Purpose of job
Responsible for development of the strategy and delivery of all Birketts PR and external communications.
Accountabilities
Strategy and Delivery
1. Development of a PR strategy to support Birketts brand in market, any strategic focus areas and team-specific objectives to drive business awareness and growth.
2. Writing and distributing press releases. Ability to pro-actively seek out stories, build relationships with journalists and respond to the news agenda.
3. Develop and implement campaigns to generate national press coverage and thought-leadership opportunities within national press titles and media; ensuring all Birketts participants are briefed and coached through the process.
4. Responsible for Crisis communications management and drafting responses when required.
5. Responsible for overseeing Birketts owned thought leadership content, including legal updates for website and external facing newsletter. Overseeing the creation of owned collateral (inc. brochures and website copy) as developed by the team to ensure continuity of brand and tone of voice.
6. Responsible for delivering annual firm-wide reports to communicate firm’s financials and outcomes.
7. Be a consultant for firm spokespeople, stakeholders and legal teams to devise communications plans and proposals to achieve desired objectives.
8. Ensuring all projects are delivered on time, within budget and to a high quality (in line with the firm’s brand and editorial guidelines).
People
9. Training and onboarding of any PR team members to ensure we have a consistent approach in all our external communications; specifically in regards to TOV and positioning.
10. Managing the PR function in relation to workload, quality and outputs demonstrating leadership qualities.
Measurement
11. Managing, monitoring and reporting the effectiveness and ROI of PR activity via monthly update/ post-campaign reports, and monthly reports to the Management Board.
Budget
12. Coordination and reconciliation of expenditure in relation to PR activities and paid for inclusions.
Brand implementation
13. Working closely with Head of Digital, PR & Comms to ensure all our external communications are consistent in TOV and represent Birketts as a high quality law firm with regional, national and international expertise.
Qualifications/Experience
14. Proven PR background with experience preferably within a professional services environment.
15. Sound copywriting skills and editorial skills for internal and external articles (including press releases).
16. Experience in developing PR strategies desirable.
17. Demonstrable experience in delivery of multiple work. streams/ management of competing priorities.
18. Experience of managing and running a press office function
19. Experience of managing a team and working closely with other marketing functions to deliver results
20. Experience of working with and managing external agencies desirable.
21. CIPR or equivalent desirable.
22. IT Literate (Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel).
23. Working knowledge of Cision and/or another media monitoring and database tool.
Skills
24. Strong analytical, administrative and organisational skill.
25. A high level of attention to detail.
26. Initiative, enthusiasm and creative flair.
27. Effective communicator.
28. Good relationship building skills across marketing and practice area teams.
29. Ability to multi-task, work well under pressure and to tight deadlines.
Equal opportunities
We are committed to recruiting individuals on merits of suitability for each role, on the basis of qualifications and experience. All applications are treated fairly and equally regardless of sexual orientation, race, disability, religious beliefs and any other protected characteristic, ensuring that there are equal opportunities at all stages of the recruitment process.
Core Benefits
One of the best things about joining Birketts is our rewards package. At Birketts we are appreciative of the people who work for us and our rewards package is reviewed regularly to reflect that. You can expect to receive:
30. 25 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays
31. Long Service holiday award – 1 extra week every 10 years continuous service
32. Private Healthcare - BUPA (offered after probation is passed)
33. Scottish Widows Pension Scheme (5% employer / 5% Employee)
34. Staff Profit Share / Salary sacrifice (Pensions, Staff Profit Share)
35. Life Assurance - 4 x salary / Permanent Health Insurance
36. Paid ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) day
37. Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
38. Season Ticket Loan
39. Gym Flex membership
40. Electric car scheme
41. Dress for your Day Policy
42. Agile Working Policy.