Assistant Director: Internal Communications

Mayer Brown • Chicago, IL

9d • Hybrid

About The Position

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 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. Reporting to the Global Director of Marketing Communications, the Assistant Director of Internal Communications will build and lead the Firm’s global internal communications function—setting strategy, shaping the enterprise editorial agenda, and owning the channels that connect our people to our purpose. You will architect a data-driven program grounded in audience insights and measurable outcomes, own, build, launch, and steward our intranet and toolset end-to-end, and deliver high-impact content and flagship campaigns that inform, engage, and align teams worldwide. Partnering closely with executive leadership and cross-functional stakeholders, you will drive message consistency, collaborate on crisis communications, and cultivate a culture of clarity and collaboration. As a people leader, you will lead the professional internal communications team, develop a high-performing operating model, and continuously learn, innovate, and scale impact across the Firm.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, journalism or a related field. A combination of education and/or experience may be considered in lieu of the degree when the experience has been directly related to the functions of the role.
• Ten years or more of experience managing an internal communications function
• Management of an enterprise-wide intranet
• Excellent 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 and 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 manage multiple projects
• Maintains confidentiality and exercises discretion
• Exercises solid strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated good judgment, a team-first orientation, meticulous and results driven.
• Applies established knowledge of intranets and how they can be deployed and managed as an effective communications channel
• Demonstrates leadership and supervisory experience including managing projects and workflows, effectively leveraging BD&M team support as needed
• Manages processes for direct reports in relation to performance appraisals, annual compensation, goal setting and performance counseling
• Leads by example, providing guidance, coaching, and mentorship to BD&M team members
• 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
• High/premium quality orientation
• Able to set priorities and delegate in an efficient manner
• Analysis of staffing levels and requests for assistance
• Operational budget analysis and recommendations

Nice To Haves

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products
• WordPress (preferred)
• Adobe Creative Suite (preferred)
• Basic understanding of HTML (preferred)

Responsibilities

• Strategy and Governance: Lead the Firm’s internal communications strategy grounded in audience and channel research, SMART goals, and clear governance. Establish metrics and operating rhythms; run initial and ongoing audits of channels, content, and processes to drive continuous improvement.
• Editorial and Content: Own the enterprise editorial calendar, including flagship programs and targeted campaigns that inform, engage, and align employees with Firm priorities. Set standards for voice, plain language, accessibility, and localization. Write and edit high-quality internal content across channels and formats; oversee production.
• Channels and Platform Management: Own the intranet and internal communications tools end-to-end, including roadmap, taxonomy, integrations, and change management. Plan and execute launches and adoption programs; ensure platforms are current, user-friendly, and effective.
• Stakeholder Management and Alignment: Partner with Executive Communications to cascade leadership messages across internal channels. Consult and coordinate with IT, HR, Finance, Marketing Communications, and Employee Engagement to align messaging, avoid duplication, and optimize channel use. Provide counsel and high-level review to departments to maintain consistency with Firm strategy.
• Crisis and Issues Communications: Collaborate with leadership on internal communications for crises and sensitive issues, ensuring timely, accurate, and coordinated updates to partners and employees.
• Measurement and Optimization: Leverage analytics, content management systems, and AI-enabled tools to target audiences, measure engagement, test and learn, and refine communications for increased impact.
• Team Leadership and Operations: Lead and develop the Internal Communications team, including performance management, budgeting, workflows, and vendor/agency management as needed.
• Additional duties as assigned by the Global Director of Marketing Communications.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees