sharing details on whether the client lead is a potential fit for Motion
   
   Assume a larger role in new business brainstorms, showing prepared ideas with strategic rationale and showcase ability to draw on past experiences
   
   Strategize key aspects of new business proposals by developing robust content that aligns with the potential client's ask
   
   Further develop the ability to create internal and external budgets, timelines and strategic direction for new and existing clients
   
   Guide other team members in the new business process, ensuring all levels gain insights into the important role new business plays for Motion's growth
   
   Develop in-person presentation skills for new business pitches - both presenting and being prepared to answer post-presentation questions
   
   Agency/Internal Responsibilities
   
   Serve as a mentor for interns, AAE, AE and SAE on staff, offering guidance to assist them with their career growth, while also providing insights to agency's senior leaders
   
   Serve as a role model within the agency, demonstrating ways to problem solve and think critically about everything from client issues to internal challenges
   
   Set an example for team members by becoming more involved across departments and stepping outside of solely the PR team, and work to become involved with and/or lead internal committees or projects
   
   Act as a liaison between all staff members, working to address issues and solve problems within the agency
   
   Further a positive work environment with a can-do attitude

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right public relations supervisor for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your public relations supervisor job on Zippia to find and recruit public relations supervisor 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

   To successfully recruit public relations supervisors, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to 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 public relations supervisor

   Once you've selected the best public relations supervisor 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 equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new public relations supervisor first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

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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