Senior Manager, Communications

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 220,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, based in New York with offices around the globe, seeks a Senior Manager of Communications to elevate the firm’s profile through media engagement and thought leadership. You will synthesize complex legal matters into compelling narratives for external audiences, clients and press.

Working with the Communications and Client Development teams, you will develop visibility strategies, manage relationships with key media, coordinate contributed content, and support

Qualifications

• 8+ years of relevant experience in strategic communications, media relations or marketing communications.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with strong attention to detail.
• Proven ability to develop trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, exercising sound judgment, discretion and diplomacy.
• Ability to synthesize complex legal and business concepts into clear, compelling narratives tailored to media, clients and other external audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate business and reputational challenges and proactively develop strategic solutions.
• Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills, including the ability to assess priorities, make recommendations, and operate effectively amid ambiguity.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute communications and visibility strategies in partnership with senior Communications team members, including press releases, website content, and related efforts highlighting Firm developments, capabilities, transactions and litigation victories.
• Identify and evaluate opportunities to elevate the profile of Firm practices and partners through media engagement, thought leadership campaigns, and media commentary; prepare related messaging and background materials.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key media outlets and contacts and facilitate the cultivation of media relationships for priority partners.
• Develop strategy and execution for contributed content and digital channels, including bylined articles, website updates (partner biographies, practice content), and LinkedIn content in collaboration with internal stakeholders.
• Support Firm positioning through awards and market intelligence, assisting in awards and survey strategy and preparation, monitoring industry media and newswires, and providing competitive intelligence on peer‑firm activity.
• Support Communications and Client Development and Engagement Department initiatives and operations, including in the development of marketing and promotional materials, mentoring junior team members, and contributing to broader Firm projects, policies, and processes.

Skills

Strategic communications

Media relations

Marketing communications

Stakeholder management

Storytelling

Editing

Project management

Writing

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Major in Communications, English, Marketing, Advertising or related field

Job description

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is one of the world’s leading international law firms. The Firm was established in 1884 and has approximately 2,000 lawyers. Headquartered in New York with offices in Beijing, Boston, Brussels, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Los Angeles, Luxembourg, Palo Alto, San Francisco, São Paulo, Tokyo and Washington, D.C., the Firm provides coordinated legal advice and transactional capability to clients around the globe.

The Communications team elevates the profile of Simpson Thacher, its practices and its lawyers through clear, differentiated messages and storytelling that showcase our market-leading work and engage all stakeholders. It drives disciplined, high-impact communications across channels to strengthen reputation and amplify visibility of the Firm at the forefront of the market.

The Senior Manager of Communications works as part of the Communications and broader Client Development and Engagement team to raise the profile of the Firm, its practices and lawyers through media engagement and thought leadership more broadly, including through promoting newsworthy transactions, litigation matters, as well as through the development of related thought leadership, social media and awards content more broadly. The role requires exceptional research, writing and editing skills, organizational excellence and the ability to synthesize complex information into compelling media and thought leadership narratives.

Essential Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop and execute communications and visibility strategies in partnership with senior Communications team members, including press releases, website content, and related efforts highlighting Firm developments, capabilities, transactions and litigation victories.
• Identify and evaluate opportunities to elevate the profile of Firm practices and partners through media engagement, thought leadership campaigns, and media commentary; prepare related messaging and background materials.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key media outlets and contacts and facilitate the cultivation of media relationships for priority partners.
• Develop strategy and execution for contributed content and digital channels, including bylined articles, website updates (partner biographies, practice content), and LinkedIn content in collaboration with internal stakeholders.
• Support Firm positioning through awards and market intelligence, assisting in awards and survey strategy and preparation, monitoring industry media and newswires, and providing competitive intelligence on peer‑firm activity.
• Support Communications and Client Development and Engagement Department initiatives and operations, including in the development of marketing and promotional materials, mentoring junior team members, and contributing to broader Firm projects, policies, and processes.

Education

Required

Bachelor’s degree required

Preferred

Major in Communications, English, Marketing, Advertising or related field preferred

Skills and Experience

Required

• 8 + years of relevant experience in strategic communications, media relations or marketing communications.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with strong attention to detail.
• Proven ability to develop trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, exercising sound judgment, discretion and diplomacy.
• Ability to synthesize complex legal and business concepts into clear, compelling narratives tailored to media, clients and other external audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate business and reputational challenges and proactively develop strategic solutions.
• Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills, including the ability to assess priorities, make recommendations, and operate effectively amid ambiguity.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.

Preferred

• Experience managing strategic marketing or communications initiatives at a national or global level, preferably in a law firm or professional services environment.
• Experience working with media across multiple jurisdictions.
• Experience overseeing website content and digital communications.

Salary Information

NY Only: The estimated base salary range for this position is $220,000 to $250,000 at the time of posting.

The actual salary offered will depend on a variety of factors, including without limitation, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job. This role is exempt meaning it is not overtime pay eligible.

Simpson Thacher will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.

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Simpson Thacher & Bartlett is committed to a collegial work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. The Firm prohibits discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, citizenship status, disability, marital or partnership status, sexual orientation, veteran’s status or any other legally protected status. This Policy pertains to every aspect of an individual’s relationship with the Firm, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, training and development, promotion, transfer, discipline, termination, and all other privileges, terms and conditions of employment.