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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Overview

Open roles17
Top employerHighwire
Top cityChicago, IL
Cities hiring10
Work type56% Hybrid
Top industrySports

Showing 5 of 17+ Public Relations Manager jobs

Public Relations Associate
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Added 3d ago
Public Relations Associate
Mintel
Chicago, Illinois
Business Analysis
Compensation & Benefits
Human Resources
Human Resources (HR) — Generalist
$41k - $51k/yr
Hybrid

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Public Relations Intern
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Added 5d ago
Public Relations Intern
Walker Sands
Chicago, Illinois
Content Marketing
Growth Marketing
Marketing
Hybrid

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Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator
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Added 1w ago
Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator
Lyric Opera of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
Administrative & Office Support
Customer Service
Project Management
$46k - $52k/yr
Bachelor's degree in communications
51-200

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Director/Assistant Director of Marketing, Communications, and Public Relations
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Added 3w ago
Director/Assistant Director of Marketing, Communications, and Public Relations
West Chicago Elementary School District #33
West Chicago, Illinois
Content & Communications
Creative & Design
Marketing
$115k - $145k/yr

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Account Director, Public Relations (Cybersecurity)
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Added 1mo ago
Account Director, Public Relations (Cybersecurity)
Highwire
Chicago, Illinois
Account Management
Business Development
Sales
$110k - $135k/yr
Hybrid

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See All 17 Public Relations Manager Jobs in Illinois

Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Public Relations Manager Jobs by City in Illinois

Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Chicago
8 jobs
Skokie
1 job
Urbana
1 job
Decatur
1 job
Evanston
1 job
Champaign
1 job
Barrington
1 job
Lake Forest
1 job
Carol Stream
1 job

Public Relations Manager Job Market in Illinois

A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Highwire2 open roles
Ecm Enterprises2 open roles
Abbott1 open role

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.

See All 17 Public Relations Manager Jobs in Illinois

Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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