What are the responsibilities and job description for the Public Relations Specialist position at Mainland?
PR Specialist
Starting Salary: $52,000 Multiple bonus incentives (Current Annual Opportunity to earn at more than $25,000 additional)
Location: Chicago, IL — in office
At Hello Mainland, PR Specialists are expected to create wins. This is not a passive role for someone who wants to hide behind email. It is a performance-driven position for someone who can find the story, pitch with urgency, handle rejection, and keep pushing until clients earn real media results.
This role is for someone competitive, outgoing, adaptable, and hungry to improve. You will spend a large portion of your day engaging reporters, editors, producers, and assignment desks by phone and email, developing angles, creating momentum, and turning outreach into interviews and meaningful placements.
If you want a quiet job, this is not it. If you hate rejection, this is not it. If you want a role where effort matters, performance is visible, and wins are earned, this may be a strong fit.
What You’ll Do
- Pitch local, regional, trade, and national media on behalf of Hello Mainland clients
- Secure interviews and media opportunities that lead to meaningful placements
- Build and maintain relationships with reporters, editors, producers, and assignment desks
- Develop creative story angles, hooks, and timely opportunities that align with client goals and media demand
- Conduct interviews with franchisees, founders, executives, and client stakeholders to uncover strong stories
- Support development of media lists, pitch strategy, and outreach plans
- Write press releases, profiles, articles, and other written content as assigned
- Work closely with account managers and team leads to support broader client strategy
- Track outreach, follow-up, and results across assigned accounts
- Continuously improve pitching instincts, writing quality, and ability to create momentum for clients
What Success Looks Like
This is a goal-driven role tied to output and results.
A strong PR Specialist at Mainland:
- pitches consistently and with urgency
- is fearless on the phone
- handles rejection without losing momentum
- adjusts angles when outreach is not landing
- creates steady interview flow for clients
- contributes to a real drumbeat of visibility and credibility
- shows effort, resilience, and follow-through every day
The people who do best here are the ones who bring grit, energy, and a drive to beat expectations.
What We’re Looking For
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Confidence engaging media by both email and phone
- Competitive mindset and willingness to be measured on results
- Ability to take feedback, adapt quickly, and keep moving
- Strong organization and follow-up habits
- Curiosity around what makes something a story
- Ability to manage multiple clients and priorities at once
- Positive attitude, strong effort, and hunger to learn
Preferred Experience
- 1–3 years of experience in public relations, media relations, communications, journalism, sales, or a related field
- Experience writing press releases, articles, blogs, or other professional content
- Understanding of what is and is not a story
- Experience creating pitches, developing angles, and securing media opportunities
- Existing media relationships or a track record of placements is a plus
- Bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, journalism, marketing, or a related field is a plus
In-Office Requirement
This role is based in Chicago and is an in-office position. Regular in-office presence is required. This is not a hybrid role.
Why This Role Matters
At Mainland, PR is not about sending emails and hoping something lands. It is about finding the real story, pitching with purpose, and creating tangible wins that move a client forward.
This role matters because it helps turn strategy into visibility. The right person will help clients earn attention, credibility, and momentum in the market.
About Hello Mainland
Hello Mainland is a growth agency built to help brands grow through content, public relations, digital strategy, and franchise development marketing. We are a fast-moving team that values accountability, strong communication, and people who give a shit about doing great work.
Salary : $52,000