Senior Communications Specialist

The Communications Senior Specialist will write for an internal audience and manage internal/external communications, including social media. The role holder will be a strategic thinker who is highly organized and proactive, with excellent written and verbal communication skills, good project management experience, strong client service orientation, and an interest in commercial and business issues. The role holder will understand and be familiar with the media landscape and how it operates, have excellent content generation and interpersonal skills, and experience working as part of a global team.

As Baker McKenzie continues to raise its profile in North America and globally, it is a priority for the Firm to proactively engage the global media based in the region, especially top-tier business and industry publications.

This role is designed to be instrumental in achieving the Firm's profile-raising objectives by working closely with members of the North America and Global communications teams in developing strong relationships with key reporters and media outlets, and by working with specific practices to secure media placements, interviews, and other opportunities.

Responsibilities:Communications Planning and DevelopmentRecommend best approaches and execute plans to achieve profile-raising objectives, considering messages, audiences, outlets, content, spokespersons, and other factorsDevelop and execute projects and creative initiatives to raise the Firm's profile and proactively engage mediaSupport project, practice, and Firm communications plans and executionContribute to communications planning and support communications projects for the North American region's practice groupsCoordinate with and contribute to internal communications and social media campaignsMedia RelationsProactively develop and maintain strong relationships with print, digital, and broadcast media, including legal industry publications, fostering a sustained level of profile-raising opportunitiesStrengthen media relationships by serving as an accessible and familiar conduit to the Firm's local, regional, and global expertiseCoordinate with the Firm's global communications team on messaging and media opportunities, especially in support of profiles for the Firm's practice and industry groupsDevelop and enhance media engagement best practices and materials, including updating team folders, files, and other documents to support a best-in-class, well-organized, and nimble teamWork with assigned practices to develop pitches, profiles, storylines and content of interest to the media, making internal connections locally, regionally, and globallyProactively seeks opportunities to promote the Firm's deal announcements, litigation wins, and other Firm news.Other duties as assigned to develop and drive effective global communications.Reporting & AnalysisTrack and monitor press and media coverageSupport in the reporting of KPIs to demonstrate value, return on investment, and delivery of service excellenceShare and promote successes and achievements and develop a strong culture of collaboration and support within the teamKeep up to date with competitor activity, and coverage and benchmark the Firm’s media profile against competitors

Skills and Experience: Media or communications experience in large and dynamic organizations, preferably in a financial services or professional services environment, or at a communications/PR agencyStrong contacts with media experience working with reporters, and an understanding of how journalists work and the media industry generallyExcellent written and verbal communication skillsExperience with integrated communications, including the use of digital and social mediaStrong judgment and ability to make well-reasoned independent decisionsSelf-motivated, proactive, and independent, able to work with a minimum of supervision but also a strong team player who can think strategically to propose solutions and solve problemsComfortable working across multiple cultures and time zones in a matrix organizationStrong interpersonal skills, including pleasant nature and ability to influence others