Communications Manager: Media & Storytelling (Hybrid)

DLA Piper LLP; Washington, Baltimore (District of Columbia, MD); Hybrid; USD 113,000 - 179,000; Full time

Job summary

DLA Piper is seeking a Communications Manager to lead the firm’s external communications and public relations. You will work with lawyers, Communications and Marketing colleagues, and external PR agencies to identify newsworthy opportunities and craft compelling messages that showcase the firm’s expertise across practices and markets.

You will develop media pitches, press releases, talking points, and briefing materials; prep lawyers for interviews; monitor coverage; and coordinate with internal

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in public relations, marketing, communication, journalism or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in marketing, public relations or similar field.
• Experience in a law firm, professional services organization, PR agency, or similarly complex environment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develops and executes proactive media relations initiatives that raise the visibility of the firm’s lawyers and practices, including promoting thought leadership, client matters, legal and business developments, and other newsworthy activity.
• Identifies timely media opportunities and develops story angles and pitches that connect the firm’s lawyers and capabilities with relevant legal, business, regulatory, and industry developments.
• Builds and maintains relationships with journalists across legal, business, national, regional, and industry media and conducts targeted outreach on behalf of the firm and its lawyers.
• Drafts and edits media pitches, press releases, talking points, briefing materials, website news items, and other external communications, ensuring content is clear, compelling, accurate, and aligned with firm messaging.
• Works directly with lawyers to develop media opportunities and prepare for interviews, including developing key messages and briefing materials and supporting media training.
• Evaluates incoming media inquiries and coordinates responses, working with lawyers and Communications colleagues to identify appropriate spokespeople, gather relevant information, and help ensure timely and effective engagement.
• Monitors media coverage, legal and business developments, and emerging issues to identify opportunities relevant to the firm, its lawyers, and clients.
• Promotes significant deals, disputes, and other client matters, working with lawyers and internal stakeholders to identify opportunities and develop appropriate external communications.
• Works with external PR agencies on media outreach and communications initiatives, coordinating activities and helping ensure execution aligns with firm priorities.
• Collaborates with Communications, Marketing, Business Development, Digital, and other teams to support coordinated communications initiatives across practices, sectors, and markets.
• Manages multiple communications initiatives and deadlines simultaneously, maintaining strong attention to detail and coordinating with stakeholders throughout the process.
• Contributes to special projects and other communications initiatives as needed.

Skills

Writing skills

Media relations

Editorial judgment

Relationship building

Verbal communication

Project management

Collaboration

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in public relations, marketing, communication, journalism or related field

Job description

DLA Piper is seeking a Communications Manager to lead the firm’s external communications and public relations. You will work with lawyers, Communications and Marketing colleagues, and external PR agencies to identify newsworthy opportunities and craft compelling messages that showcase the firm’s expertise across practices and markets.

You will develop media pitches, press releases, talking points, and briefing materials; prep lawyers for interviews; monitor coverage; and coordinate with internal