Associate Director

3 days ago

Austin, TX, United States Husch Blackwell Full time
Husch Blackwell LLP is a full-service litigation and business law firm with multiple locations across the United States, serving clients with domestic and international operations.

At Husch Blackwell we believe that diverse, equitable and inclusive teams lead to better outcomes. Husch Blackwell is committed to retaining, recruiting, developing, and promoting talented lawyers and business professionals with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We foster an engaged, diverse, and inclusive team culture of accountability and purpose that makes our Firm and our communities better.

Our firm is committed to attracting and retaining professionals who value each other and the service we provide by embracing Teamwork, Collaboration, Client Service, and Innovation. If you are a motivated professional looking for a long-term fit where you can grow in a role, and will be valued and empowered, then we invite you to apply to our Associate Director - Communicationsposition. This position may be filled in any of our locations. This position will work onsite 2-3 days per week.

The Associate Director of Communications at Husch Blackwell is a strategic, hands-on leader responsible for developing, executing, and overseeing the firm's external and internal communications programs. Reporting to the Senior Director of Marketing & Communications, this role collaborates with firm leadership, strategic business units and practice groups, business development and marketing, and other divisions to promote, enhance, and protect Husch Blackwell's reputation and brand across all channels and key audiences. The Associate Director manages a team of communications professionals and external agency partners, ensuring alignment with the firm's business objectives and strategic plan. Essential functions include:

External Communications
  • Develop and execute a national communications strategy in collaboration with leadership and other stakeholders.
  • Set measurable goals and utilize analytics to evaluate the effectiveness and ROI of communications initiatives.
  • Ensure alignment of communications with firm-wide marketing, business development, and client engagement efforts.
  • Lead and mentor a team of in-house and external PR professionals, cultivating strong relationships with national, legal, business, and industry media.
  • Serve as a firm spokesperson and primary point of contact for press inquiries, including crisis and sensitive matters.
  • Collaborate with practice and office leaders to identify and promote differentiating strengths, firm milestones, lateral acquisitions, client successes, and other newsworthy initiatives.
  • Oversee the creation and quality of press materials (press releases, pitches, talking points, Q&As, etc.), ensuring alignment with key messaging and brand standards.
  • Lead implementation of proactive external communications strategies and campaigns positioning the firm's attorneys as thought leaders, and utilizing a comprehensive range of tactics, including traditional earned media, social media, and content promotion, working closely with the brand strategy and marketing teams
  • Oversee the firm's awards and recognitions programs, including advising on strategy, process and the development of priority firm submissions
  • Develop and maintain policies, protocols, and team reporting for external communications.
  • Monitor news cycles, identify media opportunities, and provide media training and interview preparation for firm representatives.
  • Provide strategic counsel to firm leadership on sensitive or high-profile matters, including crisis communications and reputation management.
  • Develop and maintain crisis communication protocols and messaging frameworks.
Internal Communications and Change Management
  • Partner with firm leaders to design and deliver impactful internal communications that facilitate change management, foster engagement, transparency, and a strong sense of community among attorneys and business professionals.
  • Support the development and distribution of firmwide announcements, executive communications, and multimedia content.
  • Ensure internal messaging is consistent, timely, and aligned with the firm's values and strategic priorities.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS
  • Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, Business, or related field (advanced degree preferred).
  • 10+ years of progressive communications, public relations, or media relations experience, with at least 4 years in a management role (law firm or professional services experience strongly preferred).
  • Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop high-performing communications teams.
  • Extensive experience in media relations, including established relationships with national and legal press.
  • Demonstrated ability to translate complex legal and business concepts into clear, compelling communications.
  • Experience managing crisis/issues communications and providing executive counsel.
  • Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with digital marketing, social media strategies, and content creation best practices.
  • Executive presence and ability to build trust with senior leaders and partners.
  • Exceptional written, verbal, and digital communication skills.
  • Strategic thinker with a data-driven approach to decision-making.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to negotiate and navigate complex situations.
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
  • High attention to detail and commitment to quality.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information judiciously.
  • Strong executive presence and ability to build credibility and trust with partners on strategy and execution of communications objectives.
  • Ability to lead others in developing and executing on initiatives and large-scale projects.
  • Ability to motivate others and build effective and cooperative work teams.
  • Strong interpersonal skills with ability to negotiate challenging situations and grasp internal politics.
  • Judicious, fast-thinking and able to excel under pressure.
  • Ability to consistently meet deadlines, including self-set and multi-tasked.
  • Ability to develop professional relationships both internally (with department members, lawyers and firm business professionals) and externally (with industry/regional associations, etc.).
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience in a law firm, professional services, PR agency, or government/political communications environment.
  • Supervisory experience with hiring, training, and performance management.
  • Familiarity with analytics tools for measuring communications impact.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Employees are entitled to compensation commensurate with skill and experience. The exact compensation will vary based on skills, experience, location, and other factors permitted by law. The expected compensation ranges for this position in various states and jurisdictions are as follows:
  • State of California: $151,000 - $308,000
  • State of Colorado: $139,000 - $248,000
  • State of Illinois: $136,000 - $265,000
  • State of Massachusetts: $151,000 - $289,000
  • State of Maryland: $146,000 - $222,000
  • State of Minnesota: $151,000 - $250,000
  • Jersey City, NJ: $164,000 - $297,000
  • State of New York: $141,000 - $304,000
  • State of Vermont: $149,000 - $286,000
  • State of Washington: $146,000 - $278,000
  • Washington, D.C.: $195,000 - $286,000

The above salaries do not include a discretionary bonus, however bonus opportunities are non-guaranteed, and are dependent upon individual and firm performance. Full-time employees receive benefits including: medical and dental coverage; life insurance; short-term and long-term disability insurance; pre-tax flexible spending account for certain medical and dependent care expenses; an employee assistance program; Paid Time Off; paid holidays; participation in a retirement plan program after meeting eligibility requirements; and more.

Please include a cover letter and resume when applying.

EOE/Minority/Female/Disabled/Vet. Principal Applicants Only.

#LI-Hybrid
#LI-HT1

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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