Public Relations Manager

Steptoe LLP; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 135,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental & Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401K + profit sharing

Paid time off

Wellness program

Job summary

Steptoe LLP in Washington, DC is seeking a Public Relations Manager to lead and implement PR programs supporting firm goals and industry visibility. You will collaborate with the communications, business development, and marketing teams to connect lawyers with media outlets and shape strategic PR initiatives.

You will manage press materials, interviews, and awards processes while staying current with media trends, and ensuring proactive media coverage for practice groups and pro bono efforts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in English, Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or similar discipline preferred.
• Six+ years of professional experience in public relations/communications positions, with increasing responsibilities.
• Good journalist contacts and legal public relations experience strongly preferred.
• Excellent writer and editor capable of generating first drafts that require minimal revision.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and team-building skills.
• Ability to multitask efficiently and work under tight deadlines and in stressful situations.
• Superior project management skills.
• Attention to detail and quality work product.
• Strong communicator and persuasive speaker.
• Highly motivated and collaborative; willing to take initiative.
• Sound knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, and familiarity with PR and legal databases, software solutions, and media technologies.

Responsibilities

• Play a lead role in designing and implementing key PR programs in support of firm goals and strategies.
• Build relationships with key reporters and editors at relevant media outlets and identify opportunities to connect those media contacts to partners of the firm.
• Coordinate with lawyers and the Business Development team to identify and develop public relations activities that support practice group strategic plans.
• Work with lawyers to prepare for interviews.
• Manage the PR team's article-placement process for attorney-written byline articles.
• Maintain awareness of new media technology, techniques, and strategies and integrate them into public relations plans; manage the news aspects of the firm's primary social media channel.
• Manage awards/nominations process for individual lawyer awards, firm awards, and practice-specific awards.
• Manage the promotion of pro bono-related events and awards.
• Work with lawyers to develop media pitches. Draft and distribute source advisories.
• Draft and distribute press releases, including in connection with lateral hires.
• Supervise the maintenance of editorial calendars and track opportunities to raise the visibility of lawyers and practice/industry groups.
• Manage the completion of survey submissions.
• Draft and post content for the news section of the firm's website and intranet.
• Manage special projects and other public relations initiatives.
• Work closely with external public relations consultant and participate in bi-weekly calls to make sure activities meet firmwide objectives and pose no client conflicts or other sensitivities.

Skills

PR experience

Writer/Editor

Strong communicator

Project management

Interpersonal skills

Multitasking under pressure

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in English, Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or similar discipline

Tools

MS Office

PR databases

Job description

Position(s) I am Applying for

Public Relations Manager

Implement and manage various public relations programs that advance the firm's strategic goals and build name recognition in key practice areas, industries, and markets. Work in collaboration with the firm's communications, business development, and marketing team colleagues and lawyers. Position is based in the firm's Washington, DC office.

Essential Functions

• Play a lead role in designing and implementing key PR programs in support of firm goals and strategies.
• Build relationships with key reporters and editors at relevant media outlets and identify opportunities to connect those media contacts to partners of the firm.
• Coordinate with lawyers and the Business Development team to identify and develop public relations activities that support practice group strategic plans.
• Work with lawyers to prepare for interviews.
• Manage the PR team's article-placement process for attorney-written byline articles.
• Maintain awareness of new media technology, techniques, and strategies and integrate them into public relations plans; manage the news aspects of the firm's primary social media channel.
• Manage awards/nominations process for individual lawyer awards, firm awards, and practice-specific awards.
• Manage the promotion of pro bono-related events and awards.
• Work with lawyers to develop media pitches. Draft and distribute source advisories.
• Draft and distribute press releases, including in connection with lateral hires.
• Supervise the maintenance of editorial calendars and track opportunities to raise the visibility of lawyers and practice/industry groups.
• Manage the completion of survey submissions.
• Draft and post content for the news section of the firm's website and intranet.
• Manage special projects and other public relations initiatives.
• Work closely with external public relations consultant and participate in bi-weekly calls to make sure activities meet firmwide objectives and pose no client conflicts or other sensitivities.

Non-Essential Functions

• Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualification

• Bachelor's degree in English, Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or similar discipline preferred.
• Six+ years of professional experience in public relations/communications positions, with increasing responsibilities.
• Good journalist contacts and legal public relations experience strongly preferred.
• Excellent writer and editor capable of generating first drafts that require minimal revision
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and team-building skills
• Ability to multitask efficiently and work under tight deadlines and in stressful situations
• Superior project management skills
• Attention to detail and quality work product
• Strong communicator and persuasive speaker
• Highly motivated and collaborative; willing to take initiative
• Sound knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, and familiarity with PR and legal databases, software solutions, and media technologies.

Work Environment

• Non-smoking environment
• Must be able to work under tight deadlines and in high-pressure situations
• Available to work office hours 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and available for evening and/or weekend work as the job requires, including regular checking of messages outside normal working hours.

The anticipated base salary range for this position is up to $150,000. The actual base salary offered will be dependent upon the applicant's experience and qualifications, as well as other job-related factors, including but not limited to, relevant skills, education, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, geographic location.

Steptoe offers a full range of benefits for you and your eligible dependents. Benefits currently include: medical, dental, vision, life, disability, dependent care, health care flexible spending accounts, 401K Plan, Profit-Sharing, Paid Time-Off and a robust Wellness Program.

Steptoe LLP is an equal opportunity employer EOE/Disability/Veteran. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information, or any basis proscribed by applicable statutes.