Skip to main content
0

Head of Communications

Head of Communications

< Back to Job Search

ROLE OVERVIEW //

We are looking for an experienced and dynamic leader to join us as the firm’s Head of Communications, to be based within the London-based Commercial and Business Development team. The Commercial and BD team is part of the wider Business Services function.

Communications at Slaughter and May has evolved over the last five years. We have developed our digital presence and channels for external comms, completed a brand and website refresh and now have a clear content strategy, which focuses on client issues and draws together talents from around the business to create content and respond to those issues.

We seek an experienced and energetic Head of Comms to take the function to the next level. Building on these foundations, we are looking for someone with ideas and ambitions to amplify our messaging and ensure our practices are visible in our market.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES //

The key responsibilities of this role are set out below and there may be others which are not listed. You may be required on occasion to work outside our normal working hours of 9:30am to 5:30pm.

EXTERNAL COMMS AND PR

  • Work to understand the firm’s strategic aims and develop external comms plans to support them including implementing practice area PR programs; profile building for individuals and aligning content messaging across key channels
  • Identify comms opportunities and challenges presented by the firm and develop effective narratives in response to these challenges through internal and external comms
  • Monitor the effectiveness of these strategies through ROI reporting on comms activity
  • Maintain awareness of trends and developments to ensure alignment with our activity
  • Provide senior comms input to firm programmes such as Fast Forward and Collaborate; the firm’s employee networks and BD campaigns
  • Provide oversight to manage media and external PR support relationships
  • Provide support and leadership around the firm’s engagement with legal directory publishers, working closely with Knowledge and BD colleagues
  • Monitoring and measurement of the firm’s output against competitors in relevant areas
  • Ensure the firm’s external messages are aligned with the firm’s brand and profile
  • Ensure that all comms activity is co-ordinated and well managed
  • Provide regular updates to the partnership on comms areas of focus, the results of that work and future planned activity

REPUTATION MANAGEMENT

  • Be on hand to provide advice and counsel to the partnership on reputational issues
  • Use market insight and internal knowledge to pre-empt and plan proactive communications for issues management.
  • Advise on our response to high profile press issues when they arise, working with Senior PR Manager and key stakeholders internally to ensure there is support for the recommended position and then implementing the plan

INTERNAL COMMS

  • Develop an understanding of the way in which employee engagement works at the firm
  • Use this knowledge to help set the internal comms strategy, setting clear objectives for internal engagement
  • Work closely with key internal stakeholders to ensure a joined-up communications strategy across internal audiences
  • Provide support and advice around key internal initiatives and priorities.
  • Help to shape and deliver messages from senior management internally
  • Ensure an appropriate cascade of information through the firm
  • Ensure consistent articulation of firm’s brand and messaging to internal constituencies

TEAM MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP

  • Be a positive and active part of the BD and Commercial leadership team
  • Role model our values and actively contribute to a culture that is team-oriented, high performing and fun
  • Manage, mentor, and develop staff
  • Lead and motivate the comms team to ensure alignment against objectives
  • Share skills and use them to upskill others
  • Build a network of peers across the business services functions

CANDIDATE PROFILE //

Candidates for this position must have:

  • A track record of delivering successful comms from within a partnership environment.
  • Able to create strategic messaging connected to the firm’s strategy and goals.
  • The ability to quickly develop rapport and build strong working relationships with senior stakeholders; a naturally collaborative approach, culturally astute mindset, and sound judgment.
  • An effective approach to problem solving with the ability to challenge, persuade and influence effectively.
  • Creative thinker with strong interpersonal skills.
  • The ability to lead through influence rather than control and to create consensus-based support for business strategies and decisions;
  • A track record of introducing new and innovative methods of communicating through a campaign planning approach.
  • Experience of juggling multiple deliverables within a tight timeframe and deliver high quality work.
  • Comfort with ambiguity and the ability to shape actionable comms plans from such ambiguity.
  • The ability to run and manage projects effectively including stakeholder management.
  • Confidence to be a team player who will contribute to and enhance our inclusive team culture.
  • The ability to work within a high-performance environment and demonstrable leadership skills.
  • High levels of professionalism and integrity; displaying the highest standard of professional ethics
  • Excellent communication skills (written, spoken and presentational), attention to detail and good use of grammar and tailoring communications effectively for different groups and stakeholders.
  • Ability to successfully undertake large-scale, long-term projects, develop alternative methods to complete them, and implement corresponding solutions; managing multiple complex projects simultaneously.
  • Proven success mentoring, managing, and developing high-performing teams.
  • Previous experience dealing with the press on high level matters and a good knowledge of how journalists operate.
  • Industry knowledge (including legal and professional services) and an understanding of the comms and PR landscape.
Job Overview
Category
Category not defined
Job Type
Permanent
Consultant