EMEA Communications Director in London

Gibson Dunn is a leading global law firm, advising clients on significant transactions and disputes. Our exceptional teams craft and deploy creative legal strategies that are meticulously tailored to every matter, however complex or high-stakes. The firm’s work is distinguished by a unique combination of precision and vision.

Based in London, the EMEA Communications Director will define and deliver a forward-looking communications and PR strategy for our European, Middle East, and Asia operations. This leader will shape the firm’s regional narrative, build influence in priority markets, guide executive positioning, and lead cross-border reputation and media engagement efforts. Candidates should bring proven credibility with top-tier media, exceptional judgment, and the ability to operate confidently within a global, partnership-led organization.

At Gibson Dunn, you will have the opportunity to shape the PR and media strategy of one of the world’s most respected law firms.

• Global Impact: Your work will define the firm’s public narrative and media presence across major business and legal markets worldwide.
• Collaborative Culture: Partner with senior leaders, lawyers, and professionals across diverse practices and regions to develop and execute high-impact media relations strategies.
• Leadership Growth: Lead and manage a world-class communications team while shaping the future of PR and media relations within a complex, global B2B environment.
• Innovation at Scale: Drive the evolution of the PR and media relations function by leveraging cutting-edge tools—including AI-enabled monitoring and analytics—to deliver proactive, strategic communications at scale.

This role reports to the Chief Client Experience & Communications Officer, and will collaborate with colleagues across the Client Experience & Communications team and practice leadership worldwide.

Responsibilities include:

• Regional Communications Strategy & Global Alignment: Develop and lead an integrated communications and PR strategy across key European, Middle East, and Asia markets—ensuring alignment with global brand priorities while tailoring messaging to reflect local legal, regulatory, and cultural nuances.
• Executive Positioning & Thought Leadership: Shape and elevate the profiles of regional Managing Partners, practice leaders, and lawyers through strategic positioning, media engagement, speaking opportunities, and locally relevant thought leadership.
• EMEA Media Relations Leadership: Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with top-tier business, financial, and legal media across Europe and the Middle East (e.g., FT, Bloomberg, Reuters, Economist, etc.) Proactively secure high-quality coverage that advances the firm’s reputation.
• Cross-Border Issues, Crisis & Reputation Management: Serve as a senior advisor on complex, multi-jurisdictional matters—supporting crisis communications, reputational risk assessments, litigation PR, and regulatory issues in partnership with global leadership and local offices.
• Editorial Strategy, Messaging & Content Localization: Oversee the development of compelling, accurate, on-brand content including press releases, partner announcements, media statements, messaging frameworks, and regionally adapted global thought leadership.
• Market Intelligence, Competitive Insight & Story Development: Monitor regional legal, business, political, and regulatory developments to identify communication risks and opportunities.
• Measurement, Analytics & Reporting Team Leadership, Agency Oversight & Regional Coordination Integrated Multi-Channel Campaigns: Collaborate with Digital, Marketing, Business Development, and Design teams to develop and execute cross-border, multi-channel campaigns (media, social, web, events) that elevate key practice areas, sector initiatives, and lawyer visibility. Provide leadership with timely analysis that informs positioning and narrative strategy.
• AI-Driven PR Innovation: Leverage advanced AI tools and technologies to enhance content creation, personalization, and distribution. Explore and implement AI-driven solutions for automated content generation, and audience segmentation—ensuring the firm remains at the forefront of digital innovation. Integrate AI into workflows to optimize efficiency and elevate storytelling.
• Define KPIs and reporting frameworks to assess media impact, sentiment, regional campaign performance, and reputation metrics. Provide data-driven insights to inform continuous improvement and future strategy.
• Lead, develop, and mentor EMEA-based communications professionals. Manage external PR agencies across priority markets. Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture that works seamlessly with global counterparts.

Qualifications:

• Extensive experience developing and executing communications strategies across multiple EMEA markets (e.g., UK, EU, Middle East, and Asia), ideally within a global law firm, professional services, financial services, or other complex, partnership-led environments.
• Well-established relationships with leading business, financial, and legal media across Europe; proven track record of influencing top-tier coverage and navigating sophisticated media ecosystems.
• Experience advising senior leaders on high-stakes, sensitive matters—including cross-border issues, investigations, partner moves, and regulatory or geopolitical developments.
• Exceptional ability to craft clear, compelling narratives. Mastery of professional services tone.
• Skill at adapting global content for local relevance and market impact.
• Ability to operate effectively across diverse markets, cultures, and legal environments.
• Experience collaborating with colleagues in the Americas and Asia. Multilingual capability preferred.
• Comfort advising partners, senior executives, and regional leaders on communication strategy, reputation matters, and market positioning.
• Proficiency with media monitoring, measurement tools, sentiment analysis, and KPI frameworks.
• Ability to translate data into actionable insights and strategic recommendations.
• Knowledge of digital reputation management, social media strategy, online narrative development, and integration of PR with owned and paid digital channels.
• Proven experience building and mentoring high-performing teams across multiple locations and managing regional PR agencies.
• Ability to influence without authority in a matrixed global environment.
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential and complex information with sensitivity; ability to navigate a partnership culture with tact, credibility, and professionalism.

Experience:

• 15+ years in PR/Media, with at least 7 years in a communications leadership role. Experience in a legal, professional services, or B2B environment is strongly preferred.

Gibson Dunn will consider for employment qualified Applicants with Criminal Histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of local law.

Gibson Dunn is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities. We strive to ensure an inclusive and accessible hiring experience. The Firm will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable participation in the application and recruitment process, unless doing so would impose an undue hardship, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, participate in an interview, or otherwise take part in the recruitment process, please contact us at recruiting-accommodations@gibsondunn.com. Please note, this is a dedicated email inbox established exclusively to assist applicants with accommodation request related to the recruitment process. Inquiries about the status of an application or other non-accommodation matter will not receive a response.