External Communications Lead

Job Description

The role

Clifford Chance US LLP has  an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to help develop and execute the firm's external communications strategy in the Americas market. Our US and Latin America markets are central to the firm's global strategy, and this position plays a central role in distinguishing us in the US market. As a senior member of the Americas' Brand, Communications & Public Affairs team, the External Communications Lead,  Americas, is responsible for executing proactive, high-impact public relations strategies that reinforce Clifford Chance's brand and reputation as the premiere global law firm.

This senior-level role will be reporting to the Head of Brand, Communications and Public Affairs (BC&PA), Americas. This role will work closely with partners, lawyers and business professional leaders across the Americas, collaborate with global teams, and engage with external suppliers and agencies. This role can be based in either our New York or Washington DC offices.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute proactive public relations strategies that elevate the region's leadership, subject matter expertise and growth priorities. 
• Drive earned media focused on practice area successes, lateral partner and lawyer growth, milestones and thought leadership across priority sectors and themes. 
• Translate complex legal and regulatory themes into clear, compelling narratives for business, legal and vertical industry media. 
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with top-tier national, legal and vertical trade reporters, as well as international contacts where appropriate. 
• Prepare partners and senior leaders with messaging, briefing materials and media prep/training. 
• Identify media trends and white-space opportunities that reinforce Clifford Chance's business priorities, position and reputation in the America's legal industry.
• Collaborate closely with social, digital and content colleagues to ensure earned media is amplified through social, owned and paid channels. 
• Partner with business development and marketing teams to align messaging, timing and narrative consistency. 
• Proactively identify, assess, and communicate potential areas of risk to protect the reputation of the firm.
• Provide issues and crisis communications support as needed, in coordination with Head of BC&PA, Americas. 
• Manage the region's media monitoring/reporting and media database to ensure PR performance informs strategy and is effectively measured and communicated to senior stakeholders.
• Manage external agencies and partners to ensure high-quality execution and accountability. 
   

Qualifications

Your experience

Personal competencies

• Professional, personable and mature, with the ability to work appropriately with people at all levels of the organization, including senior executives. Able to foster, enhance and contribute to the team environment.
• Equally adept and comfortable working at both a strategic and tactical level.
• Proven skilled communicator, able to convince and articulate verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrate strong collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a global team. .
• Stay informed on current events, news and business trends, and commercially aware.
• Effectively manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously, consistently meeting deadlines while delivering work to the highest professional standards.
• Adept at calmly handling urgent situations as they arise, with the flexibility to adapt to fast-changing dynamics.
• Maintain an approachable, responsive, and client-focused attitude in all interactions.

Professional skills

• 8+ year's experience in B2B public relations, with at least four years' experience working in or on behalf of AmLaw 100 law firms.

• Strong media relations judgment, with the ability to identify, shape and execute opportunities that support business priorities, build reputation and strengthen market visibility.

• Proven ability to develop and execute external communications strategies for AmLaw 100 law firms, including partner visibility, practice/sector positioning, lateral partner announcements, deal/matter promotion and issues management.

• Strong understanding of the US legal media landscape, including relationships with reporters and editors covering Big Law, disputes, transactions, regulatory issues, lateral hiring, firm strategy and the business of law.

• Exceptional writing and editing skills, with the ability to produce high-quality press releases, media pitches, statements, talking points, Q&A documents, briefing materials and partner messaging with precision and sound judgment.

• Excellent news judgment, including the ability to distinguish between activity that is genuinely newsworthy and activity that may be better suited for other channels.

• Strategic advisory skills, with the confidence to counsel partners and senior stakeholders on media opportunities, reputational considerations, message discipline and realistic outcomes.

• Ability to connect external communications activity to firm priorities, including growth in the US market, priority practices, sectors, geographies and client-relevant themes.

• High level of attention to detail, with a strong commitment to accuracy, consistency, proofreading and quality control.

• Collaborative working style, with the ability to contribute positively to a small team while also raising standards, improving processes and driving stronger results.

• Ability to bring both strategic discipline and executional excellence — developing the plan, writing the materials, managing the process and delivering the result.

• Must be able to travel to other firm offices as needed

• Flexibility to work outside core business hours as needed.

• Must comply with the Firm’s Agile Working Policy, requiring in-office presence at least three days each calendar week.

• Must be independently legally authorized to work in the United States.

Clifford Chance US LLP offers a comprehensive benefits and compensation package. The salary range for this role is $200,000 - $240,000. The actual salary will be commensurate with the candidate's qualifications and relevant experience.
 

Additional Information

Equal Opportunities

At Clifford Chance, we forge an inclusive culture, where all perspectives are recognised and valued. It’s a culture where everyone has equal access to opportunities to thrive and succeed, irrespective of background. We are guided by our values-based Code, which sets high standards of conduct and has a principle focused on being inclusive.

We are an equal opportunity employer and provide consideration to all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We comply with the law and regulations in every location where we operate and across all aspects of employment, from recruitment and selection to development, progression, and day-to-day working life.  

Find out more about our inclusive culture here

Company Description

Who we are

As a global law firm our work spans jurisdictions, cultures, and languages – and so do our people.

Our culture is collaborative and inclusive, where diverse perspectives are recognised and valued. Where performing to your highest ability, unlocks equal access to opportunities to learn, thrive and grow. 

We combine deep legal expertise and commercial intelligence to grow, transform, protect, and defend our clients' businesses, across every critical moment.

We operate in the sectors and regions that matter to our clients. With forward-thinking insights and innovative, tech-enabled solutions that combine deep knowledge of their sectors and markets.

You’ll build connections and work with colleagues as one global team. You’ll unlock opportunities for clients, across borders, cultures, legal and commercial disciplines.

Join us to work with colleagues as one global team – empowering each other to be exceptional and create advantage for our clients.