Media Relations Specialist

New York, NY

Summary

The Media Relations Specialist is the lead on work requiring strategic direction in addition to overseeing the day to day tasks associated with running a press office.

The Media Relations Specialist has responsibility for running communications campaigns in the U.S. and Latin America and coordinating activity with colleagues across the firm.

The purpose of the role is to proactively promote and raise the profile of the firm via a targeted media relations program in the U.S. and in Latin America in the legal, industry and broadsheet press. The role also involves working closely with marketing colleagues and lawyers across the platform to spot and resolve issues, and drive content development.

Key Responsibilities

Media Relations

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key journalists at target national newspapers, key industry/trade press, and the legal press in the U.S. and Latin America to raise the profile of the firm externally
• Act as an ambassador for the firm with journalists
• Devise and implement plans to maximize media opportunities for commentary, working closely with lawyers and business development in key practice groups and industry groups
• Identify proactive media opportunities to support the marketing of our key industry groups
• Position and pitch lawyers to the media as thought leaders in their areas of focus
• Provide detailed briefings for spokespeople in advance of journalist meetings/calls
• Advise media spokespeople on best practice for media relations and provide in-house training when required
• Draft, edit, distribute and follow up on press releases to announce firm news (whether related to deals, successes, firm-wide news)
• Provide guidance to marketing colleagues, lawyers and business services staff on press release style and content
• Distribute media clips to lawyers and marketing team colleagues, where appropriate
• Oversee maintenance of media contact lists, including use of media monitoring and contact platforms
• Coordinate the global monthly media report in coordination with colleagues in Asia and EMEA

Wider Communications Services Support

• Ensure website content is up-to-date (e.g. press releases are published on the website, lead content is featured on the homepage)
• Ensure media opportunities are being fully realized across communication channels including working closely with the Digital Communications Specialist in New York who manages the firm’s social media channels

Secondary Responsibilities

Internal Communications

• Distribute regular internal communication regarding media coverage highlights
• Regularly make recommendations to maximize content distribution on internal communications channels
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Knowledge, Skills & Attributes

• Pro-active, confident, assertive, positive and enthusiastic
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills and able to influence others to support objectives
• Confident and proactive personality is a must, with the ability to build relationships quickly
• Strong advising and influencing skills
• Strong sense of teamwork but confident to work autonomously
• Ability to work to tight deadlines within a fast paced environment
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize multiple projects and responsibilities and consistently deliver high quality results in a timely manner
• Spanish language would be an advantage but not a requirement 

Education & Experience

• 4 year college degree or equivalent
• 3 to 5 years’ relevant experience of managing media relations, preferably gained in a law firm or other professional services or consulting environment. Experience in a PR agency working with professional services clients also welcomed instead of in-house experience.
• A comprehensive understanding of marketing and business development strategy and implementation 

Physical Activity/Other Miscellaneous

• Flexibility to work outside regular business hours will be necessary