Manager of Communications

Location: Buffalo, Rochester or Syracuse, NY (hybrid opportunity) About the Role About this role: The Business Development team is seeking a highly organized professional with a client-service mindset and a collaborative, positive approach. This individual is responsible for managing firm-wide strategic communications and media relations to advance regional visibility and generate growth opportunities. You thrive in this role if you have: A bachelor’s degree in marketing or related field 5+ years of experience in a managerial role in a law firm or other professional services organization Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively and efficiently respond to timely requests and concerns Sound judgment, accountability, and initiative, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines Strong analytical skills and ability to think strategically and identify synergies Key Responsibilities Work closely with the managers/directors of business development, marketing director and attorneys to create and develop strategic PR plans for their practice and related practice groups/industry teams. Provide status updates and reports on PR efforts to stakeholders Assess effectiveness of communications by utilizing analytics and metrics and report findings to stakeholders Perform public relations support, such as draft, distribute and follow up to firm press releases through all platforms; announce new attorneys and senior staff; promote attorney and staff community recognition, and pitch to the media news on the firm and distribute firm “insights” to media outlets Establish strong media relations with regional business press and in markets where we do business as well as broader business and national media, legal industry publications and relevant trade press. Proactive review of editorial calendars and regular outreach to editorial staff to discern upcoming opportunities Provide training and preparation support for attorney media opportunities or when serving as a firm spokesperson Serve as a member of the social media team supporting social media initiatives and campaigns Manage content curation platforms and recognition outlets, such as Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers; manage process to proactively identify and fulfill attorney recognition opportunities Research and keep abreast of relevant marketing and industry trends to enhance relationships with traditional and social media in each market and relevant trade media Support the communications strategy of the firm during controversial or crisis situations Serve as a consultant for client situations that are controversial or a crisis. This includes serving as the media relations interface as appropriate – or, serving as liaison to outside resources Assist with other duties as needed Inclusion & Diversity Exhibit the ability to effectively multi-task, meet deadlines, and provide solutions in a fast-paced office setting Demonstrate strong client service and active listening skills Show consistent logic, rationale, and objectivity in decision making Believe in the firm’s core values: collaboration, inclusion, ingenuity, respect, integrity, and commitment Enjoy working with diverse personalities within various levels of the firm Are comfortable working in the office on a hybrid schedule and attending events Harris Beach Murtha is not accepting candidate submissions from recruiting agencies for this position during the first two weeks after posting. After this period, agencies with an active fee agreement may reach out to our internal recruitment team at View email address on click.appcast.io to inquire about potential collaboration. Salary information: Salary will vary based on experience and location. Anticipated weekly schedule: 40 hours per week. Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse, NY: $80,000 – $100,000. Equal Opportunity #LI-Hybrid Harris Beach Murtha is committed to an inclusive environment and we welcome applications from diverse candidates with varied background and skills, including military experience. Harris Beach Murtha Cullina PLLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. About Harris Beach Murtha Harris Beach Murtha formed in 2025 via the combination of Harris Beach PLLC and Murtha Cullina LLP. A forward-thinking and innovative partnership with the benefit of more than 250 years of combined history, Harris Beach Murtha’s New York roots reach back to 1856 and the firm has had ties to New England since 1936. Harris Beach and Murtha Cullina were separately among the country’s top law firms as ranked by The National Law Journal. Harris Beach Murtha and its subsidiaries have a strong Northeast presence, but a global reach. Clients include Fortune 100 corporations, privately held companies, emerging businesses, public sector entities, tax-exempt organizations and individuals. The firm’s practice areas and industries served span appellate law, business litigation, commercial real estate, construction, corporate, environmental, energy, financial institutions, financial restructuring, government compliance and investigations, health care, immigration, intellectual property, labor and employment, mass torts, medical and life sciences, political law, product liability, public finance, tax, and trusts and estates. The firm’s lawyers and consultants practice from offices throughout Connecticut in Bantam, Hartford, New Haven and Stamford; New York state in Albany, Buffalo, Ithaca, New York City, Rochester, Saratoga Springs, Syracuse, Long Island and White Plains, as well as in Boston, Massachusetts and Newark, New Jersey. The firm’s policy prohibiting unlawful discrimination applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, placement, assignment of duties, training, promotion, compensation & benefits and termination. It is the policy of Harris Beach Murtha Cullina PLLC that all applicants and employees enjoy a positive, respectful and productive work environment, free from behavior, actions or language constituting unlawful harassment. Accordingly, harassment or discrimination of any kind based on an individual’s race or color, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, disability, military status, genetic predisposition, carrier status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, creed, domestic violence victim status or any other legally protected status is strictly prohibited. Harris Beach Murtha complies with the provisions of the Human Rights Law, all other State and Federal statutory and constitutional non-discrimination provisions including non-discrimination on the basis of prior criminal conviction and prior arrest. #J-18808-Ljbffr