Director of Media Relations

Company: Akerman LLP
Location: Miami
Posted on: January 28, 2023

Job Description:

Akerman LLP, a top 100 U.S. law firm serving clients across the Americas, is seeking a Director of Media Relations. The location for the position is flexible. Under the leadership and general direction of the Chief Marketing and Client Development Officer, the Director of Media Relations will oversee the development and implementation of the firm's external and internal communications initiatives. The Director will work closely with the CMCDO, peers in the Marketing and Client Development Department (MCD Department), and across the firm's other operational departments to implement all initiatives.

Responsibilities :

• Manage the positioning and messaging of the firm internally and externally by collaborating closely with firm leadership, the CMCDO, members of the BD Department and partners of the firm.
• Develop and execute strategies to raise the visibility and reputation of the firm and its lawyers globally in strategic verticals.
• Serve as a media/message advisor to all relevant stakeholders within the firm.
• Develop and maintain relationships with reporters and other media contacts to enhance the firm's visibility.
• Meet at regular intervals with designated practice group and office heads to develop, refine, and execute media strategy for those individual units. Priorities for these programs will be set by the CMCDO.
• Identify, train, and prepare lawyers in their interactions with the media.
• Periodically interview attorneys, develop content ideas pertaining to their expertise, and writes articles, under the attorneys' names, for publication in business, trade, and legal media outlets.
• Serve as a presentation coach for lawyers and operations staff.
• Supervise media relations team; work with them as mentor and coach to develop and refine their abilities and maximize the effectiveness of the media relations team by delegating and managing their work appropriately.
• Supervise and regularly confer with the firm's outside public relations agency; meet with them to develop and refine messaging, and maximize the effectiveness of the agency by delegating and managing their work appropriately.
• In collaboration with the Marketing function, develop online and social media strategies, particularly supporting media relations campaigns in strategic areas.
• Help to maximize the effectiveness of all firm online and in-person educational and marketing events, by supervising publicity before the event, media involvement (when possible) at the events, and campaigning for after-the-fact news coverage in all relevant media.
• Supervise all digital marketing initiatives, including social media strategy, video, podcasts, audio, and other tools to be used in service of business development and marketing areas.
• Consistently refine communications strategies to comply with best practices and to obtain the greatest return on investment for the firm.
• Collaborate with members of the Marketing and Client Development Department to develop content and implement communications through various channels (e.g., digital and social media, website, placed and purchased media and public relations).
• Conduct market analysis to identify appropriate brand awareness outlets based on firm strategy.
• Be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the media relations team and serve as a significant contributor in all areas of communications, including other assignments provided by the CMCDO.
• Work in collaboration with the Content Team to manage internal communications across the firm.
• Set clear benchmarks in all areas to monitor progress and measure success in media relations. Qualifications :
  • Four year college degree required, preferably in marketing, communications, or journalism.
  • A minimum of ten years' experience in public relations with a strong emphasis on writing and editing.
  • Law firm or professional services firm experience required.
  • Knowledge of PR/Media tools.
  • Ability to exhibit good judgment when interacting with attorneys and outside public relations agencies.
  • Ability to work comfortably with attorneys at all levels.
  • Ability to make sound decisions and demonstrate a high degree of trustworthiness in handling confidential and sensitive information.
  • Ability to exhibit sound judgment interacting with attorneys and media/publishing companies.
  • Ability to work under the pressure of deadlines with strong problem solving skills.
  • Flexibility in working well within a team environment.
  • Ability to demonstrate strategic focus.
  • Ability to define goals and follow through to achieve results.
  • Ability to prioritize and manage time effectively.
  • Possess reliability, dependability and motivation.
  • Excellent organization and highly effective communications skills, both oral and written.
  • Exceptional client service both internal and external.We offer an excellent compensation and benefits package. Please submit your resume and salary requirements. EOE

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