Public Relations Coordinator

Summary

The Public Relations Coordinator will be a core member of Sidley’s dynamic PR team. The incumbent will play an active role in a variety of activities including securing approvals for media engagement, writing press releases and talking points, developing reports on PR efforts, monitoring for media placements. The Public Relations Coordinator will serve as a resource to guide others within the firm on PR policies. The incumbent must be proactive, a self-starter, an exceptional writer and verbal communicator in addition to a being a strong team player with excellent organizational skills and the ability to successfully juggle competing priorities simultaneously.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for supporting the implementation of public relations activities that are consistent with the firm’s global PR strategy, organizational needs, business goals and the Sidley brand
• Assists in securing approval for lawyers to do media interviews in accordance with the firm’s media policy
• Conducts media outreach and handles research projects as assigned
• Distills complex messages to create written materials including but not limited to press releases, media pitches and message documents that are error free and appropriate for the intended audience
• Proactively identifies opportunities for the firm to earn positive media coverage by developing original story/pitch ideas
• Identifies and secures opportunities for lawyers to publish byline articles through independent research and conducts media outreach to secure such publishing opportunities
• Prepares reports on PR activity
• Handles administrative projects including media coverage monitoring, tracking and reporting as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the Duties and Responsibilities (Duties) above satisfactorily and meet the requirements below. The requirements listed below are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. If you need such an accommodation, please email staffrecruiting@sidley.com (current employees should contact Human Resources).

Education and/or Experience: 

Required:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Communication, English, Journalism, Public Relations, or related field
• A minimum of 2 years of public relations experience in a PR agency, law firm, professional services or other business setting
• Excellent writing, organizational and project management skills
• Knowledge of AP style

Preferred:

• Prior law firm experience

Other Skills and Abilities:

The following will also be required of the successful candidate:

• Strong organizational skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Good judgment
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Able to work harmoniously and effectively with others
• Able to preserve confidentiality and exercise discretion
• Able to work under pressure
• Able to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities

Sidley Austin LLP is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer