Public Relations Jobs in the United Kingdom

Overview of PR jobs in the United Kingdom

The UK public relations sector covers a wide range of roles including PR assistant, account executive, media relations specialist, corporate communications manager and PR director. Employers span industries such as tech, finance, healthcare, non-profit and government, so PR professionals can choose environments that match their interests. Recent trends include increased demand for digital PR skills, integrated communications (combining PR, marketing and social media) and reputation management as companies navigate fast-moving news cycles and social media scrutiny. Sustainability and ESG communications are also creating new specialist PR positions across the country.

Where to find PR jobs: agencies, in-house teams and London opportunities

PR jobs are commonly advertised by specialist PR agencies, corporate communications departments and recruitment sites. Top places to search include LinkedIn, Indeed, PR Week Jobs, CIPR (Chartered Institute of Public Relations) listings and agency career pages. London remains the largest hub for PR in the UK — it hosts national media, major agencies and multinational headquarters, making it ideal for media-facing roles and fast-paced agency work. Outside London, regional centres such as Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Belfast offer strong in-house and sector-specific PR opportunities, often with better work-life balance and competitive salaries. Networking at industry events, joining PR associations and engaging with journalists via social media can uncover unadvertised vacancies.

Skills, salaries and career progression for PR professionals

Key skills employers look for in PR candidates include strong written and verbal communication, media relations, strategic thinking, crisis communications, digital and social media expertise, and measurement/analytics. Entry-level salaries typically start lower, with PR assistants and junior account executives earning modest pay, while experienced in-house communications managers and agency senior account directors command higher salaries — remuneration varies by location, sector and agency size. To progress, build a portfolio of successful campaigns, develop sector expertise, gain media contacts and consider professional qualifications such as CIPR accreditation. Freelance consultancy and specialisms like health PR or tech PR can also boost earnings and career flexibility.