Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer hiring European Communications Manager in Brussels Metropolitan Area | LinkedIn (2024)

Overview of the Function

The Communications Manager role sits within the global communications function as part of our wider marketing and business development team. This reputation management role is focused on supporting the firm’s market positioning, brand and business objectives in continental Europe.

Key responsibilities

Media Relations/Thought Leadership

• Responsible for developing strategic plans to promote and protect the firm’s reputation in core European markets – working closely with key stakeholders and partners to do so.
• Support implementation of global reputation management thought leadership, announcements and campaigns in their markets,
• Responsible for issues and crisis management and proactive planning to mitigate issues where possible.
• Responsible for day-to-day media engagement – including proactive pitching and outreach, as well as press office operations including responding to inbound media requests and managing the conflict process.
• Drafting press releases and other materials, placing bylined articles, maintaining media lists
• Developing media briefing notes for interviews and preparing lawyers
• Assisting with deal publicity, disseminating coverage, monitoring and reporting on achievements and progress, etc.
• Develop good working relationships with business and legal journalists on behalf of the firm to foster ongoing media opportunities.
• Support efforts to position firm partners as thought leaders in key markets through speaking engagements and participation with industry organizations.
• Additional duties as assigned in support of firm branding and visibility efforts.

Internal Communications

• Serves as ambassador to help ensure the continental Europe business is regularly and consistently presented as a strategic driver for the firm.
• Close collaboration with global internal communications to support global and/or CE wide activities
• Work with Office Managing Partners in core markets to drive plans for staff engagement and internal communications

Awards & Recognition

• Support awards & recognition program by identifying core, strategic opportunities, writing and editing submissions as needed, and tracking and communicating the results.

Social Media

• Serve as European liaison to the global social media team.
• Develop proactive social media campaigns in support of local announcements for deployment on global channels

Reporting and Evaluation

• Responsible for tracking, reporting and evaluation reports on all activities for continuous improvement.

Key requirements (Communication/skills/experience)

• Degree qualified in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing preferred.
• At least five years of professional experience in public relations, public affairs or journalism is a plus. Understanding of professional services sector or partnership business model preferred.
• Intercultural competence
• A self-starter with the ability to build strong working relationships within all levels in the organization both in local markets and as part of global teams. Experience interacting with law firm partners or C-suite executives a plus.
• Out-going personality, capable of identifying opportunities to raise the profile of the firm in the public at large and with specialist audiences
• Decisive and mature in judgement, while committed to the highest level of integrity and performance.
• Experience in managing content development for thought leadership campaigns
• Strong project management and organizational skills, exceptional attention to detail, and the ability to deliver under tight deadlines in a high-pressure environment.
• English, French and Dutch at least on business fluent level, excellent writing skills in all three languages
• Reliable network among journalists and other relevant professionals
• Highly proficient in Microsoft office applications; strong familiarity with social media platforms; comfort with additional technology platforms.