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.
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We are looking for a creative, organized, and driven individual with strong writing skills to join the global marketing team as a PR Associate and help drive awareness of the Mintel brand among leading press across the US, Canada, and Latin America.
As a PR Associate, you will help implement Mintel's media relations, social media, and content marketing strategies across the US, Canada, and Latin America. You will lend your creativity and expertise to drive global PR, communications, and marketing initiatives forward.
In addition to possessing the media relations skills of relationship building, social media proficiency, research, and creativity, the ideal candidate will have experience working in the CPG industry and/or in an agency setting. Additionally, the PR Associate will be someone with exceptional verbal and written communication skills, who is comfortable and confident working alone and with a team, and who enjoys a flexible, (somewhat) fast-paced, fun, and very engaging work environment.
Ideally you will have 1+ year of full-time work experience in Public Relations or a related role in Communications, be collaborative and efficient working with a hybrid team, and be able to work from the Mintel Chicago office a minimum of three days per week. You will report directly to the Public Relations Manager, Americas.
This is a Hybrid position based in Chicago.
What you will be doing:
- Raising brand awareness: Grow Mintel's brand awareness and media profile, and that of Mintel's thought leaders, across the US, Canada, and Latin America, including assisting with speaking engagements and Mintel's Little Conversation podcast.
- Growing relationships: Manage, maintain, and grow relationships with media through proactive and reactive communication; identify key publications/journalists for relationship building to drive media coverage; maintain an up-to-date and organized media database (leveraging various PR software/services).
- Running the Press Office: As journalists' first point of contact, respond to and coordinate incoming media requests across the wider PR team.
- Storytelling through timely content: Proactively identify pitch topics based on data and insights to generate media coverage; develop creative opportunities to promote the business, its products, and its data through PR campaigns.
- Creating elevated brand messaging and positioning: Write communications that effectively position Mintel's products and services, including press releases, pitches, and blog content, utilizing Mintel's wealth of content.
- Coaching thought leaders: Support Mintel analysts on effective media interactions through one-on-one coaching, group development sessions, and external expert-led training seminars.
- Collaborating across departments: Work closely with global PR team members to ensure consistency of messaging. Assist in maintaining relationships with Mintel Marketing, Research, Commercial, Product, and Senior Leadership teams.
- Creating opportunities to celebrate: Regularly monitor KPIs and goals and report back on the success of PR activities, with a focus on building awareness and generating ROI.
Who We Are Looking For:
- Self-Directed: You take initiative to solve problems and uncover opportunities. You have a self-sufficient work ethic; entrepreneurial in spirit and are naturally self-motivated. You welcome the ability to work in a fast paced environment and work autonomously to manage and prioritize multiple projects at once
- Great Communicator: You have extremely polished verbal and written communication skills, and can adapt your communication style to internal and external partners. You speak clearly, concisely, and present yourself with confidence
- A Collaborator: You bring an energy to the table that encourages and develops internal relationships. You seek out opportunities to collaborate with peers in your department and across the organization to ultimately elevate our clients' experience
- A Skilled Writer: You are able to observe brand and consumer activity across a wide range of categories to create compelling stories of how consumer trends are evolving and create content that excites and inspires audiences with the latest trend thinking
- Tech-Savvy: You have experience with Google Workspace apps, Microsoft Office Suite, and a firm grasp of available social media management tools and platforms (eg SproutSocial, Cision, PR Newswire, Muckrack)
Equal Opportunity Employer: Race/Color/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Vets
The below reflects the range of base salary for this role at the time of this posting. An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, skills, experience, and qualifications. The salary range for this role is: $41,000 USD to $51,000 USD.
Alongside salary, Mintel offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical/dental/vision insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, employer paid life and disability insurance, 401(k) with employer match and paid time off. We are invested in our employees' wellbeing which is why we also offer flexible working hours, ClassPass subsidy, mental health benefit through Modern Health, paid volunteer time off, paid birthday leave and paid parental leave.
#LI-BF1
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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 November 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, Skokie, and Urbana. 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 78% of public relations manager openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 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.
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