PR MANAGER

NEW YORK

THE OPPORTUNITY

Primary Objectives

The Public Relations Manager for Herbert Smith Freehills New York LLP ("HSFNY") will have a primary focus on New York – the market, HSFNY's practice areas, and its partners – with a secondary focus on raising the office's profile in the US market more broadly and help to support the firm’s growing global Alternative Legal Services (ALT) practice.

The candidate will primarily manage and drive promoting HSFNY and its partners among the relevant top tier and trade/sector publications covering the New York market. He or she also will work with the firm's broader global public relations team to heighten the firm's New York profile across the US, UK, EMEA, Asia and Australia.

The candidate will work closely with BD colleagues in HSFNY, ALT and other locations across our global network to develop and support profile-raising and promotional activities. He or she will also lead on internal communications for HSFNY and its partners as well as the ALT practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and drive the PR strategy for HSFNY and ALT.
• Devise and implement a PR Plan, linking to the firm's wider strategy, and setting targets and metrics for media coverage for both HSFNY and ALT.
• Build relationships with local, national, and trade press, and implement a media contacts program for individual New York partners and practices, and also members of the ALT team and wider practice.
• Help the New York partners and the ALT leadership team to build and maintain relationships with the press, and prepare them for interviews.
• Identify potential news, topics, and comment opportunities for the New York partners and ALT practice.
• Drive the quantity and quality of media coverage for the firm and the New York office and ALT practice.
• Draft and distribute briefing notes and press releases, set up journalist meetings and briefings, and commission articles (and write/edit articles when required).
• Manage and prepare submissions for awards entries for HSFNY and help support ALT with award entries.
• Act as an ambassador of the firm, and of the communications team, both internally and externally.
• Develop, contribute to, and oversee production of marketing communications materials (relevant to PR activities).
• Work alongside other members of the New York-based BD team to monitor competitor activity and brief senior management on profile raising activities of competitors.
• Produce a report on PR activity for key stakeholders on a regular basis.
• Prepare internal communications, which will be shared via various channels within Herbert Smith Freehills' global network, regarding client work and news pertaining to the New York office and ALT practice.
• Ensure consistent messaging and alignment with the firm's brand in all communications activities.
• Identify appropriate speaking opportunities and other targeted activities to support business development objectives.
• Drive social media in all areas of our external press engagement and ensure that all outbound press efforts are shared via social media.
• Provide expert PR input to the global practice group, sector and strategic marketing plans and support tactical delivery of the related PR actions.

SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum bachelor's degree.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of public relations experience required.
• Law firm experience desirable. PR agency and journalism background a plus.
• Strong project management skills and ability to deliver within tight deadlines.
• Experience in managing content development for thought leadership campaigns.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Proactive, initiative taker and self-starter.
• Strong personal presence, able to represent the firm externally before a range of audiences, including media.
• Able to confidently influence decisions and work well within a team environment.
• Gravitas and professional credibility.

Competencies:Personal Leadership

• Energizes those around them, simplifies complexity and makes quality decisions.
• Brings perspective and a constructive approach to high pressure situations and directs attention to solution.
• Makes sound commercial decisions based on a clear understanding of the business.
• Acts decisively even on the basis of incomplete information.

Collaborates with others

• Develops innovative solutions by valuing diversity of thought, expertise and experience.
• Brings a positive energy to the way they work and inspires this in others.
• Draws on internal networks to bring people with the right skills and expertise together to develop solutions.

Builds High Performing Teams

• Builds highly engaged teams that are diverse and inclusive and can excel in a range of situations.
• Creates an environment that encourages personal accountability, and builds the confidence of others by highlighting their strengths and achievements.

Focuses on Clients

• Always acts with the firm’s clients in mind.
• Prioritizes initiatives that will positively impact the client experience and their business.
• Develops solutions that balance client needs and the sustainable profitability of the firm.
• Takes active steps to cultivate and maintain an excellent reputation in the market.

Innovates

• Leads and influences change.
• Seeks out market trends and introduces relevant ideas for competitive advantage.
• Envisions ways for the firm to differentiate itself and is driven to achieve this.

Achieves results

• Maintains focus and drive to achieve quality outcomes.
• Anticipates responses and plans their approach accordingly.
• Makes things happen in a complex environment.
• Remains focused on long term objectives and broad firm issues.
• Maintains perspective and optimism when faced with setbacks.

GROUP / TEAM

Corporate Services

GROUP / TEAM DESCRIPTION

Our Corporate services group is comprised of a number of teams from the firm's central management functions, which support key activities both within the firm and in the external market. They coordinate common initiatives, improve communication and drive greater efficiency across our operations. These teams are Legal Operations, Management Services, Pro bono and citizenship, Internal/external communications and the Programme Management Office (PMO).

Legal operations

In response to the needs of clients, we have combined specialist skills that provide a range of critical business support services for our clients and their in-house lawyers, notably legal project management, pricing, research, innovation and contract automation services. This single integrated team, called Legal Operations, is a ‘single place’ where our clients and partners can go to access these services. As well as aligning to the needs of our clients, we aim to provide clients with greater certainty on commercial outcomes in matters (price, budget) and greater efficiency in delivery (time, cost and scope). Additionally, we bring innovation, automation and process improvement in our service to clients, both to drive efficiency and build opportunities to transform the client's business and operating environment. Our goal is to make Legal Operations easy to access for our clients and partners, give them a consistently positive experience, and provide exceptional service that meets and anticipates their needs.

Management services

This team is formed of a number of partners and consultants who provide leadership in developing our management and strategic direction, and in spearheading key strategic initiatives. Within this team, you’ll be supported by our strategy and planning team, which provides analysis to inform decision-making, develop business plans and project manage agreed initiatives and strategic reviews.

Pro bono and citizenship

Within this team, you’ll focus on:

• providing pro bono legal services to members of the public through legal and community centres, and sponsoring legal clinics in association with law faculties
• sustainable development, working with non-governmental organisations, supporting rule of law initiatives, and training on behalf of local bar associations in African and South East Asian countries
• building community through financial and in-kind support to community partners with a focus on those organisations that promote access to justice and opportunity; and
• reducing environmental impact, including targets for reducing energy and carbon, food waste, recycling and encouraging more environmentally friendly travel options

Internal/external communications

These teams are responsible globally for advising on and supporting our communications activities in all media, both internally and externally, and including the development of our communications strategy and new communications initiatives.

Programme Management Office (PMO)

The PMO manages an extensive portfolio of global firm-wide projects, including new systems and major transformation programmes. Services offered include programme/project management, change management and business analysis.

ROLE TYPE

Business Services

CONTRACT TYPE

Permanent

WORKING PATTERN

Full Time

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

At Herbert Smith Freehills you will be part of a diverse, innovative culture where high performance, client focus and highly engaged people are our differentiator. People at our firm come from a range of backgrounds and bring a wide variety of experiences and perspectives to their work with us. We strive to ensure that our inclusive environment means you feel valued and able to perform at your best by being your authentic self at work. We know that our future success not only depends on being innovative and progressive in the changing legal market but, most importantly, on our people feeling highly engaged in meaningful work.

We understand that you have commitments and personal interests outside of work and we strive to create a working environment based on mutual trust and respect, in which you can perform at your best whilst maintaining sustainable balance across your life.

Herbert Smith Freehills