Senior Public Relations Manager

Senior Public Relations Manager

Polsinelli is currently looking for a team member to lead our Public Relations and Communications efforts as our Senior Public Relations Manager. This professional will be responsible for the strategic development, implementation, analysis, and execution of high-impact public relations plans that support the firm's national strategic plan as well as specific plans in key markets. This position offers a high level of responsibility and leadership within the firm's leadership team and leadership in the Marketing Department. This individual will help drive the firm's strategic messaging, manage all outside PR partners to proactive interaction with our firm, create and edit press releases, award submissions, oversee the direction of firm surveys and submissions, and manage an internal team of communications professionals. They must be an accomplished leader/manager, strategic thinker, team player and an exceptional writer and verbal communicator. In addition, they must have strong professionalism, keep a calm head, have excellent decision-making skills and management/project management skills and the proven ability to motivate, lead and create an environment of excellence for internal and external teams. This individual will also need to be proficient in technology and AI curious.

Core responsibilities include closely aligning with the CMO, Director of Marketing, and firm leadership to create strategic PR plans for the firm, departments/industries, and key markets that align with the overall firm strategic direction. Such plans should include strategy, goals, and tactics. Partner with and manage all outside PR partners to encourage proactive networking with attorneys and business development team, ensure increased ROI on partnerships, promote more tier-1 media placements, and more strategic placement of thought leadership. Create metrics and regular reporting tools to convey success with earned and paid media placements and awards. Manage and help build an internal team, including social, to continue to elevate the communications standards at our firm. Work with internal C-suite and Directors to give guidance to internal communications. Write and edit press releases and briefs including new hire announcements, firm announcements, rankings and award announcements, deal briefs, and white papers. Oversee ongoing efforts to earn awards and recognitions, including related project management and coordination of assignments to ensure submissions are completed timely, drafting or reviewing draft submissions and nominations, and process approvals from attorneys and leadership. Manage a firm editorial calendar, both nationally and regionally based upon the firm's strategic goals, nationally for the firm, department, practice group and office level. Analyze and uncover new strategic opportunities. Be an active member in department leadership meetings, including being prepared for all meetings, contributing to the weekly CEO report, and offering strategic successions as applicable. Support the firm's surveys/submissions processes, engaging internal stakeholders as needed. Identify opportunities and coordinate regular pitches to the media in the firm's major local markets and at the national level (story ideas, press releases, etc.), seeking high-level placements in print, broadcast, and online media. Working with the Director of Marketing, create and support the PR functions of campaigns for specific topics, markets, or industries. Manage media inquiries and interview requests, ensure compliance with topics, clear conflicts as necessary. Creation of message and data point reference documents to be used by internal clients during media interviews and briefings. Providing one-on-one or team media training to internal clients (particularly partners and department team leaders), in advance of media interviews or media campaigns. Assist in sending reactive media coverage communications to attorneys, practice group leadership, and firm leadership as appropriate, ensuring that it is shared with the appropriate website team, intranet, social channels, and considering pieces for potential repurposing. Have a strong grasp on the firm's crisis response team, be able to manage the firm's relationship with the team and distill culturally appropriate actions if there is a crisis. Management and oversight of administrative projects including media coverage tracking and reporting across all markets. Uncover, document, and drive process improvement across national and local PR markets and PR consultants. Build relationships with Polsinelli lawyers and other key stakeholders within the marketing department and the broader firm and its clients.

Education and experience requirements include a bachelor's degree in Communication, English, Journalism, Public Relations, or related field. Law firm experience (Am Law preferred). A minimum of 10 years of public relations experience (private or agency). Previous experience in a managerial role. Exceptional business acumen and professionalism, a strong ability to identify and understand marketplace trends. Strong writing and editing skills, attention to detail, and the ability to complete important content-related tasks on short notice. Excellent project management skills and the ability to identify and recommend effective solutions. Must be familiar with external communications channels used by organizations with large employee audiences, including expert experience with email, intranet, website, and social media platforms. Must be responsive to inquiries from internal clients, diplomatic in answering questions or evaluating proposed ideas, and thorough when offering feedback concerning results or issues that arise in the course of projects. Experience managing budgets and driving cost-effective strategies. Experience with media tracking systems (Meltwater, Trendkite). Proficient in Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint), SharePoint, and Google Suite. Strong presentation skills.

Other skills/abilities include strong organizational skills, strong attention to detail, sound judgment, strong interpersonal communication skills, strong analytical and problem-solving skills, able to work harmoniously and effectively with others, able to preserve confidentiality and exercise discretion, able to work under pressure, able to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities.