ABOUT THE FIRM

The American Lawyer crowned Ropes & Gray “Law Firm of the Year” in 2022, ranked it #1 on its prestigious “A-List,” and named it one of its “Kings of the Hill” on the 2022 Am Law 100—a ranking of the most powerful law firms. Collectively, these honors reflect Ropes & Gray’s leading market position. Ropes & Gray is among the fastest-growing, most profitable and most prestigious law firms in the world. Its success is measured in its exceptional financial performance, an expansive pro bono program, consistent firmwide attorney satisfaction, and a deep commitment to racial diversity and gender equity.

Operating in the most dynamic financial centers around the world, Ropes & Gray serves organizations at all stages of development, as well as investors and individuals. With 1,500 attorneys spanning 17 time zones, teams collaborate seamlessly from North America, Europe and Asia to provide clients with the high-quality representation and uncompromising, round-the-clock service that have made Ropes & Gray a global leader.

JOB SUMMARY

The Executive Communications Director will serve as a dedicated advisor and thought partner for the Chair and Managing Partner of the firm, working in close collaboration with the firm’s executive board and c-suite. This important role fosters the connection between the firm’s leadership and its most important asset: it’s people.

We are looking for an Executive Communications Director who will play a critical role in advancing the corporate reputation of the firm and help navigate business, socioeconomic and geopolitical trends. The candidate should be a strategic, broad-thinking and people-oriented leader who will drive existing communication strategies and recommend new touchpoints and themes. The Executive Communications Director will be a driver and champion of the firm’s culture and brand, and connect ideas across a broad informational landscape, ensuring messaging is consistent across all internal and external audiences. They will be a trusted advisor to leadership, a trusted deputy to the Chief of Staff, a collaborative colleague to a team of creative professionals, and a master of coordination and project management. Success will necessitate an understanding of the nuances of the structure and culture of a professional services firm.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

· Continuously value internal communications as a critical layer of everything the firm does, and advise on how information is shared with the global firm community. Stay abreast of trends in the external market, including global cultural and socioeconomic movements; thought leadership around workplace culture and organizational psychology; as well as the greater zeitgeist of the legal industry. Also track and respond to internal firm trends; listen to the firm’s community and advise on the organizational and emotional dynamics of the content, timing, tone and platforms with which firm leadership communicates.

· Advise firm leadership on, and project manage the delivery of, a full suite of communications, including but not limited to: annual events including a week-long State of the Firm summit, frequent meetings with the firm’s global partners; global associate and support town halls, and external communications to be delivered by the Chair and Managing Partner.

· Develop a strategic approach to annual communication planning. In partnership with the Executive Editor, create, propose and justify strategic themes to carry forth in internal communications and in alignment with external messaging. Present an annual plan to the Chair, Managing Partner, executive board and c-suite. Support firm strategy by incorporating elements of the firm's strategic plan in internal communications.

· Own near- and long-term executive communications, from making recommendations, to building and managing production, driving production of quality content, collecting feedback and measuring engagement, and building on learnings. Evaluate the success of communication activities and channels and report to management.

· Create an effective communication cascade from internal stakeholders to audiences. Implement standards and practices, and make them known to functional leaders and content creators. Systematically ensure alignment on key themes and the use of various communication platforms. Additionally, recognize when to adjust this cascade to unique factors, and coordinate these shifts.

· Effectively manage communication projects, supervise production professionals, collect feedback, and implement changes to drive continuous improvement. Effective collateral development will begin with leadership’s support of concept, establishing deadlines, connecting writers with various data providers, and ensuring quality final product. Throughout the process, collaborate with the Chief of Staff, Executive Editor and Executive Assistants to the Chair and Managing Partner to better understand firm leadership goals, preferences and availability. Assist with drafting as needed.

· Leverage technology to maintain communication tracking tools and a communication library, organized by content and audience. In any given moment, the Executive Communications Director should be able to identify key themes and calls to action, and access quotes that support active and past themes.

· Additionally leverage technology to monitor communication frequency and engagement by audience. Regularly advise the Chair and Managing Partner on advancing, changing or delaying planned and spontaneous communications. Audiences include, but are not limited to, partners, associates, business support, offices or other business units, practice group leadership, affinity groups, and ad hoc committees.

ESSENTIAL CAPABILITIES:

· The ability to drive both strategy and tactical execution, in a highly visible role.

· The gravitas and credibility necessary to gain the trust and confidence of senior executives.

· Proactive planning and implementation of communications programs and projects.

· Proven track record of leading complex enterprise-wide and cross-functional communications programs in a fast-paced environment.

· Top-quality writing and copy-editing skills: ability to digest complex or seemingly disparate ideas and translate them into understandable, compelling messages that are tailored to specific audiences.

· Ability to develop materials on a variety of platforms, creating a logical structure, clear storyline, and conclusions in all written materials (presentations, memos, e-mails, etc.).

· Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of the firm’s internal affairs.

· Ability to understand, and deliver excellence within, a fast-paced, professional services culture.

· Low ego: work collegially in a roll-up-your-sleeves culture, in which team members at all levels do what it takes to get the job done.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED:

· Bachelor’s Degree is required; advanced degree, MBA, or JD is preferred. Minimum of 12 years of communications, journalism, speechwriting, or law experience.

· Must be able to communicate effectively at all levels across all departments.

· Superior writing skills; experience writing for and to senior business executives.

· Strong listening skills; digest, process and guide strategy and problem resolution.

· Ability to interact comfortably with senior executives, partners, senior staff and various constituent groups.

· Highly organized and energetic leader; experienced team leader that has created a culture of creativity, learning, inclusion, and success

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Incumbent is expected to work the hours necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of the position.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of all essential functions, responsibilities or requirements.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

A cover letter is required.

NY Comprehensive Total Rewards Package

Ropes & Gray is proud to offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package to our business support team members. The firm also offers comprehensive health and well-being benefits, personal and professional development, career growth opportunities and a collegial and supportive culture. The anticipated pay range for this role is $151,500 - $215,000, which represents our good faith and reasonable estimate of the starting salary range at the time of posting. In addition, this role is eligible for a discretionary bonus based on performance. The actual offered rate for this position will be determined based on job-related, non-discriminatory factors, including qualifications and experience, geographic location, education, external market data and consideration of internal equity.