About the job

We are recruiting a PR & Communications Executive to join our Marketing and Business Development department on a permanent basis.

About Macfarlanes

Macfarlanes is a pre-eminent law firm that serves a global client base in Private Capital, Private Wealth, M&A and Disputes. Personal connection, an entrepreneurial spirit and a commitment to excellence are at the heart of our firm. These values drive our ability to deliver exceptional outcomes for our clients.

We are big enough to undertake the most complex and demanding mandates yet small enough to know each other well and to be agile, adapting to the needs of our clients. We seek to strengthen the firm by recruiting talented people from all backgrounds who want to build long-lasting and impactful careers with us. Our culture is challenging and supportive, creating an environment where individuals can thrive.

What this means for you

Joining Macfarlanes means being part of a collaborative, approachable team who want you to succeed. You’ll be encouraged to get involved and recognised for your contribution.

We take your development seriously. Our learning and development programmes are second to none and are designed to help you strengthen your skills.

Above all, you’ll be part of a firm where we all work together as part of a cohesive and supportive team, value your efforts and help you to thrive.

The team

The PR & Communications Executive sits within the firm’s Marketing and Business Development department. The individual will report into the Senior PR & Communications Manager who works directly with the Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer.

The role

The individual will be required to carry out a broad range of good quality work. Key duties will include:

• monitoring legal, business and financial news, applying sound editorial judgement to identify opportunities for profile raising to support the firm's practice, sector and business development priorities;
• working directly with lawyers and business development colleagues to independently develop and execute proactive media campaigns by pitching comment opportunities, by-lined articles, interviews and background briefings and other media opportunities to trade, national and legal press;
• drafting press releases, pitches, articles and other communications materials for use with the media, ensuring house style;
• supporting with day-to-day press office activity, acting as a point of contact with journalists and directing incoming media enquiries;
• supporting the Senior PR and Communications Manager with the planning and delivery of firm PR priorities, including campaigns and content programmes;
• building relationships and engaging with key reporters and editors at relevant media outlets. Identifying opportunities to connect those media contacts to partners of the firm;
• co-ordinating interviews and meetings with reporters and lawyers, including preparing briefing notes for lawyers ahead of media engagements, and staffing media interviews;
• complying with, and supporting, PR team admin processes for proper media monitoring, activity reporting, conflict checking, etc;
• building and maintaining media contact lists on our media database;
• Building trusted relationships with partners and internal stakeholders, providing practical communications advice and independently managing media opportunities through the full cycle;
• drafting, preparing and executing social media posts for the firm’s social media channels;
• exploring and developing ways of working with generative AI tools with the PR team to drive efficiencies; and
• drafting and editing of awards submissions.

This job description encompasses the main duties of the role and is by no means exhaustive. It is anticipated that duties may vary from time to time according to the needs of the practice area.

During the first six months of employment, you may be required to attend the office four days per week to support onboarding, training and collaboration. Your line manager may adjust this requirement based on your progress and business needs.

The candidate

The successful candidate will ideally possess the following:

• experience in PR and communications in a professional or financial services environment;
• an interest in business, financial and legal news, with the curiosity to understand how market developments create opportunities for the firm's clients and practices;
• excellent oral and written communication skills, being capable of producing quality work product and generating first drafts that require minimal revision, with adapted messages for different audiences;
• strong interpersonal skills, including being a team player in a collaborative organisation;
• be keen to learn and develop;
• excellent organisation skills, including the ability to prioritise and coordinate own work and to multitask efficiently and work under tight deadlines;
• proven ability to deal with complex subject matter, preferably legal;
• strong attention to detail;
• experience using PR tools including PR media database and media monitoring platforms;
• ability to function in a collaborative organisation and be a team player;
• highly motivated and collaborative. Proactive in identifying opportunities, solving problems and driving activity forward independently;
• polite, professional, positive manner; and
• ability to handle sensitive information appropriately.