Director of Public Relations and Communications

Katten•Chicago, IL

26d•$230,000 - $280,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Public Relations and Communications is responsible for developing and executing the Firm’s external public relations strategy, leading external and strategic internal communications, and overseeing the Firm’s awards, rankings, and editorial submissions. Reporting to the Chief Business Development and Marketing Officer, this role exercises a high degree of discretion and independent judgment and serves as a strategic advisor to firm leadership on reputation management, media engagement, and sensitive communications. This position plays a central role in shaping how the Firm is perceived by clients, media, and the broader market, ensuring messaging is consistent, credible, and aligned with the Firm’s branding and strategic priorities. The Director partners closely with Firm leadership, attorneys, Marketing and Business Development teams, and outside advisors to proactively manage the Firm’s profile and respond effectively to emerging opportunities or risks. The Director of Public Relations and Communications can sit in our Chicago, New York, Washington D.C., Charlotte, or Dallas office. Katten offers a hybrid work model, allowing the flexibility to work both on-site and remotely on a regular basis (KattenFlex).

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Public Relations/Communications required.
Advanced degree preferred, and fifteen (15) or more years’ of public relations and communications experience required.
Must be a highly motivated self-starter, exhibit high degree of initiative and critical-thinking skills and exercise independent judgment in order to establish and manage multiple priorities simultaneously in a demanding, fast-paced, deadline-driven, detail-oriented work environment.
Must be an excellent writer and business strategist with the ability to identify and establish marketing opportunities in a wide variety of areas to enhance the visibility of the Firm.
Outstanding interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to communicate with courtesy and diplomacy, efficiently follow written and verbal instructions, provide information and maintain effective relationships with a diverse group of attorneys, clients, staff and outside contacts.
Must be results-oriented and proactive with excellent troubleshooting, problem resolution and follow-through skills.
Ability to identify and analyze complex marketing issues and problems and to recommend and implement solutions.
Ability to articulate, work with and challenge the Firm’s attorneys to present appropriate, consistent and quotable messages to both the media and other external audiences.
Exceptional organizational skills including record keeping, data collection and system information.
Ability to compile and analyze complex data and furnish concise, detailed information in report format, written correspondence, e-mail or verbally
Work occasionally requires more than 37.5 hours per week to perform the essential duties of the position.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience working in a large legal or professional services firm is preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead the development and execution of the Firm’s public relations strategy, aligning media outreach, thought leadership, and visibility initiatives with priority practices, sectors, and Firm objectives.
Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key journalists and editors across national, legal, business, and industry trade publications.
Secure high-impact media placements that enhance the Firm’s reputation and market positioning.
Serve as a primary point of contact for media inquiries, managing responses and coordinating with Firm leadership and attorneys as appropriate.
Draft and oversee press releases, media statements, talking points, and background materials.
Own the Firm’s communications strategy, including preparedness, response protocols, escalation frameworks, and post-incident review.
Develop and maintain communications playbooks, templates, and guidance for a wide range of scenarios, including litigation, regulatory matters, cyber incidents, leadership changes, and external events that may impact the Firm.
Advise Firm leadership in real time on messaging, tone, risk mitigation, and stakeholder communications during high-stakes or time-sensitive situations.
Coordinate closely with General Counsel, Firm leadership, and outside advisors to ensure consistent and effective communications.
Provide strategic oversight of the Firm’s awards, rankings, and editorial submissions, ensuring efforts are focused on opportunities that support the Firm’s reputation, practice priorities, and growth objectives.
Develop annual and multi-year strategies for key legal, business, and industry awards, rankings, and surveys.
Ensure consistency of messaging across awards, media, directories, and other external-facing materials.
Monitor evolving award and editorial opportunities and recommend participation based on strategic value.
Oversee key aspects of the Firm’s internal communications strategy in partnership with firm leadership, ensuring clarity, consistency, and alignment across offices and functions.
Draft and manage internal messaging related to Firm initiatives, policy changes, leadership announcements, sensitive matters, and major news events.
Develop and maintain adaptable templates and guidance to support timely internal communications in both routine and crisis scenarios.
Monitor legal, business, and general news to identify issues or trends that may warrant internal communication or leadership attention.
Partner closely with Marketing and Business Development teams to support client development initiatives, thought leadership, and firmwide campaigns.
Work directly with attorneys and practice leaders to identify newsworthy matters, industry trends, and opportunities for media coverage, awards, and editorial positioning.
Coach attorneys and Firm leaders on media readiness, message discipline, and quotable positioning.
Coordinate with Marketing on website content, attorney biographies, and Firm profile updates to ensure alignment across channels.
Directly supervises and manages the Communications and Public Relations team members and is responsible for their overall direction, coordination, and evaluation.
Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the Firm’s policies and applicable laws.
Responsibilities include interviewing and training; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems; and making recommendations for hiring, promotion, compensation, and termination.