Manager, Media Relations

White & Case • NY

106d

About The Position

The Manager, Media Relations works directly with partners and business services leaders to provide media relations advice and execution, with an emphasis on proactive work to manage firm announcements, protect and promote the firm’s reputation and leverage practice and industry expertise to join public conversations about current issues in the news. The Manager will lead the practice-wide Americas-based media relations programs for the firm’s Disputes Practices, which include Litigation, International Arbitration, White Collar, Intellectual Property and Trade, as well as Pro Bono and Global Citizenship. The manager will also spearhead Americas media relations activity for the corresponding Global Industry Groups, which include Life Sciences & Healthcare and Technology. This role is part of a global Media Relations team. Based in New York, the Manager will interact with lawyers and colleagues across the firm’s 11 offices in the US and Latin America, as well as colleagues in offices across our EMEA and Asia-Pacific regions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• At least 5-7 years’ experience in the media relations field, including meaningful experience working in-house or in a PR agency.
• Ability to use databases, newswires and other data sources related to media relations.
• Excellent writing and editing skills; a persuasive communicator to internal and external audiences.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with a focus on storytelling and customer service.
• Proven ability to develop media relations plans and strategies to support specific, actionable business objectives.
• Knowledge of relevant firm computer software programs (e.g., Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Flexibility to adjust hours necessary to meet operating and business needs.
• Ability to work with team members from different cultures spread across multiple offices and geographic regions.
• Ability to distill complex legal materials into actionable media narratives.
• Strong problem-solving, relationship-building and interpersonal skills.
• Creative thinker who excels at identifying issues and opportunities in the business press.
• Ability to handle sensitive matters and maintain confidentiality.
• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Client service orientation.
• Avid news consumer.
• Strong judgment, critical thinking, decisiveness.
• Curiosity and an open mind for learning about issues and trends relevant to the firm’s business.
• Ability to work independently and proactively, adaptive to changing and sometimes competing demands.
• Deadline-driven, and able to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Nice To Haves

• Professional services experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Americas media strategy for a portfolio of the firm’s Finance practice areas and select Global Industry Groups.
• Act as the primary media relations contact for the firm’s Global Practice Leads, Global Industry Leaders and partners in the portfolio.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with mainstream media, disputes trade press and legal trade press.
• Generate and pitch story ideas about the firm’s practices and areas of expertise.
• Manage media monitoring and track tangible earned media results for the Disputes portfolio.
• Write press releases, backgrounders, and draft Q&As and statements.
• Provide media coaching and preparation to key spokespeople ahead of media engagement.
• Ensure that all media opportunities are vetted in line with firm policies and procedures.
• Maintain strong relationships with business development colleagues.
• Collaborate with other Communications team members to increase partner, practice and overall firm visibility.
• Leverage thought leadership content for media relations activity.
• Ensure that media relations messaging is globally consistent, while being regionally nuanced.
• Contribute to a collegial, engaged, high-performing team and cultivate junior team members.
• Provide support to senior members of the Media Relations team when necessary.
• Assist in managing activities of the firm’s external public relations agency in the Americas.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Life and disability coverage.
• 401(k) retirement savings.
• Vacation time.
• Leave programs (including parental leave).
• Performance bonus eligibility for exempt roles.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees