Public Relations Communications Manager

LHH; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Health Savings Account

Flex spending

Paid time off

11 paid holidays

Parental/adoption/surrogacy leave

Short-term disability

Job summary

LAW FIRM is seeking a PR & Communications Manager in Chicago with legal industry experience. The role leads PR and thought leadership initiatives to strengthen brand, manage external agencies, and partner with attorneys and BD teams to drive visibility.

The position requires 6+ years in PR, supervisory experience, AP style knowledge, and familiarity with PR tools. Hybrid work with minimal travel and a discretionary bonus potential accompanies a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in PR, Communications, Marketing or similar.
• Minimum of 6 years of relevant experience.
• Legal industry experience either in a law firm, working in legal services or supporting law firm clients in an agency
• Management or supervision of others
• MS Office proficient; use of PR software and tools
• AP style knowledge
• Familiarity with Concep is a plus but not required.

Responsibilities

• Lead public relations and thought leadership initiatives designed to enhance brand visibility, market presence, and professional reputation.
• Manage relationships with external PR agencies and communications partners to ensure alignment with strategic goals and messaging.
• Partner with subject matter experts, leadership teams, and business development professionals to identify media, speaking, and thought leadership opportunities.
• Develop and execute integrated communications campaigns that elevate organizational, practice, industry, and individual visibility.
• Oversee the production and promotion of thought leadership content, including articles, alerts, publications, media placements, and social media communications.
• Coordinate social media and advertising programs, supporting content distribution, audience engagement, campaign execution, and performance measurement.
• Cultivate media opportunities across business, trade, and industry publications while maintaining relationships with journalists and editors.
• Develop and refine external communications materials, including press releases, articles, announcements, website content, award submissions, and executive messaging.
• Provide communications support and media preparation for senior leaders, including interview coaching, briefing materials, and key message development.
• Monitor media coverage, industry developments, competitive activity, and emerging trends to identify opportunities for proactive outreach.
• Support award, ranking, and recognition submissions that strengthen brand awareness and business development efforts.
• Measure and report on public relations, thought leadership, and communications performance, using insights to optimize future initiatives.

Skills

Public relations

Thought leadership

Leadership/Management

Media relations

AP style

Education

Bachelor’s degree in PR/Communications/Marketing or similar

Tools

MS Office

PR software/tools

Concep familiarity

Job description

PR & Communications Manager - LAW FIRM or LEGAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED!!

Chicago – flexible hybrid

Travel: Minimal travel; approximately once per quarter – domestic for roundtable meetings

Compensation: $125,000-$175,000 based on experience + annual discretionary bonus

Benefit Offerings: medical, dental, vision, health savings, flex spending, generous PTO (sick/personal time combined), 11 paid holidays, parental/adoption/surrogacy leave, short-term disability and more!

About: Lead a large law firm’s PR and thought leadership initiatives. Help strengthen the firm’s brand, enhance the firm’s reputation, and raise the profile of its practices, industries, and attorneys.

Manage external agencies, develop communications campaigns that are strategic. Partner with attorneys, business development, and other marketing members to drive visibility and impact.

This role will have 2 direct reports and requires people supervisory or management experience

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in PR, Communications, Marketing or similar
• Minimum of 6 years of relevant experience
• Legal industry experience either in a law firm, working in legal services or supporting law firm clients in an agency
• Management or supervision of others
• MS Office proficient; use of PR software and tools
• AP style knowledge
• Familiarity with Concep is a plus but not required

Key Responsibilities

• Lead public relations and thought leadership initiatives designed to enhance brand visibility, market presence, and professional reputation.
• Manage relationships with external PR agencies and communications partners to ensure alignment with strategic goals and messaging.
• Partner with subject matter experts, leadership teams, and business development professionals to identify media, speaking, and thought leadership opportunities.
• Develop and execute integrated communications campaigns that elevate organizational, practice, industry, and individual visibility.
• Oversee the production and promotion of thought leadership content, including articles, alerts, publications, media placements, and social media communications.
• Coordinate social media and advertising programs, supporting content distribution, audience engagement, campaign execution, and performance measurement.
• Cultivate media opportunities across business, trade, and industry publications while maintaining relationships with journalists and editors.
• Develop and refine external communications materials, including press releases, articles, announcements, website content, award submissions, and executive messaging.
• Provide communications support and media preparation for senior leaders, including interview coaching, briefing materials, and key message development.
• Monitor media coverage, industry developments, competitive activity, and emerging trends to identify opportunities for proactive outreach.
• Support award, ranking, and recognition submissions that strengthen brand awareness and business development efforts.
• Measure and report on public relations, thought leadership, and communications performance, using insights to optimize future initiatives.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please navigate to https://www.lhh.com/us/en/candidate-privacy

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act
• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers