Career Trends: Public Relations and Fundraising Managers

Public relations managers plan and direct the creation of material that will maintain or enhance the public image of their employer or client. Fundraising managers coordinate campaigns that bring in donations for their organization.

Public relations and fundraising managers generally work in offices during regular business hours. However, many must travel to give speeches and meet with individuals who are important to their organization. Many work more than 40 hours per week.

Public relations and fundraising managers need at least a bachelor’s degree, and some positions may require a master’s degree. Many years of related work experience are also necessary.

Employment of public relations and fundraising managers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2014 to 2024, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Employment of public relations managers will be driven by the need for organizations to maintain their public image, especially with the growth of social media. The need to raise funds for nonprofit organizations will require more fundraising managers.

This occupation supported 62,100 jobs in 2012 and 65,800 jobs in 2014, reflecting an increase of 6.0%. In 2012, this occupation was projected to increase by 12.9% in 2022 to 70,100 jobs. As of 2014, to keep pace with prediction, the expected number of jobs was 63,700, compared with an observed value of 65,800, 3.3% higher than expected. This indicates current employment trends are better than the 2012 trend within this occupation. In 2014, this occupation was projected to increase by 7.6% in 2024 to 70,500 jobs. Linear extrapolation of the 2012 projection for 2022 results in an expected number of 71,600 jobs for 2024, 1.6% higher than the 2014 projection for 2024. This indicates expectations for future employment trends are about on track with the 2012 trend within this occupation.