The opportunity

We are looking for a PR & Communications Manager to join our team in Asia You will help to guide others on strategy and advise stakeholders, whilst developing and strengthening relationships. We are looking for someone creative and determined, with the ability to adapt to requests.

The team

You’ll be joining our APAC Marketing & Business Development (MBD) team who work in partnership with senior stakeholders across the firm to set the strategy and shape the tactics to build our firm's profile. We help to win new work and strengthen and deepen client relationships, using a data driven and sales focused approach. The APAC team is mostly based in Hong Kong and is made up of over 13 specialists in marketing communications, business development and client service working closely with the central team in London. Whether it's driving a new content strategy, pitching for cutting-edge work, building our brand, or contributing to the development of our client relationships, we're committed to providing exceptional service to the firm and are known for leading the way when it comes to new technology and solutions. Energetic, creative and global, we're looking for people who have a passion for MBD and are keen to take a fresh approach.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Guide the Heads of Country (China, Singapore, Australia and Japan), the APAC Management teams and other stakeholders on PR strategy and communications planning for the firm’s APAC region and its sector and practice groups, and lead the implementation of those plans across APAC
Work closely with chosen individuals across the firm’s practice and sector groups to raise their profile, including media and communications training and implementing profile raising plans for each of them
Develop profile-raising campaigns for the APAC offices focused on recruitment and retention of talent, leveraging the firm’s global Employer Brand which is currently being developed
Explore and develop partnerships with external organisations that enhance the firm’s brand in the region and provide business development opportunities
Utilise video, social media and other digital-first communications channels to build internal and external awareness of the firm’s expertise and results in APAC
Develop and further strengthen our good relationships with key trade, national and legal journalists, and proactively generate positive media coverage that supports the firm's key messages
Provide high level advice and guidance on reputational risk and on crisis situations if and when they arise – including social media crisis management
Drive engagement with key changes and developments in APAC through all internal communications channels

Skills and Attributes:

Our ideal candidate brings at least 6-12 years of PR and communications experience, preferably with significant exposure to legal PR either at a law firm, accounting firm or at an agency. They are passionate about external media relations, recognise the importance of internal communications in an international law firm and are comfortable working with and advising partners and senior-level staff in relation to the firm’s communication strategy social media and traditional media relations. This person will also need to have a collaborative, communicative style and feel comfortable sharing ideas and driving every aspect of the firm’s Asia PR strategy. Native English language skills are necessary – additional Chinese language skills preferable but not essential.

Behavioural competencies

A dynamic, creative, and determined individual who makes things happen
Strong team player who can work well with others
Professional in attitude and able to work under pressure
Self-motivated with a high level of initiative and persistence
Ability to work with nuance
The drive to focus clearly on several different projects and ensure that all deadlines are met
Ability to work at both a strategic level as well as get into the detail by ‘rolling up sleeves’ on operational matters
Ability to stay calm under pressure
Strong negotiation skills and the ability to manage competing requests from many internal clients

Work based competencies

Educated to degree level
Exceptional communication skills – both written and verbal
High attention to detail
Experience within a similar marketing communications role ideally within a professional services environment
Maintaining existing relations with media contacts throughout the region and establishing new ones.
An understanding of the legal environment and experience of dealing with the legal, trade and business press is desirable
Ability to act as the firm’s media liaison in APAC, tending to incoming queries from journalists in Asian markets responsively and confidently
Ability to work with local MBD team and the Global PR & Communications team to devise and develop a programme of thought leadership and media relations to help grow the firm’s reputation across key media platforms
Confidence to advise and assist partners with the formulation of thought leadership content – including but not limited to speechwriting, op-eds and social posts
Experience in social media/content marketing / campaigns
A structured, process driven approach coupled with excellent project management skills
A strong and creative writer with deep copywriting experience
Ability to hone campaigns and identify and encapsulate themes
Experience developing content for social media and digital communications channels
Ability to remain calm under pressure and resilient
Ability to multi-task, prioritise and work to tight deadlines

About us:

We’re an international law firm that’s hardwired to anticipate and uncover the opportunities in change – and we have 34 offices and over 1,600 lawyers helping clients to do just that. We are one firm. Your firm.

Our clients come to us because we ask the right questions to shape the right objectives. And because they need proactive, practical, and commercially led advice on how to get there, whether they’re facing disruption or creating it.

We are sector-led which means we know our clients’ sectors inside out. And we’re proud to be curious, and to connect the dots to reach solutions others don’t. We work closely with our clients and make things easier for them. We look to deliver new improved solutions and services. And both our lawyers and our Business Services teams take on our client’s problems as if they were our own. But more than that, we work as one seamless international team across our business and theirs, giving our clients and our people access to a whole world of expertise.

The main responsibilities of this role are outlined above; however, this description is not exhaustive, and the job holder may be required to undertake additional duties from time to time to ensure the smooth running of the department. The role may require some working outside our normal working hours of 9:30am- 5:30pm

As a disability and neurodiversity inclusive employer we want to ensure that you have a barrier-free recruitment experience at Bird & Bird. If you require any workplace adjustments, please provide details to your recruitment contact who will be in touch to discuss any details provided and understand more about your individual adjustment needs.

Our promise:

Bird & Bird is committed to maintaining an inclusive working environment and we are an equal opportunities employer. We will actively support and supervise your professional development. For those with the necessary energy and ability, we will ensure that the firm is a first-class platform on which you can develop into an industry leader. We support an agile working environment and are happy to discuss flexible working.

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PR & Communications Manager

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