PR & Communications Executive

Shoosmiths - UK Law Firm of the Year Winner at the Legal Week British Legal Awards 2015.

A leading UK law firm with a network of offices from the South Coast to Scotland, working together as one national team. An innovative practice and the first top 100 law firm to achieve “Gold Standard” Investors in People, our values and culture are not just words on our website but are the heartbeat of the firm. The lack of barriers between departments, a real lack of hierarchy, zero tolerance for arrogance and pomposity makes Shoosmiths a fantastic place to work.

The Business Development & Marketing team takes much care of the firm’s external reputation, employing a number of tools to optimise our profile in the market.  Growing profitable income from clients and targets is the key aim of the national Business Development team, and they do this in two main ways, by:

• supporting Relationships (with existing Clients, Targets and Intermediaries)
• developing a strong brand, profile and Reputation for Shoosmiths in the UK market and overseas.

Purpose of role

This role will assist the PR and External Communications Manager in raising awareness of Shoosmiths and Access Legal Solicitors brands through proactive external communications, generating media coverage, entering awards and other communications activities focused on key audiences and markets. The successful candidate will have excellent writing and editing skills – evidenced by a strong portfolio of written work – and will be able to build relationships internally and externally.

The role can be based in either our Birmingham or Reading office, and some travel to other Shoosmiths offices will be required.

• Writing news stories and by-lined features and articles to achieve media coverage in national, trade and regional media, with a particular focus on transactions, client wins and appointments across all of Shoosmiths’ UK offices.
• Assisting with the preparation of content for both internal communications and external, client-facing collateral.
• Assisting with the preparation and writing of award submissions.
• Editing legal updates to ensure they reflect Shoosmiths’ tone of voice and uploading them to the website using a content management system.
• Collating good news stories and press coverage and other communications outputs for internal reporting purposes.
• Organising and briefing photographers to ensure quality PR photographs will accompany news stories
• ‘Selling in’ news stories and articles/features to the press
• Managing communications aspects of campaigns and specific projects with the firm

• Strong writing and media relations skills
• Educated to degree level or equivalent with formal training in PR and Communications or journalism
• At least two years of PR experience gained in a professional services environment or an agency environment managing professional services clients. Corporate and consumer/private client experience desired.
• Ability to develop and place stories with business, financial, national and legal press
• Ability to deal effectively with complex subject matter
• Ability to demonstrate a good contacts book would be desirable
• High standards of written verbal communication are essential
• Team player, able to influence others and coach/mentor fee earners and other staff
• Self starter who takes initiative and follows through, creates confidence among partners and forges co-operative working arrangements with colleagues
• Meet deadlines and manage multiple projects in a fast paced and demanding environment
• Ability to work to tight deadlines
• Excellent project management skills

Shoosmiths is a committed Equal Opportunities employer promoting equality of opportunity. This means that everyone who either applies to or works for the firm is treated equally, whatever their gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.