Public Relations

Recruiting public relations leaders who build reputation, strengthen media relationships and navigate high-pressure communications challenges

Public Relations Executive Search & Recruitment

Public relations teams help organisations build reputation, manage media relationships and communicate effectively during periods of opportunity and challenge.

We help organisations hire public relations leaders across the UK, US and international markets, from Heads of PR and Media Relations Directors to PR Managers, Corporate Reputation specialists and Crisis Communications professionals.

Our clients include listed companies, private equity-backed businesses, professional services firms and high-growth organisations seeking to strengthen reputation, improve media engagement and manage complex stakeholder environments.

Typical Public Relations Searches

Recent mandates have included:

  • Head of Public Relations

  • Global Head of PR

  • Media Relations Director

  • Public Relations Director

  • Head of Media Relations

  • Public Relations Manager

  • Senior PR Manager

  • Corporate Reputation Lead

  • Crisis Communications Director

  • Interim PR Director

Retained Executive Search >

For Heads of PR, Public Relations Directors, Media Relations Directors and senior leadership appointments.

Exclusive Permanent Placements >

For PR Managers, Media Relations specialists, Corporate Reputation professionals and communications specialists.

Contract & Interim >

For crisis communications, corporate reputation management, major media campaigns and interim press office leadership.

Image 1948432

The New ROI of PR

With a shift towards a 'Zero-Click' world, the value of PR is moving. While media relations and reputation management remain the core, their primary output — Earned Media — is now the number one driver of visibility in Generative Search (GEO).

Recent 2026 research by Stacker indicates that earned placements provide a 239% lift in AI search visibility, with journalistic sources accounting for 49% of all time-sensitive citations.

At Comms Search & Selection, we don't just find 'media getters.' We find PR leaders who understand how to build the citation layer that ensures your brand is the answer when a buyer asks ChatGPT: 'Who is the leader in this space?'

Why work with us?

  • Shield with tick icon

    Vetting for Media Influence & Crisis Resilience

    We do not rely on standard recruitment methods. Because our team intimately understands the pressure of the newsroom and the boardroom, we vet candidates for the strength of their media 'black book,' their strategic agility, and their ability to remain calm and decisive under fire.

  • Tick icon

    Strategic Advisors, Not Just Recruiters

    We go beyond transactional job placements to act as true talent partners. Because we map the global PR landscape daily, we provide real-time intelligence on optimal press office structuring, the balance of in-house vs. agency talent, and compensation benchmarking across the UK and US.

  • Lightbulb icon

    Accessing "Off-Market" Public Relations Talent

    The most effective PR Directors and Heads of Media Relations are rarely scrolling active job boards — they are busy managing the narrative for your competitors. We bypass the reactive market to tap into our tightly curated, passive network of elite public relations talent.

  • Target icon

    Unrestricted Access: No "Off-Limits" Conflicts

    Global search giants are heavily restricted from headhunting top talent due to massive client conflict lists. As an independent boutique, we have the freedom and agility to extract the exact proactive PR and media relations leaders you need directly from your closest competitors.

Our consultants

Max Forsyth
Max Forsyth

Managing Director, Founder and Head of Executive Search

Nandita Samant