Associate Director, Communications - Internal Communications at White & Case LLP in New York

Job description

• Our Communications and Media Relations team is essential for shaping the Firm’s public image and managing its interactions with the media. Our team crafts and disseminates press releases, media statements and other communications to highlight the Firm’s achievements, legal victories and superb insights. We build and maintain relationships with journalists and media outlets to secure positive coverage and handle media inquiries with professionalism and accuracy. The team also oversees internal communications, ensuring that employees are informed about key initiatives and developments. Additionally, we manage the Firm’s social media presence, create engaging content and monitor public perception to proactively address any potential issues. Through strategic communication efforts, our team ensures that the Firm’s reputation remains strong and its messaging consistent across all platforms.
• The Associate Director, Executive Communications will be a senior member of the Firm’s Internal Communications team, with primary responsibility for shaping and helping to execute the communications platform of the Chair of a global powerhouse law firm.
• Operating as both a strategic adviser and a hands-on content leader, the Associate Director will help define the themes, narratives and messages that underpin the Chair’s internal and external communications. The role will translate the Firm’s strategy, commercial priorities and culture into clear, compelling content for partners, employees, clients and other external stakeholders.
• The Associate Director will work closely with the Global Head of Communications, the Chair, firm leadership, and leadership across Marketing and Business Development. The successful candidate will be an exceptional writer and strategic thinker who can navigate a complex, global law firms, provide confident counsel at the most senior levels, and deliver high-quality work with pace, discretion and sound judgment.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted communications adviser and thought partner to the Chair, helping to shape her leadership voice, key messages and overarching communications platform.
• Develop and execute communications strategies that advance the Chair’s priorities and reinforce the Firm’s strategy and market positioning.
• Lead the development of executive communications, including speeches, presentations, leadership messages, talking points, briefing materials, video scripts and other high-profile content.
• Help to shape the content, narrative and structure of major partner convenings (e.g. Global Partner Meetings), firm meetings, global town halls, etc.
• Translate complex issues and strategic priorities into clear, persuasive and audience-relevant communications.
• Work closely with colleagues across Internal Communications, External Communications, Content Strategy and Integrated Marketing to ensure the Chair’s communications are coordinated, consistent and mutually reinforcing.
• Provide strategic and editorial guidance to communications colleagues and firm colleagues contributing to leadership content and Firmwide initiatives.
• Anticipate emerging communications needs and manage multiple high-profile, time-sensitive priorities with sound judgment and discretion.
• Help lead the Communications function’s adoption and integration of AI, identifying practical opportunities to improve the quality, speed and efficiency of its work while maintaining appropriate standards, governance and oversight.
• Contribute to the strategic direction, continued development and effectiveness of the Internal Communications team.

Requirements

• Significant experience in executive, corporate or internal communications, ideally within a global professional-services firm or another complex, matrixed organization.
• Demonstrated experience advising a Chair, CEO or other senior executive and developing communications in support of an executive leadership platform.
• Exceptional writing, editing and storytelling skills, with the ability to capture an executive’s authentic voice and communicate complex subjects clearly and compellingly.
• Strong strategic judgment and the ability to connect communications activity to broader business and reputational priorities.
• Experience developing speeches, presentations and content for high-profile leadership events and engagements.
• Proven ability to build credibility and trusted relationships with senior leaders and stakeholders across multiple functions and geographies.
• Ability to operate effectively at both the strategic and executional levels, moving comfortably from advising senior leaders to drafting and refining detailed content.
• Strong organizational and project-management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver consistently high-quality work under tight deadlines.
• High degree of discretion, maturity and confidence when handling sensitive or confidential matters.
• A collaborative, pragmatic and solutions-oriented approach.
• Familiarity with AI-enabled communications tools and a strong interest in applying emerging technology responsibly to improve communications outcomes.
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, English, marketing or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.

Skills

Required

• Strong strategic judgment

Benefits

• White & Case LLP offers a comprehensive suite of benefit programs to all eligible employees, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability coverage, 401(k) retirement savings, vacation time, and leave programs (including parental leave). Exempt roles are also performance bonus eligible.
• The New York salary range for this role is $188,000 - $282,000.