Manager of Communications

Harris Beach Murtha•Rochester, NY

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Business Development team is seeking a highly organized professional with a client-service mindset and a collaborative, positive approach. This individual is responsible for managing firm-wide strategic communications and media relations to advance regional visibility and generate growth opportunities. The Manager of Communications will create and develop written strategic communication plans, including social media, to support the announcement of new attorneys, launch of new products/services and major initiatives. This includes internal and external communications.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in marketing or related field
5+ years of experience in a managerial role in a law firm or other professional services organization
Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively and efficiently respond to timely requests and concerns
Sound judgment, accountability, and initiative, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines
Strong analytical skills and ability to think strategically and identify synergies
Exhibit the ability to effectively multi-task, meet deadlines, and provide solutions in a fast-paced office setting
Demonstrate strong client service and active listening skills
Show consistent logic, rationale, and objectivity in decision making
Believe in the firm’s core values: collaboration, inclusion, ingenuity, respect, integrity, and commitment
Enjoy working with diverse personalities within various levels of the firm
Are comfortable working in the office on a hybrid schedule and attending events

Nice To Haves

Law firm experience
Experience in a professional services organization

Responsibilities

Work closely with the managers/directors of business development, marketing director and attorneys to create and develop strategic PR plans for their practice and related practice groups/industry teams.
Provide status updates and reports on PR efforts to stakeholders.
Assess effectiveness of communications by utilizing analytics and metrics and report findings to the stakeholders.
Perform public relations support, such as draft, distribute and follow up to firm press releases through all platforms; announce new attorneys and senior staff; promote attorney and staff community recognition, and pitch to the media news on the firm and distribute firm “insights” to media outlets.
Establish strong media relations with regional business press and in markets where we do business as well as broader business and national media, legal industry publications and relevant trade press.
Proactive review of editorial calendars and regular outreach to editorial staff to discern upcoming opportunities.
Provide training and preparation support for attorney media opportunities or when serving as a firm spokesperson.
Serve as a member of the social media team supporting social media initiatives and campaigns.
Manage content curation platforms and recognition outlets, such as Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers; manage process to proactively identify and fulfill attorney recognition opportunities.
Research and keep abreast of relevant marketing and industry trends to enhance relationships with traditional and social media in each market and relevant trade media.
Support the communications strategy of the firm during controversial or crisis situations.
Serve as a consultant for client situations that are controversial or a crisis. This includes serving as the media relations interface as appropriate – or, serving as liaison to outside resources.
Assist with other duties as needed.