Education

• Most press office managers begin their careers as public relation specialists and work their way up to a managerial role. According to Morehead State University, those seeking a career in public relations must be prepared to start at the bottom before being given more responsibility. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report that employers generally look for those with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications or public relations. Internships in public relations also offer an excellent opportunity to experience the industry first hand and make valuable contacts when trying to secure work.
  
  

Skills

• A press office manager must have excellent organizational skills and good leadership qualities. The role involves multi-tasking, having strong communication skills both oral and written and the ability to build strong working relations. A press office manager spends much of the day speaking to external clients such as members of the media so she must have a professional manner. Having creativity, confidence and problem-solving skills are all beneficial to the role, according to Morehead State University.
  
  

Responsibilities

• Responsibilities of a press office manager vary depending on the size of the company or organization. The role is varied and includes arranging press conferences, briefing members of the PR team, writing press releases and issuing company statements to members of the press. The press office manager will hold team-briefing sessions and create PR programs outlining goals and objectives for future PR campaigns.
  
  

Salary

• The salary of a press office manager varies depending on experience, location and organization. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for a public relations manager in May 2010 was $89,690. The bottom 10 percent in the industry earned $47,800 while the highest earners made $125,220.
  
  

Considerations

• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average press office worker can expect to put in up to 40 hours per week. Public relation workers are usually employed in major cities, such as New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.