Director of Public Relations - Mayer Brown LLP

Mayer Brown is an international law firm positioned to represent the world’s major corporations, funds, and financial institutions in their most important and complex transactions and disputes. We are recognized by our clients as strategic partners with deep commercial instincts and a commitment to creatively anticipating their needs and delivering excellence in everything we do.

We are a collegial, collaborative, and diverse firm where highly motivated individuals with an unwavering commitment to excellence receive the opportunity, support, and development they need to grow, thrive, and realize their greatest potential all while supporting the Firm’s client service principles of excellence, strategic partnership, commercial instinct, integrated strengths, innovation, and collaboration across our international firm.

If you enjoy working with team members whose defining characteristics are exceptional client service, initiative, professionalism, responsiveness, and adaptability, you may be the person we are seeking to join our Business Development and Marketing department in our New York, Chicago or Washington, D.C. office, as a Director of Public Relations.

In conjunction with Senior Leadership, the Director of Public Relations, develops and manages all external public relations communications and related materials to raise the Firm’s profile and enhance its reputation, including Firm, office, practice area, product area, significant thought leadership campaign, client team, industry group and individual lawyer media relations efforts.

Essential Functions:     

• In conjunction with Senior Leadership, develops and manages all external public relations communications and related materials to raise the Firm’s profile and enhance its reputation, including Firm, office, practice area, product area, client team, industry group, significant thought leadership campaign and individual lawyer media relations efforts
• Acts as senior media relations strategist and Public Relations (PR) executive
• Leads and manages the efforts of the Firm’s global PR team
• Advises Firm leadership on ongoing communication opportunities and strategy, including thought leadership campaign design and structuring
• Acts as Firm’s primary “crisis communications” executive, in coordination with the Global Chief Business Development & Marketing Officer and Firm leadership
• Ensures that the Firm’s core values are incorporated as appropriate into Firm communications
• Recommends strategic approach and plans and manages the execution of external media and public relations activities and lawyer achievements, Firm growth and performance, special events, breaking news, crisis communications and community relations
• Drafts certain awards submissions and manages overall award submissions (FT Innovation, Law 360 Law Firm of Year, AmLaw Litigation Department of the Year, etc.)
• Tracks and reports to management on coverage by business, industry, and legal media of the Firm and its offices, practices and lawyers
• Coaches Firm/practice/office leadership and individual lawyers or teams in media relations and presentation skills
• Develops and maintains effective relationships with editors, publishers and reporters who cover the Firm, the legal profession or Firm clients’ business sectors
• Coordinates PR/press strategy and communications globally and serves as Global PR director, managing and mentoring the Firm’s media/PR staff in the writing, design, and execution of the full range of the Firm’s PR activities, including:
• • Press releases, press materials, etc.
  • Spotlights stories
  • Leadership communications
  • Media tracking and reporting
• Closely collaborates with the Director of Communications to lead the Firm’s external communications campaigns, collaborating as well with Global Directors in Business Development & Marketing and Firm leadership, ensuring that all significant Firm communications are effective, timely and consistent with Firm values and strategy
• Collaborates with the other departmental directors on skills-building in the areas of writing, presentation skills, effective media relations technique, etc.
• Directs the operations and relationships of agencies/vendors retained to provide public or media relations support or training, writing or other editorial services
• Collaborates with lawyers, business-development specialists and others on the creation and placement of editorial content bylined by Firm lawyers
• Performs other duties as assigned or required to meet Firm goals and objectives

Education/Training/Certifications:      

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism or related field, required
• Advanced degree in a related area, preferred
• Juris Doctor degree, preferred

Professional Experience:

• Minimum of fifteen years of demonstrated success in a PR/media and/or communications-related field, preferably in the professional services arena (e.g., law, accounting, consulting) or in one or more positions of comparable seniority in the corporate, trade association, or agency sectors, required
• Prior experience working at a law firm, preferred

Technical Skills:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products, required

Performance Traits: 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, able to communicate effectively and in a professional manner with all levels of the Firm and outside vendors
• Ability to work in a diverse team environment and effectively support the demanding needs of the Firm
• Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines with shifting priorities
• Must be a self-starter with a high level of initiative
• Strong customer service skills, able to anticipate needs and exercise independent judgment
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple projects
• Maintains confidentiality and exercises discretion
• Exercises solid strategic thinking and problem-solving skills

Management Accountabilities:

• Manages processes for direct reports related to performance appraisals, annual compensation, goal setting and performance counselling
• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience
• Operational budget analysis and recommendations
• Conducts analysis of staffing levels and participation in the recruitment process
• Able to determine and implement change processes to improve workflow efficiencies
• Process- and service-oriented with strong leadership and project management skills
• Able to set priorities and delegate in an efficient manner

Physical Requirements:

• May require travel to other offices as needed

The typical pay scale for this position is between $258,900 and $375,400, although the actual wage or salary could be lower or higher if the candidate’s education, experience, skills and internal pay alignment are different from those specified. 

The above is a general description of the essential duties associated with this position and does not represent an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all duties.

The Firm may modify and amend this job description at any time at its sole discretion. Nothing herein creates a contract of employment or otherwise modifies the at-will nature of employment.

We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, including medical/dental/vision/life/and AD&D insurance, 401(k) savings plan, back-up childcare and eldercare, generous paid time off (PTO), as well as opportunities for professional development and growth.

Thank you for your interest in Mayer Brown. We are committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities and disabled veterans. To request a reasonable accommodation related to the application process and/or job interview, please email uslateralrecruiting@mayerbrown.com. 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.

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