A public relations specialist manages how your brand is perceived in the media - securing press coverage, building journalist relationships, and crafting the narratives that shape your public image.
A great Public Relations Specialist does not just complete tasks. They own a function that directly frees you to grow. Here is what that looks like in a scaling business:
01Develop and execute the PR strategy and media outreach plan
02Build and maintain relationships with journalists and media contacts
03Write press releases, pitches, and media materials
04Coordinate executive interviews, podcast appearances, and speaking opportunities
05Monitor media coverage and report on PR performance
How this hire moves your business forward: PR builds the credibility and visibility that paid advertising cannot buy. A consistent media presence establishes your brand as a category authority and generates trust at scale.
Why LatAm
Why LatAm Produces Great Public Relations Specialists.
LatAm PR professionals with US media experience are available in major markets. Many have worked at PR agencies serving US clients or in-house at US-facing companies. Strong English writing and media relationship skills are standard.
The timezone overlap with the US is strong. LatAm professionals work within 1 to 3 hours of US Eastern time, so there is no async lag, no late-night handoffs, and no communication gap.
Skills & tools
Know What a Great Public Relations Specialist Actually Brings to the Table.
Beyond the resume, here are the skills, tools, and traits that separate strong performers from strong interviewers.
Hard Skills
Media relations
Press release writing
Pitch development
Executive visibility management
Media monitoring
Common Tools
Cision / Muck Rack
Google Workspace
Slack
Twitter / X
Media databases
Soft Skills & Traits
Confident relationship builder with journalists
Compelling writer
Strategic about narrative development
Persistent without being annoying
Proactive pitch generator
Compensation
What You Can Expect to Pay.
Based on Sur market data and regional benchmarks. Figures reflect total cash compensation.
Seniority
US Annual
LatAm Annual
You Save
Entry
$48,000
$19,200
$28,800 / yr
Mid level
$65,000
$28,800
$36,200 / yr
Senior
$85,000
$38,400
$46,600 / yr
Spot the right hire
What to Look For, and What to Watch Out For.
Green Flags
Has placed stories in US media outlets and can show examples
Has a genuine relationship with journalists - not just a media list
Writes pitches that get responses because they are genuinely newsworthy
Proactively identifies PR opportunities in current events and company milestones
Red Flags
Has only worked in local LatAm media with no US experience
Sends mass pitches to media lists without personalization
Cannot explain what makes a story newsworthy to a US journalist
Our process
Our Process for This Role.
We do not post and wait. Every Public Relations Specialist search we run is built from scratch around your business, your stage, your team, and your goals. And at every step, we are thinking about how this hire helps you grow.
1
Onboarding Call
We start by understanding what you actually need.
2
Role Scoping and Assessment Design
We build a precise role profile and design the custom skills assessment before we search for anyone.
3
Sourcing
We source actively across LatAm and the Caribbean and through our network.
4
Prescreening and Phone Screen
Every candidate is internally screened then put through an English phone screen.
5
Your Shortlist
3 to 5 candidates delivered early in the process with background, audio clip, and our team's recommendation.
6
Skills Assessment
Shortlisted candidates take a custom assessment built to replicate the actual work of the role.
7
Hire and Guarantee
We support the offer, help structure compensation for retention, and back every placement with a 90-day guarantee.
Common Questions About Hiring a Public Relations Specialist.
3-4 weeks typically. Most placements are made within 21 days of the onboarding call.
Most LatAm professionals work within 1 to 3 hours of US Eastern time.
All Sur placements speak fluent English. We screen for language ability on every search. High business English required (stakeholder-facing).
A LatAm PR specialist with US media experience brings the same relationship management and writing quality as a US hire at significantly lower cost. The key is ensuring they have existing US media relationships or a clear plan to build them.
If your hire does not work out within the first 90 days for any reason, we replace them at no additional cost.
An in-house specialist is more cost-effective for ongoing media relations. A PR agency adds value for major launches or when you need a pre-existing media network quickly.
3-6 months to establish relationships and see consistent placement activity. PR is a long-game strategy.
Ready to Hire a Public Relations Specialist Who Actually Moves the Needle?
Let us design the role together and find you the right person from LatAm.