Sernior Manager, Public Relations & Communications

K&L Gates; Sydney; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

K&L Gates in Sydney seeks Senior Manager, Public Relations & Communications APAC to lead the firm's media and public relations strategy across Asia Pacific, working with senior leaders, lawyers and marketing professionals to enhance market profile and protect reputation.

You will develop strategic media initiatives, oversee media relations, thought leadership, crisis communications, and executive profiling, reporting to Marketing Director and partnering with regional teams to shape external

Qualifications

• Bachelor-level degree in Public Relations, Communications or Journalism.
• 8–10+ years of PR, media relations, or corporate communications experience.
• Experience in professional services, government, or corporate settings.
• Law firm experience is highly regarded.
• Crisis communications and reputational issue management experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute APAC media relations strategies across the region.
• Advise firm leadership on media engagement and positioning.
• Manage crisis communications and reputational issues.
• Align external messaging with global brand and strategy.
• Monitor media coverage and report findings.

Skills

Media relations

Crisis communications

Executive engagement

Strategic communications

Reputation management

Thought leadership

Stakeholder management

Public relations strategy

Media monitoring

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Public Relations, Communications, or Journalism

Tools

Cision

Meltwater

LexisNexis

Microsoft Office

Job description

DISCOVER more opportunities to DEVELOP your talents and THRIVE in a dynamic legal landscape.

Are you a strategic communications professional with a passion for media relations, reputation management, and executive engagement?

K&L Gates are currently seeking a Senior Manager, Public Relations & Communications APAC to lead and execute our media and public relations strategy across the Asia Pacific region. This is a high-profile role that partners closely with senior leaders, lawyers, and marketing professionals across our global network to enhance the firm's market profile, protect its reputation, and drive strategic communications initiatives.

Reporting to the Director of Marketing, with a dotted line to regional client growth leadership, you will serve as the firm's PR lead in APAC while collaborating closely with colleagues across EMEA and the global communications team.

About the Role

As the senior public relations leader in APAC, you will develop and implement strategic media initiatives that support the firm's business objectives, practices, and lawyers. You'll oversee a broad range of communications activities, including media relations, thought leadership promotion, executive profiling, crisis communications, and reputation management.

This role offers the opportunity to work directly with senior firm leadership and play a critical role in shaping the firm's external profile across key markets.

Key Responsibilities include

Strategic Media Relations

• Develop and execute proactive media relations strategies across APAC.
• Secure and manage media opportunities, including interviews, press releases, commentary opportunities, and by-lined articles.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists, editors, and key industry media.
• Identify opportunities to enhance the visibility of the firm's lawyers, practices, and thought leadership.

Executive and Leadership Communications

• Advise firm leadership on media engagement, public positioning, and communications strategy.
• Partner with local and regional leaders to develop and implement media strategies.
• Collaborate on media guidance and executive visibility initiatives for the firm's senior leadership.

Reputation and Crisis Management

• Serve as a trusted advisor on media relations and crisis communications.
• Assess and respond to media enquiries and emerging issues.
• Develop and implement communication strategies to manage reputational matters and sensitive issues.
• Provide sound judgement and strategic counsel in fast-moving situations.

Communications and Brand Alignment

• Ensure external messaging aligns with the firm's global brand, positioning, and business strategy.
• Work closely with marketing and business development teams to amplify strategic initiatives.
• Coordinate traditional media activity with social media outreach where appropriate.

Measurement and Stakeholder Management

• Monitor, analyse, and report on firm media coverage.
• Manage relationships with external agencies and communications partners where required.
• Act as a key communications contact for international offices and regional stakeholders.

About You

You are a confident communications professional who thrives in a fast-paced, high-performance environment. You bring strong media instincts, exceptional stakeholder management skills, and the credibility to advise senior executives.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism.
• 8-10+ years' experience in public relations, media relations, or corporate communications.
• Experience within professional services, government, or a corporate environment.
• Law firm experience will be highly regarded.
• Demonstrated experience managing crisis communications and reputational issues.

Skills and Attributes

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong understanding of media landscapes, news values, and journalist requirements.
• Proven ability to influence and advise senior stakeholders.
• Highly developed organisational and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines.
• Strong commercial awareness and strategic thinking capability.
• High levels of professionalism, discretion, and sound judgement.
• Experience working with media monitoring and research platforms such as Cision, Meltwater, LexisNexis, or similar tools.
• Advanced proficiency across Microsoft Office applications and communications technologies.

Why Join Us?

This is a unique opportunity to shape the profile and reputation of a leading global law firm. You'll work alongside talented colleagues around the world, influence strategic business initiatives, and engage with senior leadership on high-impact communications matters.

We offer a collaborative and inclusive culture, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to make a meaningful contribution to the success of our business across the Asia Pacific region.