Senior Public Relations Manager - Media Relations

Sidley Austin LLP•Chicago, IL

47d•$160,000 - $200,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Reporting to the Director of Public Relations, the Senior Public Relations Manager will be responsible for the delivery, management and execution of high-impact public relations activities that support the firm's global strategy. S/He will play a leading role in various activities including the supervision of Sidley PR agency partners in executing media relations actions, serving as project manager on multiple initiatives simultaneously, drafting communications materials for external and internal audiences and educating internal stakeholders on PR best practices. The Senior Public Relations Manager must be a self-starter, exceptional writer, critical thinker and team player with strong communication, organizational and management skills.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree, preferably in Communication, English, Journalism or Public Relations
A minimum of 10 years of Public Relations experience
Extensive writing, organizational and project management experience
Experience managing and leading teams
Strong organizational skills
Strong attention to detail
Good judgment
Strong interpersonal communication skills
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Able to work harmoniously and effectively with others
Able to preserve confidentiality and exercise discretion
Able to work under pressure
Able to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities

Nice To Haves

Prior Law firm experience
Prior PR agency experience

Responsibilities

Develops and implements public relations activities that are consistent with the firm's global strategy, organizational needs and business goals
Leverages understanding of the legal landscape and the firm's strategic priorities to influence and drive media relations efforts
Serves as the lead day-to-day contact and provides direction to multiple external PR agencies on strategy and tactical media outreach
Crafts and distills complex messages to create written materials including press releases, pitches and messaging documents that are error free and appropriate for the intended audience
Assesses risks associated with media interaction and proactively proposes effective courses of action
Evaluates media opportunities for potential conflicts in order to minimize risk to the firm, secures approvals for lawyers to participate in media activity and guides lawyers in skilled media participation
Develops and maintains strong relationships with Sidley leadership, other lawyers and key stakeholders within the marketing department and the broader firm to establish themselves as a trusted resource on best practices related to PR/media engagement
Proactively identifies opportunities for the firm to earn positive media coverage by developing original story/pitch ideas and actively participating in pitching and securing media opportunities
Serves as a connector across practices and regions, finding opportunities for lawyers to engage with the media
Proactively shares pre-emptive solutions and effectively manages expectations with key stakeholders, addressing problems when they arise
Counsels Sidley partners in preparation for media interviews, providing guidance that demonstrates PR best practices for message development
Provides leadership to others on the PR team, as needed, and works collaboratively across functions and departments
Independently researches, identifies and secures opportunities for lawyers to be positioned as thought leaders with the media and with publishing byline articles
Leads by example in supporting firm and department management initiatives
Contributes thoughtful insight and counsel in strategy and planning discussions, and is able to drive the implementation of same throughout the PR team
Other duties, as required