Job details

Executive Communications Writer

About Ropes & Gray

Ropes & Gray LLP is a preeminent global law firm focused on providing the highest-quality advice on our clients’ critical legal and business issues. Our global team of 2,500 talented professionals regularly helps clients meet high-stakes challenges, solve complex problems and achieve key goals. These colleagues work together across a global office network that includes offices in Boston, Chicago, Hong Kong, London, New York, San Francisco, Seoul, Shanghai, Silicon Valley, Tokyo, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.

We are a contemporary firm that can bring more than 150 years of legal and institutional history to bear on the challenges clients face in today’s 24/7 global business environment. Our collaborative approach gives our clients—which include many of the world’s most respected companies and institutions—ready access to leading corporate, litigation, transactional and regulatory lawyers whose knowledge and experience span industries and geographies.

With an international presence, we focus on a number of key industries, including private equity; asset management; life sciences and health care; investment banking; technology, media and telecommunications; and consumer and retail. Our clients include global industry leaders, financial institutions, investment firms, private equity firms, hospitals and health care organizations, educational institutions, and individuals.

We have consistently been recognized for our leading practices in many areas, including private equity, M&A, finance, asset management, real estate, tax, antitrust, life sciences, health care, intellectual property, litigation & enforcement, privacy & cybersecurity, and business restructuring.

Ropes & Gray is an equal opportunity employer.

The Executive Communications Writers is an invaluable connector of firm communities, ensuring that every member of our firm has access to the leadership and their internal messaging. This role is part of a small and impactful team that directly supports the firm’s Chair and Managing Partner and works in close collaboration with the firm’s executive board and c-suite to create engaging content for various platforms and help execute leadership’s internal communications strategy. Alongside our Chief of Staff, Executive Communications Director and Executive Editor, the Executive Communications Writers develops the internal communications and supports internal communications campaigns to advance our business objectives and strengthen our firm culture. This role collaborates with the Marketing Communications team and subject matter experts across the firm on creative and substantive communication initiatives on a variety of platforms—digital, live, multimedia, etc.

The Executive Communications Writers researches, writes and edits content for a broad range of internal and external communications, including live remarks, internal memos, video and podcast scripts, presentations, newsletters, award nominations, talking points, thought leadership pieces and event-related materials. The Executive Communications Writers ensures that “all of the dots are connected” for the firm’s messaging by marshaling the right resources, identifying key stakeholders and participants, and gathering information to shape our messages. Their creation of timely, relevant, effective and engaging communications will necessitate constant interfacing with attorneys and support team members, not only when partnering on content, but also understanding their perspectives, values and priorities. In addition, the Executive Communications Writers supports the Executive Communications Director in the execution of annual and programmatic communications planning and development.

The successful applicant will be able to grasp the nuances of a unique law firm culture, structure, suite of offerings and economics. Given the wide range of communications topics, it is imperative that this person have an interest in thought leadership and organizational psychology trends, as well as an ability to translate financial and economic headlines from our Finance Department to our firm’s various populations. This person must also be able to synthesize information into digestible narratives, connecting it to broader firm-wide strategies. Finally, the Executive Communications Writers should possess the characteristics of a resourceful and elegant writer, able to produce compelling, concise and error-free copy.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

· In collaboration with the Executive Communications Director, develop and oversee key internal communications projects that involve stakeholders from multiple firm departments.

· Provide counsel to internal clients, including the highest levels of firm leadership, on messaging and content development. Ensure that communications are clear, correct, creative, engaging and aligned with the firm’s strategic goals.

· Provide high-level reporting, writing and editing for internal and external communications that support the needs of firm leadership. Proactively seek out, identify and develop compelling, timely content. Anticipate needs, respond quickly to requests and draft materials as needed.

· Solicit input and feedback from internal clients (firm leadership, attorneys, and administrative departments such as Attorney Talent, Finance, and Practice and Business Development); proofread, edit and fact-check material on tight deadlines. For example, understand associate-focused projects and priorities by communicating with Attorney Talent, and collaborate with the firm’s Financial Planning & Analysis department to translate firm financial performance into compelling statements about the firm’s performance.

· Assist with the firm’s multimedia production by writing video and podcast scripts and/or full scripts for certain projects. Conduct interviews with contributors in advance of drafting scripts to capture appropriate voice.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED:

· BA or BS degree and 7+ years of internal communications, journalism or PR experience.

· Law firm, finance sector (such as banks, investment firms, or think tanks) or other professional services experience preferred; experience writing for senior executives.

· Must be able to learn and adopt the voice of senior executives in writing.

· Must be able to communicate effectively at all levels across all departments.

· Possess a high degree of financial acumen; well versed in a wide range of financial products and accustomed to describing financial markets and economic activity in clear, direct language.

· Superior writing and editing skills on a variety of platforms, including written communications, television/video/podcast copy and PowerPoint presentations.

· Strong listening skills to digest, process, and guide strategy and problem resolution.

· Demonstrated ability to interact comfortably with senior executives, attorneys, senior support team members and various constituent groups.

ESSENTIAL CAPABILITIES:

· Superior writing and editing skills, including experience across a wide range of distribution platforms. Accuracy is critical. Must be able to check facts with multiple sources and take responsibility for producing factually correct content.

· Ability to research and digest finance data and reporting and translate into a narrative for memos and speeches.

· Demonstrates sensitivity to partners and the ability to maintain strict confidentiality of the firm’s internal affairs.

· Ability to analyze information, identify issues, make recommendations and clearly articulate them.

· Ability to absorb internal information and translate it into persuasive, relevant, benefit-oriented messaging.

· Strong communications, project management, organizational and proofreading skills.

· Service-oriented approach: flexible, proactive management of expectations, unflappable in the face of change. Ability to think strategically and systemically.

· Proven ability to work under tight deadlines and prioritize assignments. Ability to listen, collaborate and influence others.

· Understand, internalize and function in unique corporate culture.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

No application will be considered without a cover letter.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Incumbent is expected to work the hours necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of the position. The above job description is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of essential functions, responsibilities or requirements. Firm management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs.

NY Comprehensive Total Rewards Package

Ropes & Gray is proud to offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package to our business support team members. The firm also offers comprehensive health and well-being benefits, personal and professional development, career growth opportunities and a collegial and supportive culture. The anticipated pay range for this role is $101,500 - $152,000, which represents our good faith and reasonable estimate of the starting salary range at the time of posting. In addition, this role is eligible for a discretionary bonus based on performance. The actual offered rate for this position will be determined based on job-related, non-discriminatory factors, including qualifications and experience, geographic location, education, external market data and consideration of internal equity.

Ropes & Gray Glassdoor Company Review

3.9

Ropes & Gray DE&I Review

No rating

CEO of Ropes & Gray

R. Bradford (Brad) Malt

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By Ropes & Gray

Number One, The American Lawyer "A-List," 2018 Deciding where to grow your career can be daunting. You are probably considering many factors about many firms—geography, the type of law you’re interested in practicing, and each firm’s clients, peo...

10 jobs

INDUSTRY

Law Firms

TEAM SIZE

1001-5000

LOCATION

Hybrid, based in Boston, MA

DATE POSTED

August 3, 2023