Director of Global Communications

Overview of the Function

The Director of Global Communications is responsible for owning, driving and championing the firm’s communications strategy both internally and externally.

This role reports to the Global Chief Business Development and Marketing Officer and oversees a sixteen-person team. Key stakeholders include the senior management team, practice and sector group leaders, office managing partners, the firm’s General Counsel, and heads of functions including Finance, HR, Information Technology and Operations. The role is a member of the global marketing and business development leadership team. 

Overview of the Firm

Freshfields US LLP is a major international law firm, providing business law advice of the highest quality. We want to be the law firm that clients turn to for legal advice where it matters most, wherever in the world that may be. We deliver seamless service across borders, cultures and languages.

Our people make our firm - we are a people business and want to create a welcoming and supportive environment where all can flourish. We see diversity as a strength which creates fresh perspectives and generates new ideas. We enjoy our work and are determined to do an outstanding job. We deliver best when working in teams.

We think and work globally - we don’t just say we are one firm; we act like one firm right across the world. We work wherever our clients need us. This is how we define ourselves, not by reference to where we have offices. Cross-border work isn’t just what we do, it is what we excel at. We understand what it really takes to work across different legal systems and commercial environments and to bridge language and cultural gaps.

We want to be leading our industry in best practice, not only in the legal services we provide to our clients but in how we operate as firm. We are focused on efficiency and continuous improvement and want to position the finance function at the heart of this, constantly adapting to the rapidly changing business world in which our clients and we operate.

We aim to add value in everything we do - we are passionate about helping our clients succeed. We use our experience and creativity to help clients make judgements and achieve their goals. In everything we do, we seek to make a real difference to the communities in which we operate.

Key responsibilities and deliverables

• Own and drive the firm’s communications strategy and deliver this across the firm
• Directly advise key stakeholders, including the firm’s Senior Partner and Global Leadership Team, on how to frame communications to internal and external audiences
• Proactively anticipate situations that may require specific communications efforts
• Lead the firm’s PR strategy including identifying target audiences and outlets, cultivating journalist relationships and achieving media coverage
• Lead the firm’s media and social media, thought leadership and recognitions strategies (including advising on various awards and priority legal directories), focusing on best practices and metrics relevant to those areas, in alignment with the firm’s strategy and growth areas
• Partner with and manage the firm’s external PR agencies to handle media and press related topics, including for crisis communications 
• Keep abreast of happenings in the legal industry and the impact this may have internally and externally
• Partner closely with all practices and sectors of the business to deliver high impact communications that support their areas of work
• Mentor, develop and lead the global communications function comprised of sixteen people based in the UK, US, Germany and Asia
• Oversee these regional teams managing outbound disclosures and inbound inquiries, disseminating information about media interest and resulting press coverage to relevant colleagues
• Ensure regional teams provide coaching, training and advice to our partners on media activity and performance
• Ensure the reputational and commercial success of the business are at the forefront of your communications and engagements
• Be adaptive to changes in the firm and communicate these to relevant parties where required
• Champion the importance of communication to your co-workers.

Freshfields is a high-touch, intensely client-focused organization. There are many aspects of the role’s scope which will take the form of offering counsel and advice, so a collaborative, consultative, inclusive working style is paramount.

Similarly, the ability to build lasting relationships within a partnership environment is essential.

Key requirements (Communication/skills/experience)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Superior ability to develop strategies, initiatives and plans; outstanding judgment and able to synthesize information incisively to support role as business adviser / leader of a skills specialism
• Demonstrable track record serving clients / stakeholders in multiple countries, cultures and time zones, and managing cross-border teams
• Able to manage multiple initiatives and deadlines to meet business objectives
• Exceptional people and leadership skills. Able to build a strong, inclusive team ethos and engender exceptional collaboration with other teams and functions
• Demonstrable analytic skills, organizational skills, initiative and vision.
• Experience with crisis communications, including partnering with external agencies and resources as needed.

Qualifications

• Have held leadership roles with global or cross border responsibilities, reporting to demanding individuals in fast-paced, international environments
• 15+ years’ experience in legal or professional services environment preferred

Leadership Capabilities

• Business Mindset

  • Works to understand, anticipate and exceed business needs, managing conflicting priorities where necessary
• Collaborating and Influencing
  • Invites and uses the opinions and perspectives of others
  • Engages people in a dialogue to gain commitment and bring them "on board", linking their perspective to the overall objective
  • Adapts own approach to the audience using a range of influencing styles
  • Resolves conflicts by discussing individual issues with each person
  • Checks with both sides of a discussion to ensure a common understanding
  • Takes initiative to maintain contacts
• Leading People
  • Engages people in multiple locations in discussion around the business objectives, conveying the firm’s vision and direction
  • Delegates projects with a clear set of agreed objectives/measures of success
  • Translates business goals into priorities and individual performance measures and communicates regularly about long-term goals
• Frequently reviews progress and seeks corrective actions when needed

For individuals assigned and/or hired to work in New York and California, Freshfields is required by law to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This compensation range is specific to the States of New York and California and takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is $300,000 to $500,000.

EEO Statement
Freshfields US LLP is proud to be an equal employment employer. Our policies and practices will be free from unlawful discrimination based upon race, color, ethnicity, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), national origin, citizenship, immigration status, ancestry, age, marital status, protected veteran status, military service, disability, medical condition, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any basis prohibited under federal, state or local law. We strive to promote an atmosphere that encourages equal opportunities and prohibits discriminatory practices, including sexual harassment.
Disability Accommodation for Applicants to Freshfields US LLP
Freshfields US LLP is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in job application procedures. If you have any difficulty using our online system and you need an accommodation due to a disability, you may use the alternative email address below to contact us about your interest in employment at [email protected] , or you can send your resume to [email protected] , or you can call us at +1-212-277-4000.