Senior Communications Manager

UB Greensfelder LLP is an AM Law 200, super-regional firm law firm focused on exceeding client expectations and delivering superior, customized legal solutions. Created in 2024 through the merger of Ulmer & Berne LLP and Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C., the firm's 275 lawyers advise regional, national, and global businesses on a wide range of legal matters across more than 25 specialized practice and industry groups. UB Greensfelder has nine primary office locations, including Chicago; Cincinnati; Cleveland; Columbus, Ohio; Florida; New York; Southern Illinois; St. Louis; and Washington, DC.

We are currently seeking a full-time Senior Communications Manager who will report directly to the Chief Marketing Officer and work in one of the following office locations: Cincinnati, OH; Cleveland, OH; St. Louis, MO; or Chicago, IL.

The Senior Communications Manager executes marketing strategy, provides forward-thinking creative leadership, and demonstrates the ability to work effectively across the firm's practices, offices, and departments. The Senior Communications Manager supports the firm's internal and external public relations and communications initiatives by being a strategic thinker and using writing and editing as their superpowers.

This position is a critical member of UB Greensfelder's Marketing team and is responsible for contributing to the formation and execution of the internal and external communications objectives that influence the firm's reputation and brand. This includes developing, updating, and improving copy for communications assets, including press releases, website, advertising, and social media content, client alerts, brochures, attorney biographies, LinkedIn profiles, pitches and RFP responses, award nominations, rankings submissions, intranet content, and other marketing collateral. Firm deadlines, quick turnaround times, and fluctuating workloads are common for this position. The ideal candidate will be able to handle these challenges with business savvy, grace, and confidence.

The successful applicant will work with UB Greensfelder's leadership team, attorneys, Chief Marketing Officer, other Marketing/Business Development staff, Administrative Leaders, and outside marketing agency partners and service providers. This position reports directly to the Chief Marketing Officer and works closely to coordinate communications initiatives with the Digital Marketing Manager and the Business Development Managers.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Communications Strategy
  • Supports firm growth objectives and initiatives
  • Outlines annual communications objectives both internal and external
  • Tracks, measures, and reports progress and success/accomplishments
  • Creates and recommends communications tools/services/processes that improve communications objectives
  • Stays abreast of industry news and developments, and shares insights with leadership to affect positive change
• Public Relations and Social Media
  • Manages external PR agency relationships and determines agency engagement to include creating strategy, pitching bylines and stories to publications, tracking placements, and drafting critical messaging
  • Assists the firm with crisis communication and planning, and the development and execution of key messages
  • Drafts public relations materials, including press releases, media pitches, and talking points, and manages the review process for press releases, including obtaining approvals from internal stakeholders
  • Provides editorial review of client alerts, bylined articles, and other attorney-written marketing materials and presentations
  • Coaches and provides media training/guidance to attorneys as needed
  • Assists with strategy and content for the firm's social media accounts as needed
• Marketing Collateral
  • Assists in the creation of crisp, accurate, error-free copy for a multitude of online and print materials, such as web copy, brochures, practice group descriptions, and more
  • Manages updating of existing firm brochures and develops concepts for new promotional pieces, for example, the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging and Recruiting Brochures
  • Provides input on firm video content as needed including script writing
• Attorney Promotion
  • Provides targeted advice to attorneys regarding bio positioning and updates, and assists with all edits and changes to existing attorney bios
  • Manages new attorney onboarding, including drafting and securing approvals on new bios and press releases, coordinating firm photography, and pitching lateral hire news for publication in local media as necessary
  • Identifies potential awards for our attorneys and drafts strategic nominations to earn them increased recognition
  • Assists attorneys with speaking engagements, presentations, and thought leadership opportunities
• Business Development
  • Assists in the creation of key messages and content for direct marketing communications intended for clients and prospects
  • Oversees firm advertising strategy, placement and messaging, ensuring alignment with overall firm goals
  • Reviews and provides feedback on pitch and RFP documents, including drafting new/updated content for those documents when necessary and proofreading final documents
  • Reviews and provides feedback on firm and attorney ranking submissions, including Benchmark Litigation and Chambers entries
• Internal Communications
  • Assists with drafting content for the firm's intranet site
  • Assists the Managing Partners and other senior leaders when needed with messaging to all personnel including memos, announcements, policies, etc.
  • Assists in the development of confidential key messages and talking points for attorneys during crisis situations and major announcements
• Other Responsibilities
  • Manages agency relationships and agreements with service providers
  • Assists with the creation of external website strategy in line with overall firm goals
  • Oversee photography needs for attorney bios and staff pictorial in all UB Greensfelder offices, including new headshots for incoming attorneys, updated headshots for existing attorneys, and promotional group photos as needed
  • Provides editorial review of all self-written and department-generated copy, with emphasis on accuracy, completeness, strategic marketing effectiveness, and branding consistency
  • Deals effectively with differing opinions and diverse personalities
  • Demonstrates a versatile writing style capable of achieving the necessary tone and voice for multiple, disparate audiences and publications while simultaneously maintaining consistency in terms of message, accuracy, branding and strategic objectives
  • Administers firm style and branding guides and monitors consistency across all channels
  • Manages communications budget and recommends investment levels during budgeting process
  • Manages and mentors Marketing or Communications Coordinator/Specialist related to the assistance in the completion of above responsibilities

Qualifications:

A bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Journalism, English, Marketing, Public Relations or Communications; JD is a plus. At least 10 years of experience in the legal industry or related industry preferred. Excellent writer and must be able to provide portfolio of print, online, or related work (an electronic submission or URL preferred). Must be able to demonstrate a high-level proficiency in MS Office software (Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint).

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Must be focused on client service, and have an ability to develop relationships and manage a wide range of contacts
• Must be enthusiastic, motivated, and passionate about elevating the firm's reputation and brand awareness to a significantly higher level
• Must possess excellent written and oral communication skills
• Able to prioritize and oversee multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
• Have strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Must have exceptional editing and proofreading skills
• Comfortable receiving/acting upon feedback and working with ambiguity

Physical Requirements:

While performing the functions of this position, the employee is regularly expected to sit, use hands to type and feel, ability to talk and hear. Employee will occasionally stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.

Regular attendance is required. This is a hybrid role, allowing 2 days remote and 3 days in office. Periodic travel to other UB Greensfelder offices when needed. May be required to work outside of normal business hours for deadline sensitive projects/initiatives and in crisis-related circumstances.

UB Greensfelder provides top-quality, sophisticated legal services, serving business clients ranging from small entrepreneurs to international companies. Our work environment is business casual and we offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, which includes medical/dental/vision, 401(k) with employer contribution, short and long term disability plans, life insurance, well-being initiatives, and paid parental leave programs. If you desire to work in a truly people-focused environment for a firm that values its employees, then UB Greensfelder is the firm for you.

UB Greensfelder places a high value on diversity and is committed to cultivating an equitable and inclusive environment where all of our employees can thrive. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

Equal Opportunity Employer