Chicago - Senior Manager, External Communications

About us

At Winston Taylor, we set the standard, together.

Winston Taylor is a transatlantic law firm built for the businesses, people, and markets driving capital and innovation. Here, you're in the room. In the action. Sleeves rolled up.

You'll work with leading clients. Disruptors. Fast-growth companies. And help them to stay one step ahead of the moment and make critical decisions that shape their future. We're present in the U.S., U.K., Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East, combining the scale and speed that clients demand.

You'll be trusted with real responsibility from the outset and build experience through hands-on work. We take your progression personally. We provide the platform. You shape the work around your goals and aspirations.

Step into the moments that matter. Join Winston Taylor.

Position summary

The Senior Manager, External Communications oversees external communications strategy. The role directs the firm's America's-based public relations resources, including the awards and recognition program, and is responsible for enhancing and protecting the firm's reputation, advancing business development priorities, and elevating the visibility of the firm's lawyers, practices, and thought leadership through external communications. Serving as a senior-level communications advisor to practice and business stakeholders, this role develops and executes integrated media relations and reputation-building strategies, manages complex and high-profile communications opportunities, and provides leadership and guidance to direct reports.

This position has ownership for planning and executing communications programs, managing media relationships, and is on the team of communication advisors for internal stakeholders. This role serves as a key partner to practice leaders and business development teams while collaborating closely with the director, strategic marketing, communications, and brand, to align external communications efforts with broader firm objectives.

Position responsibilities

• Act as a key strategic business partner to stakeholders. Responsible for designing and implementing external marketing communication programs and PR strategy to support firmwide objectives and align with Business Development priorities and events. Serve as a trusted advisor to partners and firm leadership on media engagement, reputation management, and communications opportunities.
• Develop and execute proactive media campaigns that generate impactful earned media coverage across legal, business, industry, and mainstream media outlets.
• Independently manage high-profile media opportunities, sensitive communications matters, and complex stakeholder situations, including managing press outreach as needed. Escalate as appropriate to director of strategic marketing, communications, and brand and managing director of business development and marketing for collaborative approach to crisis communications.
• Manage external PR agencies. Ensure seamless information sharing, proactive enablement and prioritization, evaluation of opportunities, reporting, and budget management.
• Build and maintain senior-level relationships with key journalists, editors, producers, and industry influencers.
• Identify emerging trends, market developments, and competitive opportunities to inform communications strategy and messaging.
• Collaborate with the Europe-based external communications team for unified transatlantic external strategy.
• Lead strategic aspects of awards, rankings, and survey submissions in partnership with relevant internal teams, helping identify opportunities that support broader reputation and business goals.
• Provide strategic guidance on the development, positioning, and placement of lawyer-authored articles, commentary, reports, and signature firm content.
• Draft and oversee the creation of press releases, media materials, messaging documents, executive talking points, and briefing materials. Lead media preparation and training efforts for lawyers and firm spokespersons participating in/staffing interviews, panels, and other external engagements.
• Oversee media tracking, reporting, and measurement processes to evaluate the effectiveness of communications initiatives.
• Manage, train, and mentor direct reports. Delegate and oversee assigned projects while maintaining accountability for quality, deadlines, and outcomes.

• Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or a related field is required.
• 10+ years of proven experience in communications, media, and/or public relations, preferably within a legal, professional services, financial services, or other complex business environment required.
• Must live within a commutable distance to a firm office with the ability to come into the office 3-4 days a week.
• Demonstrated success developing and leading strategic communications and media relations programs.
• Established relationships with legal, business, and industry media and a proven record of securing high-impact earned media coverage.
• Experience advising senior executives, partners, or other professional stakeholders on communications strategy and media engagement.
• Strong reputation management, issues management, and media relations expertise.
• Exceptional writing, editing, messaging, and verbal skills.
• Experience managing external agencies and driving accountability against strategic objectives.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, budget and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Demonstrated leadership and mentoring experience, including guiding junior communications professionals.
• Ability to influence without direct authority and build credibility across all levels of the organization.
• Strong business judgment, discretion, and decision-making skills in high-pressure and time-sensitive situations.
• Willingness and ability to manage urgent communications matters outside of standard business hours when required.

Benefits

Winston offers comprehensive benefits that provide a full spectrum of coverage and support for our full-time employees and their families. Additional information about benefits and rewards can be found here.

Salary

Illinois applicants only: The target annual salary range for this role is currently $175,000-$195,000 based on a regular, full-time schedule. The amount of compensation offered will be determined by several factors, including but not limited to experience, qualifications, market data and internal equity. Total compensation includes a comprehensive healthcare benefits package, yearly retirement contribution, and may include an annual discretionary merit bonus.

We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences. #LI-DC2 #LI-HYBRID