With eleven offices across the United States, 450 professionals and 350 staff professionals, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP is a multidisciplinary, integrated national professional services firm known for quality and an extraordinary commitment to clients. The firm’s groundbreaking approach—bringing together legal services, advocacy and business strategy—differentiates Manatt from its competitors and positions the firm to provide a unique and compelling value proposition.

The Opportunity

Manatt’s Communications team sits within the Marketing Department and uniquely consists of former PR agency and journalism professionals who act as Manatt’s in-house PR agency. Working closely with Manatt’s attorneys and consultants as well as collaborating with other colleagues across Marketing and the Firm, this role will be instrumental in executing the Firm’s media relations strategies, developing a wide array of content and helping to project manage a diverse range of initiatives that enhance and promote the Firm’s industry-leading, integrated professional services brand.

The Communications Manager will report to Manatt’s Director of Communications and help spearhead internal and external brand and communications strategies. The role would also collaborate closely with the broader Department, including Marketing Leadership and others within the Business Development, Events and Marketing Technology teams.

At Manatt, we seek business professionals who can help us meet the high expectations of sophisticated clients. We look for team players who can take initiative, seize opportunities, solve problems and make a difference from day one. We offer a fast-paced, innovative culture that is collaborative, diverse and community-minded.

Responsibilities

• Work with the Director of Communications on creating and promoting Firmwide messaging that is consistent with Manatt’s bottom-line business objectives.
• Manage, train and mentor several members of the Communications team as well as proactively support them in the execution of day-to-day projects, including everything from social media to press outreach and awards, rankings and surveys.
• Alongside the Director of Communications, continue to drive external communication strategies—including media outreach and social media efforts—to further strengthen the Firm’s reputation and position professionals as thought leaders within their respective fields, maintaining an uncompromised ability to respond quickly to current events and understanding of the mainstream and legal media environments.
• Oversee databases the Communications team uses to stay on track with social media queue, awards planning and press tracking/monitoring.
• Regular content creation/editing, including but not limited to: press releases, firmwide emails, media pitches, social media copy, website collateral, award submissions and other PR-related materials.
• Identify new PR angles/opportunities, as well as awards, surveys and rankings opportunities and advise Marketing Leadership, Firm professionals and leadership on nascent prospects.
• Partner with the broader Department to further improve ROI on all external initiatives as well as to ensure consistency across Firm branding.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required, ideally with a communications or writing background
• A minimum of six (6) years of related work experience
• PR agency experience is a plus
• Outstanding research, analytical and logical critical thinking skills, with the ability to identify a problem or issue, provide analysis, and recommend responses
• Exceptional written, editorial, proofreading and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information in a persuasive and easy to understand manner
• Proven ability to project manage and work well in a fast-paced, high-volume environment, managing competing priorities while maintaining a professional demeanor
• Strong team player who can mentor teammates and work collaboratively with colleagues to achieve department and Firm goals
• Superior client service skills and ability to form effective working relationships with stakeholders and colleagues at all levels
• Self-starter who has a tremendous level of attention to detail and is deadline driven, with an excellent work ethic and a positive, proactive style
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and with various social media platforms
• Prior project management and/or data analytics experience a plus

Other Skills and Abilities

The following will also be required of the successful candidate:

• Excellent writing skills
• Strong organizational and project management skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Good judgment
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills
• Ability to work harmoniously and effectively with others
• A self-starter who desires to show ownership and commitment to the job
• Ability to preserve confidentiality and exercise discretion

The base annual pay range for this role is between $130,000-$160,000. The base pay to be offered will vary and depend on skills and qualifications, experience, location and will also take into account internal equity. A full range of medical, financial and/or other benefits dependent on the position will also be offered.

EEO/AA EMPLOYER/Veterans/Disabled

Manatt is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including race, color, physical or mental disability, religion, creed, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, sex or gender (including gender identity, gender expression, status as a transgender or transsexual individual, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), age (over 40), genetic information, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, sexual orientation, political activity or affiliation, genetic or and any other protected classes or characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Consistent with the American Disabilities Act, applicants may request accommodations needed to participate in the application process.

This employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

IMPORTANT: If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to provide you written instructions and an opportunity to contact SSA and/or DHS before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment.

Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants or to re-verify current employees and may not limit or influence the choice of documents presented for use on the Form I-9. In order to determine whether Form I-9 documentation is valid, this employer uses E-Verify’s photo screening tool to match the photograph appearing on some permanent resident and employment authorization cards with the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) photograph. If you believe that your employer has violated its responsibilities under this program or has discriminated against you during the verification process based upon your national origin or citizenship status, please call the Office of Special Counsel at 1-800-255-7688 (TDD: 1-800-237-2515).

Holly Brown