Communications Coordinator

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld is a leading global law firm providing innovative legal services and business solutions to individuals and institutions. We have more than 900 lawyers and professionals across 20 offices spanning the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Our firm’s clients range from individuals to corporations and foreign governments. Our London office is the nexus of the firm’s international practice. The firm’s strategy in London has been to grow practices that complement core strengths of the firm. This has resulted in the growth of a fully integrated office practicing at the top of its markets. The core strengths on which the office is founded are financial restructuring, corporate transactions (including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and private equity), complex finance, energy, debt and equity capital markets, securities, financial services regulatory, disputes, investment funds (hedge, private equity, real estate and infrastructure), EU competition and international trade and tax. The integrated nature of our practices mean that the lawyers based in London work closely on a regular basis with their counterparts in the firm’s other international practices as well as those in the firm’s US offices.

Job Summary

Under the general supervision of the firm’s Director of Communications, and working closely with the Director of International Business Development in London and the firm’s UK-based PR consultant, the Communications Coordinator will support the firm’s communications and international business development teams in an array of communications and PR-focused activities and initiatives. This includes coordinating the scheduling, research, submissions and findings of targeted legal directories and awards; the development and dissemination of press releases and news write-ups for the website; the posting of news and other content to external and internal firm channels; and the preparation and posting of content to firm social media channels. The role will also generally support communications and PR functions in the firm’s London office and other non-U.S. offices, and assist in coordinating and supporting the communications aspects of events alongside the business development and marketing teams.

Essential Job Functions & Responsibilities

• Ensure consistency with the firm brand and writing guidelines in all materials and messages.
• Communicate regularly with internal clients on the status of projects.
• Support the firm’s internal communications team and external PR consultant in furthering the firm’s non-U.S. communications strategy.
• Assist in the development of content to support communications and marketing efforts, including press releases, awards entries, write-ups for the firm website and intranet, and social media postings, among other content.
• Monitor and communicate deadlines for legal directory and award submissions, internationally (ex-US), sending reminders to the team and reviewing/uploading final entries.
• Track and disseminate results of firm directory and award submissions to appropriate stakeholders.
• Distribute firm news and media hits to appropriate personnel on a daily basis.
• Assist in the development of internal communications regarding firm successes and opportunities within and among the practice groups, utilizing communication vehicles such as The Daily Buzz, the internal portal, press clips, etc. 
• Work with the communications and business development teams to assist in media outreach and the development of media lists for firm news, successes, awards, announcements and more.
• Provide communications support for firm efforts centered around pro bono, recruiting and diversity and inclusion work in its non-U.S. offices.
• Coordinate with the business development and marketing team to provide communications support for firm events in its non-U.S. offices.
• Stay up to date with industry trends and recommend ideas to enhance communications strategies and practices.
• Support other PR and communications activities as needed, on a flexible basis.

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Competencies:

• At least three years of marketing communications and/or PR experience in a corporate setting, preferably within a professional-services firm.
• Excellent writing and communication skills, including strong grammar, punctuation and spelling skills, and an ability to translate technical and industry-specific information into clear, compelling content.
• Meticulous attention to detail and organization.
• Excellent project management skills.
• Knowledge of AP Style.
• Ability to conceptualize, think critically, and translate into creative, effective marketing communications programs.
• Ability to prioritize and see projects through to completion in an environment where priorities change quickly.
• Superior oral communication skills.
• Good interpersonal skills and proactive attitude.
• Develop a good knowledge of the firm’s policies and procedures.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to learn new skills as they become necessary.
• Ability to function in a collaborative organization and be a team player.
• Availability to work overtime as needed.
• Enthusiasm and flexibility to work on other activities and projects as needed.

Educational Qualifications/Job Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required.

• Minimum of 3 years of experience within a law firm environment.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by employees in this job. It is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for this job classification.

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld's employment practices actively promote equal opportunities throughout the Firm and its employees are selected and recruited  by merit in relation to the job to be performed, without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief.