Media Relations Manager

JOB TITLE: Media Relations Manager

LOCATION: Preferred Location: Louisville. Candidates residing in Lexington, Indianapolis, Evansville, or surrounding areas will also be considered.

STATUS: Full-Time, Exempt

SUMMARY: We are seeking an experienced, proactive Media Relations Manager to lead and execute our firm’s earned media strategy. This individual will play a key role in elevating the firm’s visibility across Kentucky and Indiana by identifying and securing media opportunities that highlight our attorneys, practice areas, and thought leadership. The ideal candidate is a skilled storyteller with a strong understanding of legal services, regional media markets, and strategic public relations.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assume a leading role in identifying opportunities and securing placements to generate visibility for the firm and its lawyers across targeted earned media channels.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with reporters and editors at key legal, business, trade publications, and regional law schools.
• Lead the development of media and PR-focused communications plans for practice areas across the firm, firm initiatives, and special reports.
• Work with stakeholders across the firm to create, edit, and disseminate news releases relating to lateral partner hires, deals, victories, accolades, pro bono successes, and other firm news and initiatives.
• Lead efforts to ensure timely collection, drafting, and posting of news items regarding attorney speaking engagements, media appearances, and articles to the internal firm portal/website/social media.
• Assist in the drafting of firmwide communications for firm management, as well as other high-level internal communications.
•  Support for the firm’s social media efforts, including assisting in the development and preparation of postings on social networking sites including LinkedIn.
• Spearhead attorney credentialing opportunities with industry sources such as Best Lawyers and SuperLawyers.
• As needed, provide communications and PR support for ad hoc projects across the firm.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Demonstrate consistent, excellent work habits indicated by meeting the Firm’s deadlines related to your role and Firm needs.
• Demonstrate expertise in all aspects of Microsoft Office, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and the ability to work with all portable document format (PDF) applications.
• Development of effective presentation skills, including the cultivation of internal and external opportunities to convey knowledge and judgment in an engaging way.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including strong writing and editing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and secure visibility for high value PR opportunities.
• Ability to quickly and proactively identify and analyze problems, develop solutions and deliver results.
• Knowledge of and familiarity with online and electronic newswire services, media tracking, and Internet research resources.
• Attendance at relevant Firm and Practice Group meetings
• Follow all personnel policies and procedures of the Firm.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in public relations, journalism, marketing, business or a communications-related field
• Five to seven years of experience in a similar public relations role, media relations, and/or marketing capacity; prior experience with a law firm, public relations agency or professional services firm is preferred
• Consistently demonstrate personal qualities of honesty, character, leadership, integrity, maturity, and Firm loyalty.
• Exhibit poise and professionalism when interacting with internal and external contacts and stakeholders.
• A high degree of comfort in liaising with firm leadership and management.
• Ability to prioritize and manage workload, work independently and as a member of teams, and complete tasks under time pressure as necessary.
• Strong leadership skills and willingness to function as a role model within the department and office. 
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality of client and office information and adhering to the Firm’s Core Values.
• Ability to effectively leverage support team.
• Exceptional organizational skills and ability to multitask.
• Some travel may be required, including the possibility of overnight stays.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with the team, Firm leadership and clients as needed.
• Commitment to professional growth and development.
• Strong work ethic, service orientation, and an ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with users, peers, office, firm management, and outside business partners.
• Ability to work extended hours as necessary to fulfill time sensitive responsibilities.
• Willingness to own mistakes, accept constructive feedback, and work towards progress.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. This position requires sitting for the majority of the workday. May lift up to 5 – 10 lbs. 

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR:

· Vice President, Marketing & Business Development

The statements contained in this job description are not necessarily all-inclusive; additional duties may be assigned, and requirements may vary from time to time.