Public Relations Manager Jobs in Illinois
Public Relations Manager jobs in Illinois are in strong demand, concentrated in corporate communications, healthcare, financial services, higher education, and nonprofit advocacy, with openings at every level from coordinator-track to senior director. Chicago anchors the market, but Naperville, Evanston, and Springfield each carry steady hiring activity, with established employers like Allstate, United Airlines, and the University of Chicago regularly seeking communications professionals. Crisis communications, media relations, and internal corporate communications are the most in-demand specializations across Illinois right now. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Public Relations Manager JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 12+ Public Relations Manager jobs
Expected pay for this position is $33.52 - $39.44/hour. Actual pay will be determined by experience, skills and internal equity. This is a Salaried position.
POSITION SUMMARY:
Mandatory in office until fully functional in position, then mandatory a minimum of 3 days a week. This position occasionally works evenings or weekends to support marketing-sponsored community events in Greater Rockford. Individual frequently works with regional and hospital leaders, providers and local media representing OSF so should have excellent executive presence.
Experience:
- 5 years’ experience in communications or a marketing setting.
- Completion of the following four independent study courses within 120 days of hire: Introduction to Incident Command System for Health Care/Hospitals (ICS-100); ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS-200); National Incident Management Systems, An Introduction (IS-700); and National Response Frameworks, An Introduction (IS-800).
Other skills/knowledge:
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Solid computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft software. Strong analytical and problem solving skills, with the ability to be detail oriented. Proactive approach to relationship management, and ability to communicate complex issues to employees.
- This includes internships, extracurricular activities, and community volunteerism.
- Ability to work well under pressure and to manage multiple projects at once.
- Must be flexible and adaptable to unexpected changes. Analytical skills necessary in order to determine what type and amount of information can be released to media.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Experience: N/A
OSF HealthCare is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Expected pay for this position is $33.52 - $39.44/hour. Actual pay will be determined by experience, skills and internal equity. This is a Salaried position.
POSITION SUMMARY:
Mandatory in office until fully functional in position, then mandatory a minimum of 3 days a week. This position occasionally works evenings or weekends to support marketing-sponsored community events in Greater Rockford. Individual frequently works with regional and hospital leaders, providers and local media representing OSF so should have excellent executive presence.
Experience:
- 5 years’ experience in communications or a marketing setting.
- Completion of the following four independent study courses within 120 days of hire: Introduction to Incident Command System for Health Care/Hospitals (ICS-100); ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS-200); National Incident Management Systems, An Introduction (IS-700); and National Response Frameworks, An Introduction (IS-800).
Other skills/knowledge:
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Solid computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft software. Strong analytical and problem solving skills, with the ability to be detail oriented. Proactive approach to relationship management, and ability to communicate complex issues to employees.
- This includes internships, extracurricular activities, and community volunteerism.
- Ability to work well under pressure and to manage multiple projects at once.
- Must be flexible and adaptable to unexpected changes. Analytical skills necessary in order to determine what type and amount of information can be released to media.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Experience: N/A
OSF HealthCare is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
See All 12 Public Relations Manager Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Public Relations Manager JobsPublic Relations Manager Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Public Relations Manager Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Sports & Recreation
- Technology & Software
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in public relations manager jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in public relations, communications, journalism, or a related field required
- Five or more years of progressive public relations or corporate communications experience
- Demonstrated experience managing media relations and drafting press materials independently
- Proficiency with PR measurement platforms such as Cision, Meltwater, or comparable tools
- Experience leading cross-functional teams or managing junior communications staff
- PRSA accreditation (APR credential) preferred by many Illinois corporate and nonprofit employers
Public Relations Manager Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a public relations manager in Illinois?
Illinois does not require a state-issued license to work as a public relations manager. The standard path starts with a bachelor's degree in public relations, communications, or journalism, followed by several years in coordinator or specialist roles at Illinois agencies, corporations, or nonprofits. Many hiring managers in Chicago's competitive market look for the PRSA Accredited in Public Relations credential as a differentiator, along with a portfolio showing media placements and campaign results.
How much do public relations managers make in Illinois?
Public relations managers in Illinois earn a median of about $131,990 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $75,730 for the lowest 10% to over $221,440 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire public relations managers in Illinois?
Employers hiring public relations managers in Illinois right now include Highwire, Ecm Enterprises, and Abbott, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Illinois's large concentration of Fortune 500 headquarters in Chicago and the broader collar counties means corporate communications roles appear consistently across financial services, insurance, transportation, and consumer goods sectors.
Which Illinois cities have the most public relations manager jobs?
The Illinois cities with the most public relations manager openings are Chicago, Urbana, and Decatur. Chicago drives the bulk of listings given its density of corporate headquarters, major healthcare systems, universities, and public affairs firms, while Naperville and Springfield draw on suburban corporate campuses and state government communications offices respectively.
Are there remote public relations manager jobs in Illinois?
Yes, and more than many comparable management roles, since most public relations manager work centers on writing, strategy, and digital media coordination rather than physical presence. About 63% of public relations manager openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting how widely Illinois employers have adopted flexible arrangements. Media relations and content strategy functions tend to be the most remote-eligible, while crisis communications and executive visibility roles more often require on-site availability.
How can I get hired as a public relations manager in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing a communications coordinator or PR specialist role at a Chicago-area agency, nonprofit, or corporate communications team, then building toward management over several years. Major Illinois employers like Advocate Health, Exelon, and large state associations run entry-level communications programs that feed into manager tracks. Lateral moves from journalism, marketing, or internal communications roles are common. Completing the PRSA's professional development certificate and assembling a portfolio of published media placements or campaign results gives early-career candidates a concrete edge.
Where can I find and apply to public relations manager jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to public relations manager jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across Chicago, the collar counties, and downstate markets. Find roles that fit your experience and apply directly to each one.
See All 12 Public Relations Manager Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Public Relations Manager Jobs