Senior PR & Communications Manager

Locations : New York or Washington, DC

Schedule : 9 : 00 AM to 5 : 30 PM

FLSA : Exempt

Position Type : Full-Time / Regular

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

We are currently seeking a Senior PR & Communications Manager, in the Marketing department, reporting directly to the Director of Communications.

The position can reside in the New York or Washington, DC office with hybrid work capabilities and will be responsible for providing support for the firm’s media relations and broader communications efforts in the firm’s offices throughout the U.

S. The Senior PR & Communications Manager supervises the communications coordinator and works closely with the communications and marketing teams across the firm to providing support for the firm’s public relations and media relations efforts in the U.

S. The Senior PR & Communications Manager is expected to clients, attorneys, advisors and staff, efficient and effective departmental operations, and an atmosphere of teamwork and continuous improvement.

Key responsibilities of this position include :

• Provide dedicated external communications support for core practices, aligning the firm's external message with its strategic goals.
• Draft impactful messaging for both external and internal communications working directly with the Director of Communications, firm leadership, and stakeholders.
• Work as part of a collaborative PR & communications team to deliver objectives in a timely manner including drafting and disseminating news relating to lateral partner hires, deals, victories, accolades, pro bono successes, and other firm news and initiatives.
• Identify opportunities and secure placements that generate brand visibility for the firm and its lawyers across targeted earned media channels.

This involves liaising with the firm’s lawyers, business development team and other business services teams to identify successes, trends, issues, and feature stories for partner commentary, ensuring maximum exposure before targeted audiences.

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with reporters and editors at tier one business and key trade publications, including legal trades and industry or practice-specific trades.
• Lead, build, and execute on the development of media-focused communications plans for practice areas across the firm, firm initiatives, and thought leadership that seek to shape and advance the reputation of Akin.
• Actively monitor global and US business and legal news and social media, incorporating external trends and case studies into plans to build impactful stakeholder-centric programs.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to key partner stakeholders and business services teams, such as business development, recruiting, HR, IT, and DE&I, to identify and promote, internally and externally, stories, features, and successes positioning the firm as an innovative leader.
• Place bylined articles in target publications, leveraging existing thought leadership content, and providing clear editorial guidance and drafting support where needed.
• Support the amplification of firm thought leadership through multiple communications channels, both internally and externally.
• Provide media training and coaching to lawyers, including presentations to various stakeholders.
• Write and edit speeches, talking points, and related communications for firm management, as well as other high-level internal communications in support of various initiatives across the firm.
• Contribute to the creation and editing of the firm’s internal newsletter, applying rigorous attention to metrics and monitoring, and incorporating insights and trends into media relations strategies.
• Earn and build reputation as a trusted lead PR professional, handling sensitive matters and reputation management.

Qualifications (Experience, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities) :

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Eight+ years of experience in a similar public relations, media relations and communications capacity; prior experience with a law firm, public relations agency or professional services firm is preferred
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including strong writing and editing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and secure visibility for high value PR opportunities.
• Ability to quickly and proactively identify and analyze problems, develop solutions and deliver results.
• Knowledge of and familiarity with online and electronic newswire services, media tracking and Internet research resources.
• Poise, tact and professionalism when interacting with internal and external contacts.
• A high degree of comfort in liaising with firm leadership and management.
• Ability to prioritize and manage workload, work independently and as a member of teams, and complete tasks under time pressure as necessary.
• Strong leadership skills and willingness to function as a role model within the department and office
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality of client and office information and adhering to the Firm’s Core Values
• Strong computer skills including advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint
• Commitment to professional growth and development
• Strong work ethic, service orientation, and an ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with users, peers, office and firm management, and outside business partners
• Ability to work extended hours as necessary to fulfill time sensitive responsibilities

The base salary range for this position in New York is $175,000 to $230,000.