Sr. Manager Communications

Location: Reston, VA

DLA Piper is, at its core, bold, exceptional, collaborative and supportive. Our people are the backbone, heart and soul of our firm. Wherever you are in your professional journey, DLA Piper is a place you can engage in meaningful work and grow your career. Let’s see what we can achieve. Together.

Summary

The Senior Communications Manager plays a leading role in advancing the firm’s reputation and visibility through strategic public relations, and media relations. Working closely with lawyers, firm leaders, Communications and Marketing colleagues, and external PR agencies, this position develops and executes communications strategies that elevate the firm’s lawyers across practices, sectors, and markets.

The Senior Communications Manager identifies compelling stories and emerging opportunities, develops media strategies and messaging, builds relationships with key journalists, and leads proactive outreach across legal, business, national, regional, and industry media.

Location

This position can sit in any of our U.S. offices.

Responsibilities

• Develops and leads public relations initiatives that raise the profile of the firm’s key practices, including pitching compelling story ideas, promoting thought leadership, and securing commentary opportunities on emerging legal and market trends.
• Builds and maintains relationships with key journalists and media outlets, identifying opportunities to strengthen the firm’s visibility and connect lawyers with media opportunities related to timely legal, business, regulatory, and industry developments.
• Provides strategic media counsel to firm leaders and lawyers, including guidance on positioning, messaging, media opportunities, and interview preparation.
• Develops media pitches, briefing materials, key messages, talking points, press releases, statements, and other external communications.
• Monitors media trends and coverage to identify emerging opportunities, issues, and conversations relevant to the firm and its clients.
• Works closely with external PR agencies to develop and execute media strategies and campaigns, providing direction and ensuring alignment with firm priorities.
• Collaborates across Communications, Marketing, Business Development, Digital, and other teams to ensure a coordinated approach to external communications.
• Contributes to special projects and other external communications initiatives as needed.

Skills and Competencies

• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with the ability to translate complex legal and business issues into clear, compelling communications for sophisticated external audiences.
• Significant experience developing and executing proactive media relations strategies, including story development, pitching, and journalist engagement.
• Strong understanding of the media landscape and what makes a story relevant to legal, business, national, regional, and industry publications.
• Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships with journalists, lawyers, senior leaders, and colleagues across a complex organization.
• Excellent organizational and project-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, stakeholders, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Proactive, resourceful, collaborative, and solutions-oriented, with strong judgment and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a collaborative, multi-disciplinary team.
• Experience in a law firm, professional services organization, PR agency, or similarly complex environment preferred.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in public relations, marketing, communication, journalism or related field.
• Years of Experience
• 8 years of experience in marketing, public relations or similar field.

Essential Job Expectations

• All DLA Piper employees are expected to demonstrate excellence in how we serve our clients and develop our people, upholding our firm values as part of our culture. Specific expectations include:
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with clients, lawyers, business professionals, and external audiences.
• Produce high-quality work and respond to correspondence in an efficient, timely, and professional manner.
• Meet deadlines, manage competing priorities, and commit to meeting high standards.
• Comply with firm policies and procedures.
• Maintain confidences as required in a law firm environment.

Physical Demands

Sedentary work: This is primarily sedentary work, requiring occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull, or move objects. The role involves sitting for extended periods, with occasional walking and standing, and occasional travel, both domestic and international.

Work Environment

The selected candidate will have the opportunity for a hybrid work arrangement combining remote and in-office work. The specific arrangement will be determined at the time of hiring and may be modified at the firm's discretion.

Compensation & Benefits

The firm's expected hiring range for this position is $149,276 - $237,355, depending on the candidate's geographic location, experience, skills, educational background, and overall qualifications.

DLA Piper offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, and additional benefits.

Application Process

• Interested candidates must apply directly online. Application materials sent via email will not be accepted.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made upon request to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position or participate in the selection process. For accommodation requests, please contact [email protected].
• Agency applications will not be considered.
• No immigration sponsorship is available for this position.

Disclaimer

This job description provides a concise overview of the role and is not intended to describe all work elements that may be performed. It should not serve as the sole criteria for personnel decisions. Job duties, requirements, and expectations may be modified at the firm's discretion at any time. This job description does not alter the at-will nature of employment.

We are committed to excellence in how we serve our clients and develop our people.

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DLA Piper is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. Job applicant poster viewing center.