Associate Director of External Communications

Associate Director Of External Communications

McDermott Will & Schulte is a leading global law firm that brings together more than 1,700+ lawyers and 1,400 business professionals. We celebrate excellence, collaboration, and community and have been recognized as a top workplace by USA Today, Fortune, The American Lawyer, Vault and others. We are also certified by Great Place to Work.

At McDermott, we don't just invest in your future, we accelerate your career – wherever it may lead. That includes supporting you both in and outside of the office.

With us, you'll find:

• A firm where everyone belongs: Our award-winning culture prioritizes warmth and authenticity — we encourage you to be yourself!
• Enthusiasm for all perspectives: We're smarter and stronger when everyone has a voice and a seat at the table. We welcome unique viewpoints and ideas, and we make opportunities for you and your career to thrive.
• Support to feel your best and do your best: Wellness is integral to building a successful career and a rich life. That's why our benefits program supports your physical, emotional, mental, and financial health, with an emphasis on work-life balance.
• Real rewards for real work: We offer generous compensation packages that recognize hard work and excellence.

Job Description:

The Associate Director of External Communications develops, directs, and implements the firm's proactive and reactive public relations and social media strategy to align with firm, practice and industry standard, and individual profile-raising priorities. This position is responsible for leading a team of in-house and agency resources to establish priorities, drive proactive campaigns, respond to inbound opportunities, and develop messaging that advances the firm's objectives. As a senior-level member of the communications team this role advises firm leadership and collaborates with brand, communications and practice/industry teams in marketing and business development. This role also provides strategic and day-to-day leadership for the firm's social media program, including supervising a social media team, setting channel strategy and editorial direction, establishing governance and standards, and driving measurable performance against defined objectives.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Public Relations:

• Develop annual pro-active media strategy that results in measurable outcomes; actively monitor industry trends to align firm and practice-level priorities
• Establish and maintain positive relationships with top-tier media outlets and key industry influencers
• Craft messaging; pitch and place profile-raising coverage for the firm
• Manage external agency resources; establish framework and direct agency priorities, ensure maximum value for spend and oversee annual contract/statement-of-work (SOW) negotiations
• Oversee in-house staff resources; collaborate and provide leadership, including back-up support, to team covering UK/ European offices
• Collaborate with MCBD and practice/industry teams to develop and implement strategic communication programs that align with Firm objectives
• Manage tracking and reporting of KPIs and media metrics; maintain working knowledge of firm technologies, including AI tools, media news distribution and monitoring tools, and other resources
• Provide media relations training and interview preparation as needed
• Monitor ongoing industry trends and competitor activity
• Contribute to brand positioning and messaging to key stakeholders
• Oversee PR-related spend within brand and communications budget

Social Media:

• Lead the firm's social media strategy and program execution across priority channels, aligning content and campaigns with firm, practice, industry standard, and individual profile-raising priorities
• Supervise and develop social media team members; establish priorities, workflows, quality control, and coverage to meet deadlines and business needs
• Establish social media governance, including channel standards, brand voice and tone, approvals, content guidelines, and escalation protocols in coordination with firm leadership, as appropriate
• Develop and manage an editorial planning cadence (e.g., content calendars) in partnership across MCBD and firm departments
• Oversee social media measurement and reporting (e.g., engagement, reach, follower growth and other metrics) and optimize strategy and content based on performance insights
• Coordinate social media monitoring and response in support of issues management and crisis communications, consistent with crisis response processes
• Manage social media-related vendors/agencies as needed, including setting priorities, reviewing deliverables, and ensuring value for spend
• Collaborate with colleagues covering UK/ European offices to support coordinated social media messaging and execution across accounts, markets and time zones

Job Specifications:

• Bachelor's degree
• A minimum of ten (10) years of related work experience
• Proven experience and success in planning, developing, and executing public relations and social media strategies to achieve desired results
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated media relationships within key sectors
• Ability to deliver in ambiguous and high-pressure environments
• Ability to partner with C-suite executives
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and prioritize responsibilities
• Ability to handle and maintain confidential information
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to work independently and under own direction and initiative
• Ability to work in an office environment and to travel as needed
• Strong organizational skills

Successful candidates will be provided with outstanding career opportunities and will receive a competitive total rewards package with the opportunity to earn performance-based bonuses.