Associate Director, Public Relations

Chicago, IL (Hybrid)

Salary Not AvailableSenior Level8+ years expFull time

Posted 7 weeks ago

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Job Summary

Media relations and crisis communications drive the top line for a large professional services firm, with ownership of crisis counsel, media outreach, and reporting that ties to firm strategy.

  • Own day-to-day media relations, press inquiries, and awards submissions across a multi-office firm.
  • Align external PR with firm strategy, practice goals, and cross-channel messaging across releases, social, and the firm site.

Job Description

Responsibilities

  • Work collaboratively with the firm’s chair & managing partner, executive committee, and chief marketing & business development officer on PR strategies and provides advice and counsel in crisis communications situations.
  • Align PR strategy with overarching firm strategy, department strategies, and broader external campaigns.
  • Collaborate with communications team to develop the firm's message platform for external stakeholders and integrate those messages across news releases, social media channels, the firm’s Web site and other external communications vehicles.
  • Work closely with the department chairs, practice group leaders, practice development team, and business development team to plan and execute practice department and/or office external communications, including thought leadership initiatives.
  • Work closely with communications team to ensure alignment in internal messaging.
  • Collaborate with AI and Innovation leadership, Pro Bono & Philanthropy partners; the Office of Inclusion and Diversity, and SeyfarthLife teams regarding their public relations strategies.
  • Oversee media relations including the day-to-day media outreach (press releases, bylined articles, social media), responses to media inquiries, media award submissions, and monitor media coverage.
  • Build and strengthen relationships with reporters, editors, and industry leaders.
  • Provide media training and prepare attorneys and professionals for interviews, including drafting Q&As, backgrounders, and other preparatory materials.
  • Track and report on media coverage, and provide continuous improvement analysis.
  • Manage and lead internal public relations staff and oversee any outside public relations agencies the firm may engage.

Requirements

  • Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent Experience.
  • At least 8 years of relevant public relations experience, including experience in law firm or another professional services environment, with demonstrated increasing levels of responsibility.
  • Superior verbal, writing and editing skills with an ability to inspire confidence.
  • A highly professional demeanor, a high level of dedication and the ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
  • The ability to thrive in an intense, client-service environment; possess the ability to juggle multiple priorities; demonstrate strong project management skills; be able to develop and adhere to a lean budget; and lead teams of partners, peers and subordinates.
  • A high degree of integrity, including maintaining confidentiality.
  • Availability to travel to our U.S. offices on a regular basis (15%).

Preferred

  • There are no items listed.

Benefits

  • Seyfarth provides competitive salary and benefits at all levels, and our culture embraces the entrepreneurial spirit of its professionals like no other firm.
  • Our professional staff are a collaborative team, helping to define the unique client experience offered by the firm.
  • We understand that it takes more than attorneys to build a successful legal practice; everyone participates in our commitment to excellence .
Seyfarth Shaw LLP logo

Seyfarth Shaw LLP

High stakes. High volume. High impact. Our high-caliber legal representation and advanced delivery capabilities allow us to take on our clients’ unique challenges and opportunities―no matter the scale or complexity. Whether navigating complex litigation, negotiating transformational deals, or advising on cross-border projects, our attorneys achieve exceptional legal outcomes. Our drive for excellence leads us to seek out better ways to work with our clients and each other. We have been first-to-market on many legal service delivery innovations―and we continue to break new ground with our clients every day. This long history of excellence and innovation has created a culture with a sense of purpose and belonging for all. In turn, our culture drives our commitment to the growth of our clients, the diversity of our people, and the resilience of our workforce.*Our London office operates as Seyfarth Shaw (UK) LLP, an affiliate of Seyfarth Shaw LLP. Our Australian practice operates as Seyfarth Shaw Australia, an Australian multidisciplinary partnership affiliated with Seyfarth Shaw LLP. For more information please visit www.seyfarth.com.

Founded in 1945
Chicago, Illinois, USA
2.3K employees

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