Communications Manager - Finance and Financial Institutions
A&O Shearman

A&O Shearman is a new global industry-leading law firm, with 48 offices in 29 countries worldwide. We work on challenging and important deals and disputes that have the potential to shape the future.

Department Purpose
The Business Development, Marketing and Communications team is integral to the setting and achievement of the firm's business objectives, which includes supporting our partners and associates in their pursuit of becoming our clients' trusted advisers, building and maintaining long-lasting, deep institutional client relationships, winning new clients, increasing the visibility of the firm globally, and positioning the firm as the thought leader and most advanced law firm among the global elite law firms. The function works as one team across the globe with very close collaboration between the central teams and roles (such as this one) and professionals supporting offices, practice groups, sectors and clients.

Role Purpose
The Communications Manager - Finance and global champion for Financial Institutions will play a pivotal role in shaping and advancing the firm's external communications strategy. This position is instrumental in enhancing the firm's U.S. and global presence and reputation through strategic media relations, impactful communications campaigns, and the meticulous management of the firm's brand image.

Reporting to the Global External Communications Lead, the role requires a strategic thinker with a deep understanding of the legal and business sectors and a proven ability to navigate and influence external communications for a top-tier global professional services firm. This role will be accountable for directly supporting the partners and practices within the Finance department in the U.S. and will also serve as the global champion for the Communications team for the Financial Institutions sector.

This role is crucial for advancing the firm's strategic goals by ensuring a cohesive and impactful external communications strategy. The manager will be instrumental in positioning the firm as a leader in the legal field, enhancing its reputation, and driving positive media coverage and public perception.

By effectively managing external communications, this role supports the firm's business growth, strengthens its competitive positioning, and reinforces its commitment to excellence and thought leadership in the global legal market.

Role and Responsibilities
Strategic communications development

• Design and implement comprehensive communication strategies that align with the firm's business objectives and elevate its reputation.
• Ensure strategies effectively support the Finance department practice areas in the U.S. and Financial Institutions global sector.

Media relations management

• Cultivate and manage relationships with key U.S. media contacts and influencers.
• Develop and execute U.S. media outreach strategies that enhance the firm's visibility (including partners within the department and sector) and thought leadership within the legal and business communities.
• Have confidence to work with people at all levels and take responsibility for advising and deciding what ideas should be taken to the media and act as gatekeeper to ensure the partners' and journalists' time is not being wasted.
• Have a self-assured and mature outlook to develop relationships with target trade, broadcast and national media on their own to build up a strong network of contacts to introduce to partners.

Press materials and content creation

• Craft high-quality press releases, media statements, website postings and other external communication materials.
• Drive tactical news, thought leadership and market commentary opportunities for our market-leading spokespeople.
• Ensure that all content reflects the firm's brand voice and strategic messaging, while addressing the interests and needs of external audiences.

External communications campaign planning and oversight

• Lead and oversee external communications campaigns from conception through execution and evaluation.
• Coordinate with internal teams (internal communications, social media, business development, marketing, content and campaigns and alumni) and external partners to ensure campaigns align with the firm's strategic goals and deliver measurable impact.

Brand image management

• Maintain and enhance the firm's brand image across all external platforms.
• Ensure consistency in messaging and adherence to brand guidelines across various communication channels.

Stakeholder engagement

• Collaborate with practice area leaders and other senior stakeholders across the business development, marketing and communications function to align external communications efforts with the firm's strategic priorities.
• Provide counsel and support to ensure effective communication strategies are in place for high-profile matters.
• Organize, attend and offer advice on media training for key spokespeople.

Performance measurement and reporting

• Develop and track metrics to assess the effectiveness of external communications initiatives.
• Provide regular reports and insights on media coverage, campaign performance, and brand perception to inform strategic decision-making.

Key Stakeholders

• Practice group and sector heads, as well as key partners and regional managing partners
• Global community of external communications team members
• Internal communications and social media

BD Leads, Content and Campaigns and Brandkey Requirements

• Extensive experience in external communications, with a strong background in media relations and public relations within professional services, preferably in a legal or similarly complex sector.
• Trustworthy with sensitive and confidential information
• Able to quickly establish good working relationships and promote best practice.
• Highly motivated, flexible, enthusiastic and creative with required determination to achieve results.
• A successful team player, can demonstrate initiative and the ability to be proactive.
• Highly organized in order to successfully manage and prioritize a varied and demanding workload.
• Excellent attention to detail with a methodical approach to work and focus on accuracy, with an understanding of the need for documentation and well-defined procedures.
• Polite and confident in manner an ability to exercise tact and diplomacy in an organizational setting.
• Show resilience to overcome obstacles to deliver what is required.
• Ability to be an ambassador for A&O Shearman, being professional in outlook and attitude.
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing strategic communication plans that drive business objectives and enhance organizational reputation.
• Proven ability to craft compelling content and manage high-stakes media interactions.
• Excellent relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage effectively with media, stakeholders, and internal teams.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to use data to drive decision-making and demonstrate the impact of communications efforts.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, with a keen eye for detail and a strategic mindset.
• Experience working in a global law firm or a large, complex organization, familiarity with the legal industry and understanding of its unique communication challenges and opportunities and proficiency in media measurement and reporting tools would all be preferred but not essential

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