External Communications Lead - Americas

Cliffordchance; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Clifford Chance US LLP seeks an External Communications Lead to shape and execute proactive PR strategies that raise the firm’s profile in the US and Latin America. This senior role partners with leaders across the Americas to elevate the firm’s reputation through strategic storytelling.

As a senior member of the Brand, Communications & Public Affairs team, you’ll collaborate with partners and business leaders, manage agencies, and translate complex legal issues into compelling narratives for

Qualifications

• 8+ years in B2B public relations, including work for AmLaw 100 firms.
• Strong media relations judgment to shape narratives and opportunities.
• Ability to develop external communications strategies aligned with business priorities.
• Deep understanding of the US legal media landscape and reporters.
• Exceptional writing, editing and message development skills.
• Excellent news judgment for distinguishing newsworthy activity.
• Strategic advisory capability to counsel partners/senior stakeholders.
• Collaborative style with global teams and external agencies.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute proactive PR strategies to elevate leadership and growth priorities.
• Drive earned media across practice areas, partners, and sectors.
• Translate complex legal themes into clear narratives for business media.
• Build and maintain relationships with top-tier national and vertical reporters.
• Prepare partners with messaging and media prep materials.
• Identify media opportunities and whitespace to support firm priorities.
• Coordinate with social, digital, and content teams to amplify earned media.
• Align messaging with business development and marketing for consistency.
• Manage crisis communications in coordination with BC&PA leadership.
• Oversee media monitoring, reporting, and agency performance.

Skills

B2B PR

Media relations

External comm strategies

AmLaw 100 experience

US legal media

Executive messaging

News & crisis advisory

Writing & editing

Job description

The role

Clifford Chance US LLP has an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to help develop and execute the firm's external communications strategy in the Americas market. Our US and Latin America markets are central to the firm's global strategy, and this position plays a central role in distinguishing us in the US market. As a senior member of the Americas' Brand, Communications & Public Affairs team, the External Communications Lead, Americas, is responsible for executing proactive, high-impact public relations strategies that reinforce Clifford Chance's brand and reputation as the premiere global law firm.

This senior-level role will be reporting to the Head of Brand, Communications and Public Affairs (BC&PA), Americas. This role will work closely with partners, lawyers and business professional leaders across the Americas, collaborate with global teams, and engage with external suppliers and agencies. This role can be based in either our New York or Washington DC offices.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute proactive public relations strategies that elevate the region's leadership, subject matter expertise and growth priorities.
• Drive earned media focused on practice area successes, lateral partner and lawyer growth, milestones and thought leadership across priority sectors and themes.
• Translate complex legal and regulatory themes into clear, compelling narratives for business, legal and vertical industry media.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with top-tier national, legal and vertical trade reporters, as well as international contacts where appropriate.
• Prepare partners and senior leaders with messaging, briefing materials and media prep/training.
• Identify media trends and white-space opportunities that reinforce Clifford Chance's business priorities, position and reputation in the America's legal industry.
• Collaborate closely with social, digital and content colleagues to ensure earned media is amplified through social, owned and paid channels.
• Partner with business development and marketing teams to align messaging, timing and narrative consistency.
• Proactively identify, assess, and communicate potential areas of risk to protect the reputation of the firm.
• Provide issues and crisis communications support as needed, in coordination with Head of BC&PA, Americas.
• Manage the region's media monitoring/reporting and media database to ensure PR performance inform strategy and is effectively measured and communicated to senior stakeholders.
• Manage external agencies and partners to ensure high-quality execution and accountability.

Your experience

Personal competencies

• Professional, personable and mature, with the ability to work appropriately with people at all levels of the organization, including senior executives. Able to foster, enhance and contribute to the team environment.
• Equally adept and comfortable working at both a strategic and tactical level.
• Proven skilled communicator, able to convince and articulate verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrate strong collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a global team. .
• Stay informed on current events, news and business trends, and commercially aware.
• Effectively manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously, consistently meeting deadlines while delivering work to the highest professional standards.
• Adept at calmly handling urgent situations as they arise, with the flexibility to adapt to fast-changing dynamics.
• Maintain an approachable, responsive, and client-focused attitude in all interactions.

Professional skills

• 8+ year's experience in B2B public relations, with at least four years' experience working in or on behalf of AmLaw 100 law firms.
• Strong media relations judgment, with the ability to identify, shape and execute opportunities that support business priorities, build reputation and strengthen market visibility.
• Proven ability to develop and execute external communications strategies for AmLaw 100 law firms, including partner visibility, practice/sector positioning, lateral partner announcements, deal/matter promotion and issues management.
• Strong understanding of the US legal media landscape, including relationships with reporters and editors covering Big Law, disputes, transactions, regulatory issues, lateral hiring, firm strategy and the business of law.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills, with the ability to produce high-quality press releases, media pitches, statements, talking points, Q&A documents, briefing materials and partner messaging with precision and sound judgment.
• Excellent news judgment, including the ability to distinguish between activity that is genuinely newsworthy and activity that may be better suited for other channels.
• Strategic advisory skills, with the confidence to counsel partners and senior stakeholders on media opportunities, reputational considerations, message discipline and realistic outcomes.
• Ability to connect external comm