Director, Integrated Communications

Seyfarth Shaw LLP; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 210,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision insurance

Paid time off

401(k)

Job summary

Seyfarth Shaw LLP seeks a Director, Integrated Communications in Chicago to shape and execute internal and external communications. Reporting to the Senior Director of Marketing & Communications Operations, you will align messaging, brand voice, and content across channels while leading a PR team and coordinating with senior leaders.

You will set strategic direction for media relations, social media, intranet content, and executive communications, driving cohesion, thought leadership, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field required.
• MBA, MA in Communications, or equivalent preferred.
• Minimum 10 years in communications with 3–5 years in a leadership role.
• Experience in professional services, legal, or similarly complex organizations preferred.
• Track record of integrated, multi‑channel communications strategies in a matrix organization.

Responsibilities

• Shape and execute integrated communications strategies across internal and external channels.
• Lead a PR team and manage media relations, outreach, and day‑to‑day execution.
• Oversee internal communications, intranet content, and executive messaging.
• Collaborate with senior leaders and cross‑functional teams to align messages and priorities.
• Define and drive social media, content, and digital strategy to support business objectives.

Skills

Leadership

Media relations

Crisis communications

Social media strategy

Content analytics

Project management

Stakeholder management

Editorial excellence

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications/PR/Journalism/Marketing

MBA or equivalent advanced degree preferred

Tools

Analytics platforms

PR/digital media tools

Job description

Why Seyfarth

At Seyfarth, we understand that great people are the key to our success, and we provide the opportunities to match. If you join us, you’ll work with state‑of‑the‑art technology in a friendly and professional environment, and we will continue to invest in your professional development. If you want the freedom to grow at a firm that is invested in your future, keep reading.

The Opportunity

The Director, Integrated Communications is a senior leadership role that will be pivotal in shaping and executing the firm's internal and external communication strategies. Reporting directly to the Senior Director of Marketing & Communications Operations, this role serves as a strategic right hand in advancing both firm‑level and department‑level communications objectives, and acting as a central integrator across messaging, channels, and stakeholders. The ideal candidate is a seasoned communications professional who takes an integrated, content‑forward approach—ensuring consistency of voice, message, and brand across every touchpoint, from media relations and social media to internal firm communications.

The Day‑To‑Day

On Any Given Day, You Will

• Serve as a key strategic partner to the Senior Director of Marketing & Communications Operations in shaping and executing integrated, firm-wide communications strategies.
• Champion an enterprise and integrated approach to communications and content, ensuring alignment, consistency, and cohesion across internal and external channels.
• Define and lead the firm’s public relations strategy, setting priorities and ensuring alignment with firm objectives, target markets, and industry positioning.
• Lead and develop a high‑performing PR team (Associate Director, Senior Manager, and Coordinator), establishing clear roles, priorities, and accountability for media relations, proactive outreach, and day‑to‑day execution.
• Oversee and optimize relationships with external PR agencies, ensuring alignment on strategy, effective use of resources, and measurable impact on firm visibility and reputation.
• Own the firm’s internal communications strategy and intranet platform, overseeing firm-wide announcements, leadership messaging, intranet content, and employee engagement initiatives.
• Partner with firm leadership — including the Chair and Senior Director — to ensure internal messaging reflects organizational priorities, reinforces firm culture and values, and supports key business initiatives.
• Lead the planning, coordination, and prioritization of internal communications across the firm, ensuring alignment across stakeholders, minimizing noise, and delivering clear, timely, and impactful messaging.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with the Office of the General Counsel, the Office of Inclusion and Diversity, Business Development, Practice Development, Recruiting and Attorney Development, HR, and other business and operational teams to ensure communications are strategically aligned and well‑coordinated.
• Set the strategic direction for the firm's social media presence across all platforms, empowering the Social Media Manager to execute on content development, editorial calendars, engagement, and analytics.
• Partner with the Social Media Manager to shape and align integrated digital content strategies that support firm priorities, campaign objectives, brand visibility, and business development, recruiting, and thought leadership goals.
• Oversee online reputation and digital channel performance, ensuring proactive identification of opportunities, emerging trends, and potential risks.
• Lead an enterprise content strategy that ensures a unified, on‑brand voice across all communications — internal and external, digital and traditional.

You Have

• A Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field required.
• An advanced degree (MBA, MA in Communications, or equivalent) preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in communications, public relations, or a related field, with at least 3‑5 years in a leadership role.
• Experience in a professional services, legal, or similarly complex organizational environment strongly preferred.
• A proven track record of developing and executing integrated, multi‑channel communications strategies in a complex, matrixed organization — preferably in a professional services or legal environment.
• Exceptional written and verbal communications skills, with a sharp editorial eye and meticulous attention to detail.
• A strategic and analytical thought process with the ability to anticipate evolving needs, solve problems proactively, and operate effectively under pressure.
• Demonstrated experience in media relations, PR strategy, and crisis communications.
• Deep expertise in social media strategy, digital communications, and content analytics platforms.
• Strong leadership and team management capabilities, with the ability to inspire, develop, and hold accountable a high‑performing communications team.
• Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships with senior leaders, attorneys, and cross‑functional stakeholders at all levels.
• A high degree of professionalism with the ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion.
• A resourceful, collaborative, and solutions‑oriented approach with a "whatever it takes" mindset to drive team and firm success.
• Proficiency in relevant communications, project management, and analytics tools.

What We Provide

Seyfarth provides competitive salary and benefits at all levels, and our culture embraces the entrepreneurial spirit of its professionals like no other firm. Our professional staff are a collaborative team, helping to define the unique client experience offered by the firm. We understand that it takes more than attorneys to build a successful legal practice; everyone participates in our commitment to excellence.

More About Seyfarth

With approximately 1,000 lawyers across 17 offices, Seyfarth Shaw LLP provides advisory, litigation, and transactional legal services to clients worldwide. Learn more about The Seyfarth Experience at www.seyfarth.com/careers/.

Seyfarth Shaw is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law.

If you would like more information about your EEO rights as an applicant under the law, please click EEO is the LAW and the Supplement poster through the following link: https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/employers/poster_screen_reader_optimized.pdf

Location Specific Language

Chicago: The full time salary range for this role is $210,000 to $250,000 annually, which is based on a 40 hour work week.

New York: The full time salary range for this role is $225,000 to $265,000 annually, which is based on a 40 hour work week.

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role in the locations listed above at the time of this posting. An employee’s pay within the salary range will be based on numerous factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, experience, skills, geographical location and business or organizational needs. This job is also eligible for an annual merit increase and bonus pay.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k).

This position is based in Chicago, IL 60606

This position is based in New York, NY 10018