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Summary
The Senior Communications Manager plays a leading role in advancing the firm’s reputation and visibility through strategic public relations, and media relations. Working closely with lawyers, firm leaders, Communications and Marketing colleagues, and external PR agencies, this position develops and executes communications strategies that elevate the firm’s lawyers across practices, sectors, and markets.
The Senior Communications Manager identifies compelling stories and emerging opportunities, develops media strategies and messaging, builds relationships with key journalists, and leads proactive outreach across legal, business, national, regional, and industry media.
Location
This position can sit in any of our U.S. offices.
Responsibilities
Develops and leads public relations initiatives that raise the profile of the firm’s key practices, including pitching compelling story ideas, promoting thought leadership, and securing commentary opportunities on emerging legal and market trends.
Builds and maintains relationships with key journalists and media outlets, identifying opportunities to strengthen the firm’s visibility and connect lawyers with media opportunities related to timely legal, business, regulatory, and industry developments.
Provides strategic media counsel to firm leaders and lawyers, including guidance on positioning, messaging, media opportunities, and interview preparation.
Develops media pitches, briefing materials, key messages, talking points, press releases, statements, and other external communications.
Monitors media trends and coverage to identify emerging opportunities, issues, and conversations relevant to the firm and its clients.
Works closely with external PR agencies to develop and execute media strategies and campaigns, providing direction and ensuring alignment with firm priorities.
Collaborates across Communications, Marketing, Business Development, Digital, and other teams to ensure a coordinated approach to external communications.
Contributes to special projects and other external communications initiatives as needed.
Skills and Competencies
Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with the ability to translate complex legal and business issues into clear, compelling communications for sophisticated external audiences.
Significant experience developing and executing proactive media relations strategies, including story development, pitching, and journalist engagement.
Strong understanding of the media landscape and what makes a story relevant to legal, business, national, regional, and industry publications.
Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships with journalists, lawyers, senior leaders, and colleagues across a complex organization.
Excellent organizational and project-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, stakeholders, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Proactive, resourceful, collaborative, and solutions-oriented, with strong judgment and attention to detail.
Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a collaborative, multi-disciplinary team.
Experience in a law firm, professional services organization, PR agency, or similarly complex environment preferred.
Education
Bachelor's degree in public relations, marketing, communication, journalism or related field.
Years of Experience
8 years of experience in marketing, public relations or similar field.
Essential Job Expectations
All DLA Piper employees are expected to demonstrate excellence in how we serve our clients and develop our people, upholding our firm values as part of our culture. Specific expectations include:
Communicate effectively, both…