External Communications Lead - Americas

New York City, NY (Hybrid)

$200K/yr – $240K/yrSenior Level8+ years expFull time

Posted 1 day ago

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Job Summary

Own the Americas external communications agenda by leading proactive PR, shaping media strategy, and guarding the firm’s reputation, while partnering with Marketing, BD and partner leadership to align messaging and risk management.

  • Own external communications plans that raise visibility for AmLaw 100 practices and leadership.
  • Coach partners for media readiness and coordinate with reporters and agencies.

Job Description

Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute proactive public relations strategies that elevate the region's leadership, subject matter expertise and growth priorities.
  • Drive earned media focused on practice area successes, lateral partner and lawyer growth, milestones and thought leadership across priority sectors and themes.
  • Translate complex legal and regulatory themes into clear, compelling narratives for business, legal and vertical industry media.
  • Develop and maintain strong relationships with top-tier national, legal and vertical trade reporters, as well as international contacts where appropriate.
  • Prepare partners and senior leaders with messaging, briefing materials and media prep/training.
  • Identify media trends and white-space opportunities that reinforce Clifford Chance's business priorities, position and reputation in the Americas legal industry.
  • Collaborate closely with social, digital and content colleagues to ensure earned media is amplified through social, owned and paid channels.
  • Partner with business development and marketing teams to align messaging, timing and narrative consistency.
  • Proactively identify, assess, and communicate potential areas of risk to protect the reputation of the firm.
  • Provide issues and crisis communications support as needed, in coordination with Head of BC&PA, Americas.

Requirements

  • 8+ year's experience in B2B public relations, with at least four years' experience working in or on behalf of AmLaw 100 law firms.
  • Strong media relations judgment, with the ability to identify, shape and execute opportunities that support business priorities, build reputation and strengthen market visibility.
  • Proven ability to develop and execute external communications strategies for AmLaw 100 law firms, including partner visibility, practice/sector positioning, lateral partner announcements, deal/matter promotion and issues management.
  • Strong understanding of the US legal media landscape, including relationships with reporters and editors covering Big Law, disputes, transactions, regulatory issues, lateral hiring, firm strategy and the business of law.
  • Exceptional writing and editing skills, with the ability to produce high-quality press releases, media pitches, statements, talking points, Q&A documents, briefing materials and partner messaging with precision and sound judgment.
  • Excellent news judgment, including the ability to distinguish between activity that is genuinely newsworthy and activity that may be better suited for other channels.
  • Strategic advisory skills, with the confidence to counsel partners and senior stakeholders on media opportunities, reputational considerations, message discipline and realistic outcomes.
  • Ability to connect external communications activity to firm priorities, including growth in the US market, priority practices, sectors, geographies and client-relevant themes.
  • High level of attention to detail, with a strong commitment to accuracy, consistency, proofreading and quality control.
  • Collaborative working style, with the ability to contribute positively to a small team while also raising standards, improving processes and driving stronger results.
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Clifford Chance

4.0 Glassdoor

We are a global law firm dedicated to creating advantage for our clients. Combining legal and commercial intelligence, we collaborate with our clients as one global team to grow, transform, protect and defend their business. Operating as a single, fully-integrated global partnership we provide forward-thinking insights and tech-enabled solutions in the sectors and markets that matter most to our clients. Our culture of collaboration and commitment to rigorous and ethical standards, ensures consistent, high-quality service worldwide.

Founded in 1987
London, England, GBR
8.4K employees
80% recommend to a friend
88% CEO approval

Traffic Signals

Monthly Visitors
302.1K
Traffic Source Mix
Search
62.3%
Direct
29.6%
Referral
6.5%
Social
0.9%
Paid
0.6%

Headcount Trend

Current headcount: ~8.4K

Marketing Team

Median Tenure
3.9 years
Marketing Roles Posted (Last 30 Days)
2

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