Senior External Communications Lead — Hybrid

Winston & Strawn LLP; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 175,000 - 205,000; Full time

Job summary

Winston Taylor seeks a Senior Manager of External Communications to lead Americas-based PR and reputation initiatives. You will shape media strategy, manage high-profile opportunities, and guide lawyers and teams in impactful storytelling across markets.

You will oversee campaigns, mentor junior staff, and coordinate with cross-border teams to align with firm objectives and growth priorities. This role offers hybrid work and strategic influence across the firm.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or a related field.
• 10+ years of proven experience in communications, media, and/or public relations, preferably within a legal, professional services, financial services, or other complex business environment.
• Must live within a commutable distance to a firm office with the ability to come into the office 3-4 days a week.
• Demonstrated success developing and leading strategic communications and media relations programs.
• Established relationships with legal, business, and industry media and a proven record of securing high-impact earned media coverage.
• Experience advising senior executives, partners, or other professional stakeholders on communications strategy and media engagement.

Responsibilities

• Act as a key strategic business partner to stakeholders. Design and implement external marketing communication programs and PR strategy to support firmwide objectives and align with Business Development priorities.
• Develop and execute proactive media campaigns that generate impactful earned media coverage across legal, business, industry, and mainstream media outlets.
• Independently manage high-profile media opportunities, sensitive communications matters, and complex stakeholder situations, including press outreach.
• Manage external PR agencies. Ensure seamless information sharing, proactive enablement and prioritization, evaluation of opportunities, reporting, and budget management.
• Build and maintain senior-level relationships with key journalists, editors, producers, and industry influencers.
• Collaborate with the Europe-based external communications team for unified transatlantic external strategy.
• Lead strategic aspects of awards, rankings, and survey submissions with internal teams.

Skills

Media relations

Strategic communications

Writing & editing

Leadership

Agency management

Stakeholder management

Crisis communications

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications/public relations/journalism/marketing

Job description

Winston Taylor seeks a Senior Manager of External Communications to lead Americas-based PR and reputation initiatives. You will shape media strategy, manage high-profile opportunities, and guide lawyers and teams in impactful storytelling across markets.

You will oversee campaigns, mentor junior staff, and coordinate with cross-border teams to align with firm objectives and growth priorities. This role offers hybrid work and strategic influence across the firm.