Senior Executive Communications Writer

Title: Senior Executive Communications Writer

Location: US-MA-Boston | US-NY-New York

Job Description:

About Ropes & Gray

Ropes & Gray is a preeminent global law firm. The firm has been ranked in the top three on The American Lawyer's prestigious A-List for eight consecutive years and #1 on Law.com's UK A-List twice in the past three years-rankings that honor the "best of the best" law firms.

The firm has approximately 2,500 lawyers and professionals serving clients in major centers of business, finance, technology, and government in Boston, Chicago, Dublin, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, New York, Paris, San Francisco, Seoul, Shanghai, Silicon Valley, Singapore, Tokyo and Washington, D.C.

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

Ropes & Gray is an equal opportunity employer.

Overview

The Senior Executive Communications Writer is a member of the communications team within the firm's Marketing and Business Development department. The team is responsible for developing and executing internal and external communications that advance topline initiatives, further the firm's business objectives, communicate achievements, and increase external visibility.

A trusted thought partner, the Senior Executive Communications writer works with firm leadership, attorneys, and the wider support team to research, write, and edit content for a broad range of internal and external communications. This includes supporting the development, drafting, and refining of high-impact communications on behalf of firm leaders.

The Senior Executive Communications Writer ensures that "all the dots are connected" for the firm's messaging by marshaling the right resources, identifying key stakeholders and participants, and gathering information to shape messages. The successful applicant should possess the skills of an elegant writer, master proofreader, and resourceful and persistent news reporter, able to produce compelling, concise, and error-free copy, often in time-sensitive situations. They will also grasp the nuances of a unique law firm culture, understand the expectations and standards of senior executives, and enjoy collaborating with others.

Responsibilities

• Work with the Director of Executive Communications to draft remarks, talking points, internal memos, video scripts, and other executive-level communications for a variety of audiences. Speechwriting experience is essential.
• Support the planning and execution of executive communications for key events, such as annual meeting and town halls.
• Provide high-level reporting, research, writing, editing for internal and external communications that support the needs of firm leadership and further the firm's business objectives. Proofread, edit and fact check material on tight deadline.
• Collaborate closely with the communications team to understand messaging goals, voice, and tone.
• Translate complex information into concise and engaging communications.
• Manage sensitive and confidential information with discretion, ensuring communications are accurate and appropriate for their intended audience.
• Proactively seek out, identify, and develop compelling, timely content.
• Solicit input and feedback from internal clients (firm leadership, attorneys, practice and business development team members).
• Develop and oversee key internal communications projects that involve stakeholders from multiple firm departments.
• Provide counsel to internal clients on messaging and content development to ensure that communications are clear, accurate, and aligned with the firm's strategic goals.
• Assist the broader Marketing and Business Development team with writing needs, including drafting intranet and website copy, ranking and award submissions, press releases, and other marketing materials.
• Assist with the firm's multimedia production by writing video and podcast scripts. Conduct interviews with subjects in advance of drafting scripts to capture appropriate voice.
• Anticipate needs and respond quickly to requests.

Qualifications

• BA or BS degree.
• Eight to ten years of communications, journalism or PR/marketing experience.
• Law firm or professional services experience preferred; experience writing for and to senior executives, including for large-scale business meetings.
• Must be able to communicate effectively and exert influence at all levels across all departments.
• Superior writing and editing skills on a variety of platforms, including written communications, television/video/podcast copy, remarks and PowerPoint presentations.
• Strong listening skills to digest, process, and guide strategy and problem resolution.
• Executive presence and demonstrated ability to interact comfortably with senior executives, attorneys, senior support team colleagues, and various constituent groups.

ESSENTIAL CAPABILITIES:

• Superior writing and editing skills, including experience across a wide range of distribution platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to write and edit high-quality content for senior leaders under tight deadlines. Accuracy is critical. Must be able to check facts with multiple sources and take responsibility for producing factually correct content.
• Ability to digest complex ideas and translate into understandable, compelling writing that is persuasive, effective and tailored to specific audiences.
• A willingness to experiment, be creative and suggest new ideas.
• Demonstrates sensitivity to partners and the ability to maintain strict confidentiality of the firm's internal affairs. High level of professionalism, discretion, and judgment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and collaborate across functions and levels.
• 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.

Compensation and 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 listed below and 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.

Boston: $107,100 - $163,350

New York: $112,200 - $171,150

Working Conditions

This position requires hybrid on-site presence as an essential function of the role. Consistent and predictable on-site presence is required for ongoing business continuity, professional development and effective collaboration with colleagues and management.

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