Sr. Manager Communications

DLA Piper•Reston, VA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Communications Manager advances DLA Piper’s reputation and visibility through strategic public relations and media relations. Working with lawyers, firm leaders, Communications and Marketing colleagues, and external PR agencies, the role develops and executes communications strategies that elevate the firm’s lawyers across practices, sectors, and markets. The manager identifies compelling stories and emerging opportunities, develops media strategies and messaging, builds journalist relationships, and leads proactive outreach across legal, business, national, regional, and industry media. The position may be based in any U.S. office and offers a hybrid arrangement combining remote and in-office work. The specific arrangement is determined at hiring and may be modified at the firm’s discretion. The role is primarily sedentary, with occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, or moving of objects weighing up to 10 pounds; extended sitting; occasional walking and standing; and occasional domestic and international travel. The expected hiring range is $149,276–$237,355, depending on geographic location, experience, skills, education, and qualifications. DLA Piper offers medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan, and additional benefits. The role requires a bachelor’s degree in public relations, marketing, communication, journalism, or a related field, and eight years of experience in marketing, public relations, or a similar field. No immigration sponsorship is available.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in public relations, marketing, communication, journalism, or a related field.
Eight years of experience in marketing, public relations, or a similar field.
Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, including the ability to translate complex legal and business issues into clear, compelling communications for sophisticated external audiences.
Significant experience developing and executing proactive media relations strategies, including story development, pitching, and journalist engagement.
Strong understanding of the media landscape and what makes a story relevant to legal, business, national, regional, and industry publications.
Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships with journalists, lawyers, senior leaders, and colleagues across a complex organization.
Excellent organizational and project-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, stakeholders, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Proactive, resourceful, collaborative, and solutions-oriented approach, with strong judgment and attention to detail.
Ability to work independently and contribute effectively within a collaborative, multidisciplinary team.
Ability to meet deadlines, manage competing priorities, comply with firm policies and procedures, and maintain confidences.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a law firm, professional services organization, PR agency, or similarly complex environment is preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop and lead public relations initiatives that raise the profile of key firm practices, including pitching story ideas, promoting thought leadership, and securing commentary opportunities on emerging legal and market trends.
Build and maintain relationships with journalists and media outlets, identifying opportunities to strengthen the firm’s visibility and connect lawyers with media opportunities.
Provide strategic media counsel to firm leaders and lawyers, including guidance on positioning, messaging, media opportunities, and interview preparation.
Develop media pitches, briefing materials, key messages, talking points, press releases, statements, and other external communications.
Monitor media trends and coverage to identify relevant opportunities, issues, and conversations.
Work with external PR agencies to develop and execute media strategies and campaigns, providing direction and ensuring alignment with firm priorities.
Collaborate with Communications, Marketing, Business Development, Digital, and other teams to coordinate external communications.
Contribute to special projects and other external communications initiatives as needed.
Communicate effectively with clients, lawyers, business professionals, and external audiences; produce high-quality work and respond to correspondence efficiently, timely, and professionally.
Meet deadlines, manage competing priorities, uphold high standards, comply with firm policies and procedures, and maintain confidences required in a law firm environment.