Leadership Communications Senior Manager

$132,910 - $207,550/Yr

Perkins Coie - Chicago, IL

Full-time - Senior

Chicago, IL

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

Perkins Coie is seeking an experienced Leadership Communications Senior Manager to assist the Director of Communications in developing and implementing the overall communications strategy for the firm. This role is pivotal in supporting leadership communications and requires the individual to lead communications initiatives and programs independently while ensuring messaging alignment across the firm's multi-channel communications landscape, both internally and externally. The successful candidate will be responsible for executing multiple leadership communication commitments, engaging diverse audiences including firm leadership, business professionals, and clients across various regions including the U.S., Asia, and Europe. As a trusted communications advisor to firm leadership, the Senior Manager will manage competing priorities and act as a connector and problem solver to enhance the quality and standards of communications. This position involves proactive collaboration with cross-functional teams, including firm management, to develop and implement effective communications plans and strategies. The Senior Manager will lead firm communication projects and campaigns, identify new opportunities, and develop key messages that reflect the firm's voice in all communications. The role also requires the individual to stay updated on external best practices and changes in the legal and professional services fields to ensure that the firm's communications programming is innovative and forward-thinking. Responsibilities include planning, writing, and editing content for various channels, developing timely communications plans for firm issues, and creating emergency preparedness/business continuity plans for leadership communications. Moderate travel is expected for this position.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Director of Communications in developing and implementing the overall communications strategy for the firm.
• Lead communications initiatives and programs independently, ensuring messaging alignment across multiple channels.
• Engage diverse audiences including firm leadership, business professionals, and clients across the U.S., Asia, and Europe.
• Act as a trusted communications advisor to firm leadership, managing competing priorities and driving execution of communications solutions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and implement communications plans and strategies.
• Lead firm communication projects and campaigns, proactively identifying new opportunities.
• Develop succinct and effective key messages for firmwide and project-specific efforts.
• Partner with the External Communications team to align leadership messaging with external messaging.
• Stay updated on external best practices and changes in the legal and professional services fields.
• Plan, write, and edit content for various channels, including leadership emails, internal newsletters, and presentations.
• Develop timely communications plans for firm issues affecting organizational morale and reputation.
• Create emergency preparedness/business continuity plans for leadership communications.

Requirements

• Minimum of 10 years of communications experience, including at least 3 years of managerial experience.
• Experience in leadership communications at a Fortune 500, Big Law, or Big Four firm.
• Solid understanding of leadership communications planning and support, executive visibility, and internal communications.
• Strong interpersonal skills reflecting professionalism, tact, and good judgment.
• Ability to interact effectively with different constituencies and influence actions to achieve desired results.
• Experience in a matrix environment, rapidly building knowledge of the firm's expertise and client base.
• Intellectually curious with a knack for grammar, process, and accuracy.

Nice-to-haves

• Proficient in MS Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Excel).
• An independently motivated self-starter who can work comfortably in a lead or supporting role.

Benefits

• Annual discretionary bonus
• 401(k) plan
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Accrued paid time off starting at 20 days annually
• Personal medical and parental leave
• Up to ten paid holidays
• Family care benefits
• Tuition reimbursement
• Paid sabbaticals