External Communications Manager

McDermott Will & Schulte; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 138,000 - 194,000; Full time

Job summary

McDermott Will & Schulte is seeking an External Communications Manager to drive the firm’s PR strategy, identify opportunities, pitch stories, and place coverage aligned with firm priorities within a global marketing team.

You will draft press materials, coordinate media interviews, monitor industry trends, and track KPIs to inform plans. The ideal candidate has five+ years in public relations, strong written and verbal skills, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; minimum five years in PR or communications.
• Ability to build strong media relationships in key sectors.
• Experience with news distribution, media monitoring and tracking software.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain relationships with priority media outlets.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to implement strategic communication programs.
• Identify media opportunities and lead topic generation.
• Pitch and place profile-raising coverage.
• Draft press releases and client communications.
• Coordinate media requests and interview prep.
• Track KPIs and report media metrics.

Skills

Media relations

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Deadline management

Confidentiality

Independent work

Travel flexibility

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

Salesforce

News distribution software

Media monitoring software

Job description

Build your big career with the firm that does Big Law, Better. McDermott Will & Schulte is a leading global law firm that brings together more than 1,700+ lawyers and 1,400 business professionals. We celebrate excellence, collaboration, and community and have been recognized as a top workplace by USA Today, Fortune, The American Lawyer, Vault and others. We are also certified by Great Place to Work.

At McDermott, we don’t just invest in your future, we accelerate your career – wherever it may lead. That includes supporting you both in and outside of the office.

With Us, You’ll Find

• A firm where everyone belongs: Our award-winning culture prioritizes warmth and authenticity - we encourage you to be yourself!
• Enthusiasm for all perspectives: We’re smarter and stronger when everyone has a voice and a seat at the table. We welcome unique viewpoints and ideas, and we make opportunities for you and your career to thrive.
• Support to feel your best and do your best: Wellness is integral to building a successful career and a rich life. That’s why our benefits program supports your physical, emotional, mental, and financial health, with an emphasis on work-life balance.
• Real rewards for real work: We offer generous compensation packages that recognize hard work and excellence.

Job Description

The External Communications Manager supports the firm’s proactive and reactive public relations strategy by identifying, pitching and placing opportunities that align with firm, practice, industry, and individual profile-raising priorities. This position is fully embedded in an integrated and global marketing, communications and business development team and partners with firm stakeholders to successfully implement strategic communication programs.

Essential Functions And Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain positive relationships with priority media outlets and key industry influencers
• Develop strong relationships with firm stakeholders, including leadership, lawyers and lateral hires; collaborate with the wider brand and communications teams, business development, events and practice/industry marketing teams to implement strategic communication programs that align with business objectives and plans
• Monitor ongoing industry trends, editorial calendars and competitor activity; provide trend analysis
• Identify media opportunities; actively lead topic generation efforts and collaborate across practices and markets
• Pitch and place profile-raising coverage
• Craft media messages, including research and writing of press releases, drafting of deal announcements and other client-related communications as well as copy for the firm website
• Serve as a firm contact for media requests; coordinate information and interview preparation
• Collaborate with external agencies as directed by communications leaders
• Proficiency of Salesforce to track PR activity and use data to report to stakeholders and inform public relations plans
• Leverage the firm’s news distribution and media monitoring tools
• Track and report on KPIs and media metrics; maintain working knowledge of firm technologies and other resources
• Track and report coverage using internal announcements, newsletters and .com, among others
• Align and help implement firmwide processes related to media relations
• Provide back-up support to the global communications team

Job Specifications

• Bachelor’s Degree
• At least five (5) years of related work experience
• Ability to build strong media relationships within key sectors
• Knowledge of news distribution, media monitoring and tracking software
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and prioritize responsibilities
• Ability to handle and maintain confidential information
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to work independently and under own direction and initiative
• Ability to travel as needed

Successful candidates will be provided with outstanding career opportunities and will receive a competitive total rewards package with the opportunity to earn performance-based bonuses.

Target Hiring Range $138,000 - $194,000

Please note that quoted salary ranges are not guarantees of what final salary offers may be. Base pay is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and geographic location. Base pay is only one part of the Total Rewards that MWE provides to compensate and recognize our staff professionals for their work. Full time positions are eligible for a discretionary bonus and a comprehensive benefits package.

Physical Demands And Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit, use hands, reach with hands and arms, stoop, talk and hear
• Employee must occasionally lift up to twenty (20) pounds

Work Environment

Typical indoor office environment

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people within this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this job.