What Does A Public Relations and Fundraising Manager Do (including Their Typical Day at Work)

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Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

PR Managers

PR Managers plan, direct, or coordinate activities designed to create or maintain a favorable public image or raise issue awareness for their organization or client; or if engaged in fundraising, plan, direct, or coordinate activities to solicit and maintain funds for special projects or nonprofit organizations.

Salary
$135580
Becoming One
Hard
Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality


What they do

PR Managers plan, direct, or coordinate activities designed to create or maintain a favorable public image or raise issue awareness for their organization or client; or if engaged in fundraising, plan, direct, or coordinate activities to solicit and maintain funds for special projects or nonprofit organizations.

  • Establish goals for soliciting funds, develop policies for collection and safeguarding of contributions, and coordinate disbursement of funds.
  • Identify main client groups and audiences, determine the best way to communicate publicity information to them, and develop and implement a communication plan.
  • Develop and maintain the company’s corporate image and identity, which includes the use of logos and signage.
  • Manage special events, such as sponsorship of races, parties introducing new products, or other activities the firm supports, to gain public attention through the media without advertising directly.

Typical day

On a daily basis, PR Managers develop and maintain the company’s corporate image and identity, which includes the use of logos and signage. They facilitate consumer relations or the relationship between parts of the company, such as the managers and employees, or different branch offices.

A typical day for a Public Relations and Fundraising Manager will also include:

  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, government officials, and media representatives and use these relationships to develop new business opportunities.
  • Establish goals for soliciting funds, develop policies for collection and safeguarding of contributions, and coordinate disbursement of funds.
  • Assign, supervise, and review the activities of public relations staff.
  • Manage communications budgets.
  • Evaluate advertising and promotion programs for compatibility with public relations efforts.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, PR Managers also manage communications budgets. They may also evaluate advertising and promotion programs for compatibility with public relations efforts.

On a weekly to monthly basis, PR Managers maintain company archives. They might also identify main client groups and audiences, determine the best way to communicate publicity information to them, and develop and implement a communication plan.

In addition, they write interesting and effective press releases, prepare information for media kits, and develop and maintain company internet or intranet web pages.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them direct activities of external agencies, establishments, and departments that develop and implement communication strategies and information programs.

To some PR Managers, it is also their responsibility to establish goals for soliciting funds, develop policies for collection and safeguarding of contributions, and coordinate disbursement of funds.

What is the job like

Job satisfaction

High

Is this job meaningful

High

73% said they were satisfied with their job and 65% said they found their job meaningful.


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Pros

Suitable for people who like to start and carry out projects.

Suitable for people who wants job security and a good working condition.

This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.

One of the highest-paid careers in the world.

Cons

Not suitable for people who like to solve problems mentally.

It is hard to get into this career. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.

Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).

How much do they make

Average salary

$135580 per year

Average hourly wage

$65 per hour

Entry-level PR Managers with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $66,740 to $86,440 per year or $32 to $42 per hour.

Salary by experience Annual Hourly
Highest (Top 10%) $208,000+ $100+
Senior (Top 25%) $165,340 $79
Median $118,430 $57
Junior (Bottom 25%) $86,440 $42
No experience (Bottom 10%) $66,740 $32

This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for PR Managers based on their average annual salary.

Salary by industry Annual Hourly
Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing $205980 $99.03
Couriers and Express Delivery Services $197880 $95.14
Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing $183080 $88.02
Cable and Other Subscription Programming $179510 $86.31
Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents and Brokers $176200 $84.71
Waste Collection $172440 $82.90
Support Activities for Mining $171430 $82.42
Oil and Gas Extraction $167240 $80.40
Scientific Research and Development Services $166200 $79.90
Other Information Services $165150 $79.40

View more salary by industries here.

Where can they work

Where can PR Managers work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of PR Managers including the average salary in that industry.

Employers Total Employed Annual Salary Hourly Wages
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools 10850 $119810 $57.60
Management of Companies and Enterprises 7400 $150260 $72.24
Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services 7310 $161180 $77.49
Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations 5150 $156230 $75.11
Grantmaking and Giving Services 4760 $134900 $64.86
Social Advocacy Organizations 3730 $134600 $64.71
Local Government 2900 $110160 $52.96
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals 2460 $132560 $63.73
Elementary and Secondary Schools 2150 $116380 $55.95
Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services 1900 $151640 $72.91

What is the work day like

Working hours

Less than 40 hours
1%

40 hours
30%

More than 40 hours
69%

Working schedule

81%

19%

0%

Email

How often do you use email in this job?

Once a week
0%

Every day
100%

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Once a week
10%

Every day
90%

Group discussions

How often do you have group discussions in this job?

Once a week
2%

Every day
98%

Public speaking

How often does this job require you to do public speaking?

Never
0%

Once a year
28%

Once a month
32%

Once a week
40%

Every day
0%

Level of competition

How much competitive pressure is in this job?

Not competitive at all
4%

Slightly competitive
17%

Moderately competitive
22%

Highly competitive
47%

Extremely competitive
10%

What is the work environment like

Office-style environment

Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition

Never
1%

Once a year or more
0%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
1%

Every day
98%

Warehouse-style environment

Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse

Never
53%

Once a year or more
44%

Once a month or more
3%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
0%

Outdoors

Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions

Never
37%

Once a year or more
61%

Once a month or more
3%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
0%

Outdoors – Under Cover

Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)

Never
28%

Once a year or more
72%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
0%

How to become one

Difficulty to become one

Hard
You will need a considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience. Careers in this difficulty category usually require a Bachelor’s degree and several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. Similar careers include Database Administrators, Chemists, Art Directors, and Accountants.

Required level of education

What level of education do you need to perform the job?

Less than a High School Diploma
0%

High School Diploma or equivalent
0%

Post-Secondary Certificate
0%

Some College Courses
11%

Associate’s Degree or similar
0%

Bachelor’s Degree
72%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
5%

Master’s Degree
7%

Post-Master’s Certificate
5%

First Professional Degree
0%

Doctoral Degree
0%

Post-Doctoral Training
0%

Relevant majors

Business/Corporate Communications

Any program in business or corporate communications not included above.

Business/Corporate Communications

A program that prepares individuals to function in an organization as a composer, editor, and proofreader of business or business-related communications.

Communication Management and Strategic Communications

A program that focuses on the critical thinking, analysis, and practical skills essential to developing and implementing communication strategies that advance organizations goals and missions. Includes instruction in communication management, crisis communication, communications law, digital and traditional marketing strategies, media relations, social media strategies, strategic communication, traditional and emerging media, and writing for the media.


International and Intercultural Communication

A program that focuses on the specialized knowledge and skills needed for effective communication in the international community and among people of different cultures; and that prepares individuals to function at the national and international levels as journalists, public relations specialists, travel industry representatives, intercultural trainers, and/or foreign service officers. Includes instruction in journalism, communications, intercultural and international relations, marketing and public relations, and global communications policy.

Political Communication

A program that focuses on human and media communication in the political process and that prepares individuals to function as members of political and public affairs organizations, political campaign staffs, and related government and media entities. Includes instruction in media effects, political speaking and debating, political advertising and marketing, image management, political journalism, opinion polling, and aspects of print and broadcast media related to the production and distribution of media messages in political settings.

Public Relations/Image Management

A program that focuses on the theories and methods for managing the media image of a business, organization, or individual and the communication process with stakeholders, constituencies, audiences, and the general public; and that prepares individuals to function as public relations assistants, technicians, and managers. Includes instruction in public relations theory; related principles of advertising, marketing, and journalism; message/image design; image management; special event management; media relations; community relations; public affairs; and internal communications.


Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication

A general program that focuses on organizational communication, public relations, and advertising; and that prepares individuals to function in a wide range of public and private sector positions requiring the skills of persuasive communication. Includes instruction in communications, public relations, and advertising theory; principles and techniques of persuasion; message/image design; marketing strategy; professional writing; public speaking and multi-media presentation skills; digital communications; and applied research.

Mass Communication/Media Studies

A program that focuses on the analysis and criticism of media institutions and media texts, how people experience and understand media content, and the roles of media in producing and transforming culture. Includes instruction in communications regulation, law, and policy; media history; media aesthetics, interpretation, and criticism; the social and cultural effects of mass media; cultural studies; the economics of media industries; visual and media literacy; and the psychology and behavioral aspects of media messages, interpretation, and utilization.

Speech Communication and Rhetoric

A program that focuses on the scientific, humanistic, and critical study of human communication in a variety of formats, media, and contexts. Includes instruction in the theory and practice of interpersonal, group, organizational, professional, and intercultural communication; speaking and listening; verbal and nonverbal interaction; rhetorical theory and criticism; performance studies; argumentation and persuasion; technologically mediated communication; popular culture; and various contextual applications.


Communication

A program that focuses on the comprehensive study of communication, and that spans the study of mass communication/media studies, old and new media technologies, social and political applications, and speech communication and rhetoric. Includes instruction in interpersonal, group, organizational, and intercultural communication; theories of communication; critical thinking, argumentation, and persuasion; written communication; printed, electronic, and digital media; rhetorical tradition and criticism; media, society, and culture; consequences and effects of mass media; media social science and criticism; and quantitative and qualitative methods of inquiry.

Relevant work experience

How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?

None
5%

1 month
0%

1 to 3 months
0%

3 to 6 months
5%

6 months to 1 year
0%

1 to 2 years
2%

2 to 4 years
39%

4 to 6 years
9%

6 to 8 years
24%

8 to 10 years
1%

Over 10 years
15%

On The Job Training

How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?

None or short demonstration
12%

1 month
47%

1 to 3 months
5%

3 to 6 months
14%

6 months to 1 year
23%

1 to 2 years
0%

2 to 4 years
0%

4 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
0%

Should you become one

Best personality type for this career

The Leader

People with this personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.

The Builder
19%

People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.


The Thinker
19%

People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.


The Artist
71%

People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.


The Helper
52%

People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.


The Leader
100%

People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.


The Organizer
52%

People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.


You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tend to like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk-taking and often deal with business.

They also like working with forms, designs, and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.

Work Values

Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?

Achievement
76%

You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.

Working Conditions
88%

You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.

Recognition
71%

You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.

Relationships
86%

You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.

Support
67%

You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.

Independence
86%

You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.

FAQ


Don’t know which career to pursue?

Take the career quiz to find careers that match your personality type.

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