Associate Director of Communications

Overview

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Cooley is seeking an Associate Director to join the Communications team.

Position summary:

Working closely with the Director of Communications, communications team, other functional and administrative leads and firm leadership, the Associate Director of Communications will help to promote, enhance and safeguard the firm’s reputation and positioning through the design and implementation of strategic, integrated external and internal communications programs.

External Communications

• Manage a firmwide team of in-house and outside PR professionals responsible for cultivating, building, and maintaining Cooley’s relationships with key media contacts
• Work closely with firm and practice group leadership to devise and implement strategies for raising brand visibility in key markets and promoting the differentiating strengths of the firm and its practice groups, offices, and individual attorneys, aligned with business goals
• Firm spokesperson and point of contact for press inquiries
• Provide crisis counseling, media training, and guidance to firm representatives
• Work with the PR team to develop key messages and anticipated Q&As from the media
• Write or edit press materials (talking points, pitches, press releases, etc.), as well as certain other firm communications
• Lead implementation of proactive external communications strategies and campaigns positioning Cooley’s attorneys as thought leaders, and utilizing a comprehensive range of tactics, including traditional earned media, social media, and content promotion
• Oversee the firm’s awards and recognitions programs, including advising on strategy, process and the development of priority firm submissions
• Help to develop and maintain team reporting, policies, protocols and materials

Internal Communications

• Support the internal communications team and firm leaders in developing impactful written, in-person and multimedia communications aimed at increasing engagement and connection among Cooley’s attorneys and business professionals globally

Other Responsibilities

• Serve as direct supervisor and mentor to direct reports
• Provide day-to-day supervision of direct reports, ensure compliance with assigned work hours and monitor for compliance with all firm and department policies
• Support business professional development and continued educational opportunities
• In collaboration with immediate supervisor and HR, participate in hiring, performance appraisals, counseling, termination and other employee lifecycle events
• All other duties as assigned or required

Skills and experience

Required:

• After orientation at Cooley LLP, exhibit proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite, iManage and other firm applications
• Ability to work extended and/or weekend hours, as required
• Ability to travel, as required
• 8+ direct years of experience (e.g., communications, public relations experience with B2B clients and at a management level)
• Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Communications, Marketing, Business or related field
• Track record of performing elevated responsibilities within the current role providing intrinsic leadership & strategic direction to team
• Seasoned experience in managing teams, hiring, training, assigning work, managing performance, and providing performance counseling and coaching
• Ability to translate complex legal and business concepts into plain English
• Strong working knowledge of and contacts within national print, broadcast and online media. Strong handle on financial markets and business concepts and related subject matter
• Experience with crisis and issues management communications
• Understanding of digital marketing, social media strategies, and content creation best practices

Preferred:

• Experience working in a law firm, professional services, PR agency environment, and/or in government service/political realms
• Supervisory experience

Competencies

• Strong executive presence and ability to build credibility and trust with partners on strategy and execution of communications objectives
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
• Exceptional writing skills and strong attention…