At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead media relations and develop communication strategies for a global law firm.
- Company: Dynamic international law firm with a focus on innovative communications.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and opportunities to work internationally.
- Other info: Exciting role with potential for career growth in a global setting.
- Why this job: Shape the firm's public image and collaborate with top legal professionals.
- Qualifications: Experience in media relations and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
The International Communications Manager reports to the Director of Communications and works closely with the Associate Director of International Operations and Business Development in London through a dotted-line relationship to help coordinate various communication and business development initiatives. The International Communications Manager needs to be a savvy, driven professional who can proactively identify promotional opportunities for the firm and will provide leadership and guidance in helping to develop a communications and public relations strategy to support lawyers in the firm’s London, Dubai, Dublin and Brussels offices.
The professional also needs to be outgoing, someone who enjoys collaborating with lawyers, the firm’s global Communications team, and media professionals to craft and execute on messaging strategies.
Primary Responsibilities:- Help further an integrated communications and public relations strategy that seeks high-level placements in a variety of media outlets and helps protect, build and enhance the firm’s departments.
- Develop a thorough understanding of all of the firm’s practice areas, clients and communications needs.
- Position the firm and attorneys in the media as thought leaders within the legal trade, industry media, business/financial press, including hosting press meetings and similar events.
- Work closely and collaboratively to develop strong relationships with the local partners and the local operations team, including HR/Talent, to ensure the key brand messages are incorporated into recruiting materials, internal communications and media-related activities.
- Manage and develop media relationships, maintain media contact lists, including editors and reporters.
- Field inquiries from outside media and coordinate with firm attorneys on responses and interviews.
- Proactively research, identify and secure media opportunities for attorneys and practice groups.
- Research and draft attorney talking points for media interviews and participate in attorney media training as needed.
- Develop and sustain good relationships with key trade, national, international and legal journalists.
- Work with the lawyers to identify emerging trends and legal issues to capitalise on and suggest interactive and effective ways for lawyers to engage.
- Collaborate closely with the London Business Development team to support and maximise distribution of relevant content and work to increase thought leadership capabilities and presence in the media by partnering with attorneys to pitch and prepare new and thought-provoking articles related to the firm’s practices and clients.
- Work across the firm’s U.S.-based communications and digital teams to further develop our international content strategy, including relevant themes, third party placements, and paid content strategy.
- Help identify, draft, edit and otherwise participate in awards and directory submissions for the firm, practices and attorneys, as needed.
- Write, prepare, and place firm announcements, press releases, and other external marketing and advertising copy, as needed.
- Assist with firmwide crisis communications and internal executive communications.
- Serve as a liaison and provide oversight to the firm’s outside public relations agency.
- Work closely with the International Practice Director in London to identify opportunities for communicating news and insights and to take the lead on drafting internal emails and communications.
- Work closely with the Director of Internal Communications to ensure a consistent message and narrative exists across the firm in written communications.
- Work with HR/Talent and London Associates to develop and to act as editor of the London office’s fortnightly newsletter.
- Measure and report on communication activities with the team to determine how the firm's reputation is reaching target audiences.
- Provide day-to-day management and guidance to Business Development, HR/Talent and office leadership ensuring that activities are in line with the overall culture and strategy.
- Encourage local partners to raise their personal profiles through the use of LinkedIn; offer best practice tips and guidance as needed.
- Support the U.S.-based Communications team with tactical responsibilities such as web content management and social content sharing as needed, due to time zone differences.
Media Relations Manager employer: Vinson & Elkins LLP
As a Media Relations Manager at our firm, you will thrive in a dynamic and collaborative environment that values innovative communication strategies and professional growth. Our London office fosters a culture of teamwork and creativity, offering ample opportunities for career advancement while working alongside industry leaders and talented professionals. With a commitment to excellence and a focus on building strong media relationships, we empower our employees to make a meaningful impact in the legal sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Media Relations Manager
✨Get Involved in PR Events
Dive into local PR meetups and workshops. Events like these are perfect for getting your face out there, chatting with industry pros, and spotting potential job openings at companies like Vinson & Elkins LLP. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to learn about trends and make lasting connections.
✨Showcase Your PR Skills
Start building your personal brand as a PR ace. Use platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn to share your thoughts on current events or PR campaigns you admire. Tagging companies you want to work for, like Vinson & Elkins LLP, can catch their eye—especially if your insights resonate!
✨Leverage Your Network
Reach out to friends, family, or connections in the PR field. Even a casual chat can lead to opportunities. If you've got mutual contacts, ask for introductions when applying. Personal recommendations can give your application a nice little boost!
✨Tailor Your Approach
When applying for a full-time PR role, make sure to research Vinson & Elkins LLP inside and out. Understanding their campaigns, values, and style allows us to directly align our application and impress during interviews. Don't hesitate to apply through our website—going direct can make a real difference!
We think you need these skills to ace Media Relations Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Get Your Story Straight:In public relations, storytelling is everything! Make sure your CV highlights your experience in crafting compelling narratives and managing media relations. Share specific examples of campaigns you've worked on, and don’t forget to include any press coverage you've generated—it's impressive proof of your skills!
Show Off Your Communication Skills:Since PR is all about communication, we want to see your best writing samples. Include pieces like press releases, blog posts, or social media content that you've created. This gives us a taste of your voice and your ability to convey messages clearly and effectively, which is crucial for a role in this field.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a recap of your CV; it’s your chance to shine! Emphasise why PR excites you and how your background fits with the mission of Vinson & Elkins LLP. Show us that you’ve done your homework and speak to why you’re passionate about the work we do.
Connect the Dots:When you’re writing your application, think about how your past experiences link to the responsibilities of the role. Mention any internships, volunteer work, or projects that involved public speaking, event planning, or strategic communication. This will help us see how you can seamlessly bring your skills into a full-time position at Vinson & Elkins LLP.
How to prepare for a job interview at Vinson & Elkins LLP
✨Master the Art of Storytelling
In public relations, storytelling is key. We should prepare compelling narratives about past campaigns or projects we’ve worked on. Think about how we can illustrate our impact and creativity in those stories—be ready to discuss specific examples that showcase our skills in managing media relationships and crafting messages.
✨Know Your PR Tools Inside Out
Familiarity with PR tools like Cision or Meltwater is crucial. We need to be able to discuss how we’ve used these tools in past roles or projects. If we've worked on media lists, press releases, or analytics reports, let’s have those experiences ready to share along with metrics we’ve achieved to back up our claims.
✨Stay Current with Industry Trends
We’ve got to stay sharp on the latest trends and events impacting the public relations field. Having a few insights ready about recent campaigns or shifts in media landscapes can show that we’re engaged and knowledgeable. This will also help us make connections between our experiences and the current state of the industry.
✨Showcase Our Versatility
As full-time PR professionals, we need to demonstrate our adaptability. Be ready to talk about how we've handled challenging situations, managed crises, or adapted strategies on the fly. Employers will appreciate our ability to pivot and find solutions under pressure, so let’s have those scenarios at our fingertips to discuss.
