Public Relations Specialist (Contract)

milk + honey is an award-winning collection of luxury spas, salons, and medSPAs dedicated to helping people relax, feel good, and prioritize self-care. Known for exceptional service, elevated experiences, and thoughtfully curated treatments, we have built a loyal following in Austin, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and Fort Worth—and continue to grow our presence as a leader in wellness and beauty.

We are seeking a part-time Public Relations Specialist (contract role) based in Chicago to help shape and elevate our presence. This independent contractor role offers a $3,000 monthly retainer and requires approximately 40 hours of work per month. While the position offers flexibility and remote work, regular in-market presence is essential to build relationships, attend events, and stay connected to the pulse of the Chicago media landscape. As milk + honey continues to grow its presence in Chicago, we're looking for a PR professional who can build meaningful local awareness while helping elevate the brand.

You are our person in Chicago. You know who covers wellness, beauty, design, and lifestyle in this city—they take your calls. You hold the national pitching calendar, you shape the milk + honey narrative as it appears in the press throughout Chicago and help support on a national level at times. You translate what is happening at our Gold Coast location: new services, seasonal moments, and community partnerships into placements that drive both prestige and credibility.

what you will do

• Own and maintain the Chicago media list: lifestyle, beauty, wellness, and design press, plus broadcast and key newsletters.
• Pitch 10–15 tailored stories per month tied to seasonal moments, new offerings, and locally relevant trend angles.
• Pursue one to two larger Chicago feature placements per quarter 
• Coordinate editor and creator visits to Gold Coast - concierge experience, scripted touchpoints, follow-through.
• Deliver a monthly brand-PR scorecard to leadership: national placements, share of voice, market contributions, awards progress, narrative health.
• Deliver a monthly clip and impact report (placements, reach, sentiment, referral signals).
• Support the national media list and pitching calendar in partnership with the Chicago PR Contractor and Senior Manager of Brand Partnerships
• Maintain the local awards calendar (best-of lists, design awards, hospitality and spa industry recognition) and submit accordingly.

• Five-plus years in PR with a meaningful share of that time spent on lifestyle, beauty, hospitality, or wellness accounts in the Chicago market.
• An active Chicago media rolodex and recent placements you have personally driven in the last 12 months.
• Comfort representing a multi-location, design-forward luxury brand with discretion and warmth.
• Strong written voice that matches our brand: calm, considered, never hyped.
• Self-directed. You can run the Chicago program with light supervision while staying tightly coordinated with the HQ lead.