Public Relations

PR Team Leadership

Leading a PR team requires strategic thinking, people leadership and strong relationships with executives. This course covers PR leadership roles, building and structuring teams, setting priorities, managing workload and pressure, developing team skills, advising executives, budgets and demonstrating value.

5 days Classroom or live online English

Smart Horizon Certified - Global Leadership Consultants

Take the course details with you.

Download the full standard outline: why attend, methodology, objectives, audience, competencies, the daily outline and current plans.

Download course PDF

Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

PR leaders must balance daily demands with strategy. You will learn to lead a high-performing communication team.

Workplace challenges

Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve

The programme explores practical approaches to the following challenges. Results depend on how the learning is applied in your organisation.

Difficulty translating subject knowledge into practical workplace decisions.
Inconsistent approaches to the activities covered in the course outline.
Lack of a structured plan for applying and reviewing new skills.

Course methodology

How you will learn.

Leadership self-assessment, team design workshops, executive advisory role plays and case studies.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Define the role of the PR leader
Structure and build communication teams
Set priorities and manage workload
Develop team skills and careers
Advise executives with confidence
Manage budgets and demonstrate value

Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

PR and communication managers
Heads of communication
Senior PR professionals
Agency team leaders
Corporate affairs managers

Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

Team leadership
Prioritisation
People development
Executive advisory
Value demonstration

Course outline

Your learning journey.

A focused, practical outline with time to explore, apply and reflect.

Day 1PR Leadership

09:00–10:08Leadership role
10:08–11:00Self-assessment
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Self-assessment (continued)
11:45–12:53Case studies
12:53–14:00Exercise

Day 2Team Structure

09:00–10:08Team models
10:08–11:00Roles
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Roles (continued)
11:45–12:53Recruitment
12:53–14:00Workshop

Day 3Priorities and Pressure

09:00–10:08Prioritisation
10:08–11:00Workload
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Workload (continued)
11:45–12:53Wellbeing
12:53–14:00Exercise

Day 4Developing People

09:00–10:08Skills frameworks
10:08–11:00Coaching
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Coaching (continued)
11:45–12:53Careers
12:53–14:00Role play

Day 5Executives and Value

09:00–10:08Advising executives
10:08–11:00Budgets
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Budgets (continued)
11:45–12:53Demonstrating value
12:53–14:00Action plan

The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.

Dates & venues

Find a session that works for you.

Confirmed dates accept registration requests. Tentative dates are enquiry only.

Good to know

A few things to know.

How is the course delivered?

Our classroom programmes combine facilitated discussion, case studies, exercises and reflection. The precise format will be confirmed before enrolment.

Can you deliver this programme for our team?

Yes, you can enquire about a tailored programme. Share your goals, group size and preferred dates with our learning team.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who complete the programme receive a Smart Horizon UK certificate of attendance. Smart Horizon UK programmes are not externally accredited and do not award a professional qualification, licence or designation. Where a course title or outline refers to a professional certification (for example, AACE International's Certified Cost Professional), the programme supports learning and preparation only; the credential itself is awarded solely by the relevant professional body under its own application and examination requirements.

What should I confirm before booking travel?

Please confirm the session, exact venue, accessibility arrangements, fees and any visa requirements with the team before arranging travel. Tentative dates are not confirmed sessions.

Keep exploring

Your next horizon awaits.

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The full course agenda and dates are available above. Use the session links in Dates & venues to choose a session. Registration and quotation forms require JavaScript; you can also contact our learning team directly.