Director of Public Relations

Seyfarth Shaw LLP • Chicago, IL

15d • Hybrid

About The Position

This high-visbility role will have firm-wide responsibility for developing and executing an effective external public relations and communications program to raise the profile of the firm to targeted audiences and to protect and enhance its image in the marketplace. Reporting to the Senior Director of Marketing and Communications and regularly engaging with firm leadership, this position will play an integral role in strengthening the firm’s reputation as a market leader in the industry.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent Experience.
• At least 10 years of relevant public relations experience, including experience in law firm or another professional services environment, with demonstrated increasing levels of responsibility.
• Superior verbal, writing and editing skills with an ability to inspire confidence.
• A highly professional demeanor, a high level of dedication and the ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• The ability to thrive in an intense, client-service environment; possess the ability to juggle multiple priorities; demonstrate strong project management skills; be able to develop and adhere to a lean budget; and lead teams of partners, peers and subordinates.
• A high degree of integrity, including maintaining confidentiality.
• Availability to travel to our U.S. offices on a regular basis (15%).

Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with the firm’s chair & managing partner, executive committee, and chief marketing & business development officer on PR strategies and provides advice and counsel in crisis communications situations.
• Align PR strategy with overarching firm strategy, department strategies, and broader external campaigns.
• Collaborate with communications team to develop the firm's message platform for external stakeholders and integrate those messages across news releases, social media channels, the firm’s Web site and other external communications vehicles.
• Work closely with the department chairs, practice group leaders, practice development team, and business development team to plan and execute practice department and/or office external communications, including thought leadership initiatives.
• Work closely with communications team to ensure alignment in internal messaging.
• Collaborate with AI and Innovation leadership, Pro Bono & Philanthropy partners; the Office of Inclusion and Diversity, and SeyfarthLife teams regarding their public relations strategies.
• Oversee media relations including the day-to-day media outreach (press releases, bylined articles, social media), responses to media inquiries, media award submissions, and monitor media coverage.
• Build and strengthen relationships with reporters, editors, and industry leaders.
• Provide media training and prepare attorneys and professionals for interviews, including drafting Q&As, backgrounders, and other preparatory materials.
• Track and report on media coverage, and provide continuous improvement analysis.
• Manage and lead internal public relations staff and oversee any outside public relations agencies the firm may engage.

Benefits

• Seyfarth provides competitive salary and benefits at all levels, and our culture embraces the entrepreneurial spirit of its professionals like no other firm.
• Our professional staff are a collaborative team, helping to define the unique client experience offered by the firm.
• We understand that it takes more than attorneys to build a successful legal practice; everyone participates in our commitment to excellence.
• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director