Associate Director of External Communications (Litigation)

Cooley LLP; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 200,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Health savings account

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Flexible spending accounts

Life insurance

AD&D

Long-term care coverage

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Parental leave

Fertility benefits

Job summary

Cooley LLP is seeking an Associate Director of External Communications for Litigation to join our Communications team. The role leads proactive media relations and thought leadership to position Cooley’s litigation capabilities at the forefront of technology and business developments.

The role involves developing strategies with department leadership, mentoring staff, and shaping a high-impact external visibility program across industries.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in English, Journalism, Communications, Marketing, Business or related field.
• 8+ years' direct experience in communications with 4+ years in management.
• Experience leading media relations, crisis communications and reputation management.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of communications professionals (in-house and agency) for media relations.
• Develop communications strategies with firm leadership to support business priorities and markets.
• Oversee awards and recognitions programs for the department.
• Write and edit press materials, pitches, talking points and statements.
• Develop reporting, policies and resources for a coordinated external communications function.
• Shape stories around the department, clients and lawyers across industries driving the innovation economy.
• Lead external campaigns positioning litigation lawyers as authoritative voices through earned media and content.
• Serve as spokesperson and primary media contact.
• Advise leaders on media strategy and crisis communications; provide training.

Skills

Executive leadership

Written & verbal communication

Storytelling & writing

Team leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Crisis & issues management

Deadline-driven

Relationship building

Strategic media relations

Digital & content strategy

Education

Bachelor's degree in English/Journalism/Communications/Marketing/Business

Tools

Microsoft Office

iManage

Job description

Cooley is seeking an Associate Director of External Communications for Litigation to join the Communications team.

Position summary:

Working closely with the Director of Communications, firm leadership, the broader communications team and other business functions, the Associate Director of External Communications - Litigation will help shape and execute strategic external communications programs that enhance, differentiate and protect the department's and Cooley's reputation. The role will lead proactive media relations and reputation-building efforts across the department, helping to bring Cooley's perspective and client work to the forefront of the business, technology and legal developments shaping the innovation economy. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Position responsibilities:

• Lead and manage a team of in-house and agency communications professionals responsible for building and maintaining relationships with influential media
• Work closely with the Department Chair and litigation practice leadership to develop communications strategies that support business priorities, strengthen Cooley's position in key markets and highlight the distinctive capabilities of the firm, its practices and lawyers
• Oversee the strategic direction of the awards and recognitions program for the department, including prioritization, processes and the development of key submissions
• Write and edit press releases, media pitches, talking points, statements and other firm communications
• Develop and maintain reporting, policies, protocols and resources that support a coordinated and effective external communications function
• Identify and shape compelling stories around the department, its clients and its lawyers, particularly across the industries and issues driving the innovation economy
• Lead proactive external communications campaigns that position Cooley litigation lawyers as authoritative voices through earned media, social media, thought leadership and content promotion
• Serve as a spokesperson and primary point of contact for media inquiries
• Advise firm leaders and lawyers on media strategy, reputation management and sensitive or high-profile matters
• Provide crisis communications counsel, media training and interview preparation
• Develop messaging, media strategies, anticipated questions and responses, and other communications materials

Team leadership and management:

• Serve as 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
• Perform 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
• Minimum 8 years' direct experience (e.g., communications, public relations experience with B2B clients and at a management level) with 4+ years' management experience (some at the senior level preferred)
• Bachelor's degree preferably in English, Journalism, Communications, Marketing, Business or related field
• Experience operating at a level beyond current role expectations, providing strategic leadership, influencing key decisions, and guiding team direction
• Experience leading people and teams, including hiring, employee development, work assignment, performance management, coaching and corrective counseling
• 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
• 10+ years applicable experience strongly preferred

Competencies:

• Strong executive presence and ability to build credibility and trust with partners on strategy and execution of communications objectives
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Exceptional writing skills and strong attention to detail
• Ability to lead others in developing and executing on initiatives and large-scale projects
• Ability to motivate others and build effective and cooperative work teams
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to negotiate challenging situations and grasp internal politics
• Judicious, fast-thinking and able to excel in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to consistently meet deadlines, including self-set and multi-tasked
• Ability to develop professional relationships both internally (with department members, lawyers and firm business professionals) and externally (with industry/regional associations, etc.)
• Ability to simplify complex legal and business information into clear, accessible communication

Cooley offers a competitive compensation and excellent benefits package and is committed to fair and equitable employment practices.

EOE.

The expected annual pay range for this position with a full-time schedule is $200,000 - $240,000. Please note that final offer amount will be dependent on geographic location, applicable experience and skillset of the candidate.

• We offer a full range of elective benefits including medical, health savings account (with applicable medical plan), dental, vision, health and/or dependent care flexible spending accounts, pre-tax commuter benefits, life insurance, AD&D, long-term care coverage, backup care for children and/or adults and other parental support benefits.
• In addition to elective benefit options, benefited employees receive firm-paid life insurance, AD&D, LTD, short term medical benefits as well as 25 days of Paid Time Off ("PTO") and 10 paid holidays each year. We provide generous parental leave and fertility benefits. New employees will attend a detailed benefit orientation to learn more about our many benefits and resources.