Media Relations & Communications Manager

For the New York Office of a Global Law Firm
This is a filled position.

Responsibilities include:

• Work with the Global Director of Communications to create media strategies that reflect the Firm's brand and positioning, disseminate key messages and achieve the media coverage goals of the Firm and practice groups;
• Act as point of contact to and routinely meet with members of the press to establish and maintain key working relationships;
• Actively generate and seek story ideas and pitch to local and national legal, general business and trade press; investigate story angles to improve newsworthiness of routine Firm developments (e.g., office opening, big win, new partners);
• Advise lawyers and other personnel on press response techniques;
• Write press releases, pitch letters and other publicity copy;
• Add new content to the Firm website, particularly in the news section, and tag it to relevant practices, industries, regions and professionals.

Qualifications include:

• Bachelor's degree with an emphasis on communications, journalism, public relations or English; 7+ years of relevant experience;
• Significant media contacts, preferably in the legal industry and with mainstream and electronic New York-based press;
• Superior oral and written communication skills; knowledge of AP Style and the ability to learn and apply the Firm's writing style guide;
• Proven ability to deal with complex subject matter;
• Team player with excellent interpersonal skills.