Director of External Communications

Focused on employment and labor law since 1958, Jackson Lewis P.C.’s 1,000+ attorneys located in major cities nationwide consistently identify and respond to new ways workplace law intersects business. We help employers develop proactive strategies, strong policies and business-oriented solutions to cultivate high-functioning workforces that are engaged and stable, and share our clients’ goals to emphasize belonging and respect for the contributions of every employee.

The Firm is ranked in the First Tier nationally in the category of Labor and Employment Litigation, as well as in both Employment Law and Labor Law on behalf of Management, in the U.S. News - Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms”. 

Jackson Lewis is seeking a senior communications leader to help shape, protect and strengthen the firm’s public profile. Reporting to the Chief Communications Officer, the Director of External Communications will provide strategic leadership for the firm’s external communications portfolio, including public relations, crisis communications, social media, awards and recognition, and select employer brand and external partnership initiatives. The director will manage team members responsible for PR, social media, and awards, while closely partnering with colleagues across Communications and other Business Services functions.

The successful candidate will be a strategic, collaborative and hands-on leader with strong judgment, excellent writing skills and the ability to operate effectively in a complex, high-stakes professional services environment. This person should be comfortable advising senior stakeholders, building trusted relationships and contributing directly to execution when needed.

Key Responsibilities

Team leadership and management

• Lead, manage and develop team members responsible for public relations, social media and awards and recognition programs.
• Provide coaching, feedback and guidance to strengthen team performance, judgment and professional growth.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable and service-oriented team culture that supports firm priorities and cross-functional partnership.

External reputation strategy

• Develop and lead an integrated external communications strategy that strengthens the firm’s visibility, credibility and market position across priority audiences.

Public relations and media relations

• Lead the firm’s public relations and media relations strategy, including media outreach, story development, spokesperson positioning and reporter relationships.
• Partner with firm leadership and subject matter experts to identify and elevate timely, high-value stories that support business and brand objectives.
• Oversee development of press materials, media messaging, reactive statements and other external communications assets.

Crisis communications and issues management

• Serve as a senior communications lead for external issues management and crisis response planning.
• Develop messaging frameworks, holding statements and response plans, partnering with firm leadership and key stakeholders during high-risk situations.

Social media and digital reputation

• Oversee the firm’s social media strategy, ensuring channels support firm visibility, thought leadership, brand consistency and audience engagement.
• Guide social content that elevates firm news, thought leadership, people, culture, community engagement and market strengths.

Employer brand and talent partnership

• Partner with the Talent team to strengthen the firm’s employer brand and support recruiting priorities.
• Help shape external perception of Jackson Lewis as a workplace, including oversight of platforms such as Glassdoor and other reputation-sensitive channels.

Awards, rankings, and recognition

• Oversee the firm’s awards and recognition strategy, ensuring submissions align with business priorities, brand positioning, and visibility goals.
• Lead the team responsible for award submissions, including prioritization, messaging, quality control and deadline management.

Partnerships and external engagement

• Partner with the Director of Internal Communications, Senior Director of Events and other stakeholders to support communications strategy for key external partnerships and signature initiatives, including the firm’s relationship with Feeding America.
• Identify ways to leverage these efforts to increase visibility, reinforce firm values and deepen reputational impact.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to ensure these initiatives are communicated effectively and authentically.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in communications, public relations, media relations, or reputation management, preferably within a law firm, professional services firm or similarly complex organization.
• Experience managing, coaching and developing communications professionals, including setting priorities, providing feedback and ensuring accountability for high-quality execution.
• Collaborative, hands-on leadership style, with the ability to build strong cross-functional relationships, foster a positive team environment and contribute directly to execution when needed.
• Strong experience in media relations, executive messaging, crisis communications and issues management.
• Ability to quickly develop deep fluency in legal, business, and reputational issues and translate complex topics into clear, credible communications.
• Strong judgment, discretion and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-moving, highly confidential environment.
• Excellent writing, editing, and messaging skills, with the ability to tailor communications for multiple external audiences.

#LI-LM1

#LI-Hybrid

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a law firm, legal organization, or similarly complex, reputation-driven professional services environment strongly preferred.
• Experience overseeing awards and recognition programs, community engagement, corporate social responsibility or external partnership communications.
• J.D. or other meaningful legal industry experience is a plus, but not required.

In accordance with the NYC Metro area, Chicago Metro area and Denver Metro area, the expected salary range for this position is between $180,000 and $210,000.  This position is also eligible for annual bonuses.   The actual compensation will be determined based on experience and other factors permitted by law. 

Jackson Lewis offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Flexible Spending & Health Savings Account
• firm-paid holidays, vacation, and sick time

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status or any other characteristics protected by law.