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Summary
The Communications Manager supports the firm’s external communications and public relations efforts, working with lawyers, Communications and Marketing and Business Development colleagues, and external PR agencies to identify and execute opportunities that highlight the firm’s lawyers across practices, sectors, and markets. This includes identifying newsworthy opportunities, developing compelling stories and messaging, engaging with journalists, and managing media initiatives from concept through execution.
Location
This position can sit in any of our U.S. offices.
Responsibilities
- Develops and executes proactive media relations initiatives that raise the visibility of the firm’s lawyers and practices, including promoting thought leadership, client matters, legal and business developments, and other newsworthy activity.
- Identifies timely media opportunities and develops story angles and pitches that connect the firm’s lawyers and capabilities with relevant legal, business, regulatory, and industry developments.
- Builds and maintains relationships with journalists across legal, business, national, regional, and industry media and conducts targeted outreach on behalf of the firm and its lawyers.
- Drafts and edits media pitches, press releases, talking points, briefing materials, website news items, and other external communications, ensuring content is clear, compelling, accurate, and aligned with firm messaging.
- Works directly with lawyers to develop media opportunities and prepare for interviews, including developing key messages and briefing materials and supporting media training.
- Evaluates incoming media inquiries and coordinates responses, working with lawyers and Communications colleagues to identify appropriate spokespeople, gather relevant information, and help ensure timely and effective engagement.
- Monitors media coverage, legal and business developments, and emerging issues to identify opportunities relevant to the firm, its lawyers, and clients.
- Promotes significant deals, disputes, and other client matters, working with lawyers and internal stakeholders to identify opportunities and develop appropriate external communications.
- Works with external PR agencies on media outreach and communications initiatives, coordinating activities and helping ensure execution aligns with firm priorities.
- Collaborates with Communications, Marketing, Business Development, Digital, and other teams to support coordinated communications initiatives across practices, sectors, and markets.
- Manages multiple communications initiatives and deadlines simultaneously, maintaining strong attention to detail and coordinating with stakeholders throughout the process.
- Contributes to special projects and other communications initiatives as needed.
Skills and Competencies
- Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with the ability to translate complex legal and business subjects into clear, engaging communications for sophisticated external audiences.
- Strong media relations skills, including experience developing story ideas, writing pitches, conducting media outreach, and working with journalists.
- Strong understanding of the media landscape and sound editorial judgment about what makes a story timely, relevant, and compelling to legal, business, national, regional, and industry publications.
- Ability to develop effective working relationships with lawyers, journalists, colleagues, and external agency partners across a complex organization.
- Strong verbal communication skills and the confidence and professionalism to work directly with lawyers and other senior stakeholders.
- 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 the ability to take ownership of assignments and move projects forward.
- Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a collaborative, multidisciplinary 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
- 5 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 verbally and in writing, with clients, lawyers, business professionals, and external audiences.
- Produce high-quality work and respond to correspondence in an efficient, timely, and professional manner.
- Meet deadlines, manage competing priorities, and commit to meeting high standards.
- Comply with firm policies and procedures.
- Maintain confidences as required in a law firm environment.
Physical Demands
Sedentary work: This is primarily sedentary work, requiring occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull, or move objects. The role involves sitting for extended periods, with occasional walking and standing, and occasional travel, both domestic and international.
Work Environment
The selected candidate will have the opportunity for a hybrid work arrangement combining remote and in-office work. The specific arrangement will be determined at the time of hiring and may be modified at the firm's discretion.
Compensation & Benefits
The firm's expected hiring range for this position is $112,879 - $179,481, depending on the candidate's geographic location, experience, skills, educational background, and overall qualifications.
DLA Piper offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, and additional benefits.
Application Process
Interested candidates must apply directly online. Application materials sent via email will not be accepted.
Reasonable accommodations may be made upon request to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position or participate in the selection process. For accommodation requests, please contact careers@us.dlapiper.com.
Agency applications will not be considered.
No immigration sponsorship is available for this position.
Disclaimer
This job description provides a concise overview of the role and is not intended to describe all work elements that may be performed. It should not serve as the sole criteria for personnel decisions. Job duties, requirements, and expectations may be modified at the firm's discretion at any time. This job description does not alter the at-will nature of employment.
We are committed to excellence in how we serve our clients and develop our people.
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DLA Piper is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. Job applicant poster viewing center.
