External Communications Manager
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ROLE OVERVIEW //
Operating within Slaughter and May’s wider Commercial team, we are seeking an External Communications Manager to assist with planning and executing the firm’s media relations and communication strategy in the UK. We require the ideal candidate to have 6 - 8 years of PR and communications experience, preferably at a law firm, agency or with a journalist background. We are looking for someone who is passionate about media relations, is relationship driven, curious, proactive, self-motivated and highly comfortable working with and counselling firm partners and senior-level staff.
You will be part of a wider Commercial team function, which is a high performing environment serving multiple stakeholders. You will need to work collaboratively with many teams throughout the business, helping shape and execute Slaughter and May’s media strategy, while protecting and enhancing the firm’s reputation across UK and international markets. You will lead proactive campaigns, manage sensitive issues, and ensure consistent, high‑quality engagement with priority journalists and outlets.
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.
- Proactive, sector-based media relations: Working closely with the Business Development teams and lawyers, you will devise PR plans that build profile from the bottom up and increase share of voice on issues relevant to our client base. You will leverage thought leadership as source material for interviews and placed articles, building strong relationships with key media contacts.
- Reactive press office activity: Handle day-to-day inbound media queries from national, business and trade journalists on diverse topics. Ensure careful, timely and sensitive handling of issues that protect and advances the firm’s brand.
- Provide editorial judgement and media counsel to partners and senior leadership; prepare messaging and Q&As for media interviews.
- Act as a key and effective point of contact for the media. Build and maintain relationships with tier‑one national, business and legal media; cultivate story pipelines and pitch compelling narratives.
- Draft and edit press releases, statements, op‑eds/by‑lines, briefing notes and spokesperson bios to house style.
CANDIDATE PROFILE //
Candidates for this position must have:
Experience and skills
- 5-8+ years’ media relations experience in complex, multi‑stakeholder settings, preferably in legal PR either at a law firm, agency or as a journalist.
Personal attributes
- Calm under pressure; sound judgement on sensitive matters.
- Excellent ability to persuade and influence at senior level.
- Collaborative team player with a curious, improvement-oriented mindset.
- ‘Can-do’ attitude with passion for making things happen.
- Ability to translate a firm’s brand and values into effective external communications.
- Builds relationships quickly to gain trust and work collaboratively across the firm.
We welcome applications irrespective of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, belief or marital status.