External Communications Manager, EMEA and UK at Kennedys | Manchester, UK

Kennedys

External Communications Manager, EMEA and UK

Manchester, UK (On-site)

Salary Not AvailableSenior LevelFull time

Posted 2 months ago

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Job Summary

Own the external communications agenda for a global law firm, shaping media strategy, crisis response, and stakeholder storytelling across EMEA/UK to protect and grow reputation.

Lead media relations and proactive press scheduling across regions.
Coordinate with leadership and BD teams to surface news, awards, and thought leadership opportunities.
Partner with an external agency and internal teams to measure coverage and refine messaging.

Job Description

Responsibilities

Global external communications strategy aligned with business development, with primary delivery for EMEA/UK.
Content development and media sharing of corporate news (lateral hires, Partner promotions, and related items).
Coordinate with leadership, fee earners, and Business Services to manage external communications needs (proactive and reactive).
Act as media consultant to stakeholders; guidance on media, respond to inquiries, and manage media opportunities.
Reputational management and crisis communications with processes and communications requirements managed effectively.
Develop and nurture media relationships across multiple sectors and outlets.
Assist with the Firm’s awards submission programme and submissions to key legal/industry surveys.
Manage the media contact/reporting database; track, monitor, and measure coverage; provide updates to stakeholders; stay ahead of competitors and industry activity.

Requirements

Demonstrable experience in PR/external communications/corporate communications in a business development role within a law firm or professional services environment — core requirement; PR agency experience highly sought after.
Thorough experience dealing with the media with demonstrable media relationships; insurance and legal sector exposure advantageous.
Ability to handle multiple time-sensitive initiatives with a sense of urgency for deadlines.
Strong responsiveness; service- and results-oriented approach.
Excellent business writing with a clear editorial standard and genuine interest in news, content, and storytelling; ability to identify commercial content opportunities.
Effective communicator and relationship builder; comfortable engaging senior lawyers/partners and influencing senior leaders.
Experience working with and coordinating an external PR agency to support an in-house team.
Experience using digital and social media channels to support ongoing BD efforts (marketing, sponsorship, thought leadership).
Interest in using other channels (video, podcasts) for external communication messages.
Ability to work collaboratively within an integrated BD team and across virtual teams in multiple offices.
Line management or coordination experience.
Proficiency in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint; CRM tools or project tracking familiarity desirable.

Nice to Have

Benefits

How to Apply

Please let us know if you require any additional support or adjustments to be made in order to submit your application to Kennedys.

About Kennedys

Kennedys is looking for an ambitious and proactive External Communications Manager to join our Business Development team. The successful Communications Manager will be part of the Marketing and Communications team, under the direction of the Senior Communications Manager.
Supporting all areas of external communications, the Manager will help develop and manage the Firm's external communications strategy for the UK and EMEA, promoting its brand and reputation across the media and other external audiences.
Team Kennedys' Business Development & Marketing (BD&M) is over 80-strong and focuses on promoting Kennedys' services and supports the Firm's global growth ambition and key clients and markets.
There are four distinct functions: Pursuits, Clients and Markets, Marketing & Communications and Marketing Technology & Data.
These functions support the BD&M community across five regions – APAC, EMEA, LATAM, UK and US.
Our global team members are located across the UK, Dubai, Dublin, Hong Kong, Melbourne, Perth, Singapore, Sydney and the US.

Kennedys

Every day we make a difference. With our deep sector knowledge for insurers, reinsurers, Lloyd’s Syndicates, public bodies and corporates, we understand the impact of proposed regulations and will advise you on the implications this will have on your business.Kennedys is an international law firm with expertise in litigation and dispute resolution, particularly in the insurance/reinsurance and liability industries. With over 2,900 people worldwide across 48 offices in the UK and Europe, Middle East, Asia Pacific, North America and Latin America, we have some of the most respected legal minds in their fields.

London, England, GBR

2.9K employees

www.kennedyslaw.com