Communications Assistant

Cooley is seeking a Communications Assistant to join the Communications team.

About Cooley: Cooley is a global law firm with an expansive practice and more than 3,000 employees and partners worldwide. We value and celebrate diverse perspectives and strive to create a workplace where every individual can thrive. At the core of Cooley’s success is the exceptional talent and unwavering spirit of our people. We embrace individuality while fostering a ‘one-firm’ culture where collaboration and creativity thrive. Our people are the foundation of our success and the driving force behind everything we do.

Hybrid Schedule Philosophy: As part of the Cooley culture, we recognize and appreciate the value of being together, in person, to build comradery with others in the office and to be a contributing member of the Cooley office. However, we also appreciate the benefits and flexibility that come from remote working. As such, the default assumption for employees and partners is a hybrid schedule: some in-office presence and some work from home days absent certain essential in-office roles that require five (5) days/week in-office.

Position summary: Working closely with members of the external communications team, the Communications Assistant will provide day-to-day support for Cooley’s media relations, external communications and reputation-building efforts. The Communications Assistant will help the team identify and promote news involving Cooley, its clients and lawyers; support relationships with influential media; maintain the tools and resources that underpin an effective communications function; and assist with a range of written content and communications initiatives. Specific duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Position responsibilities: 

Media relations and external communications

·        Support the external communications team in executing proactive media relations and reputation-building initiatives across the firm

·        Monitor news and media coverage involving Cooley, its lawyers, clients, competitors and priority industries and issues

·        Prepare and distribute regular media coverage reports and other communications updates

·        Maintain and update media lists, journalist information and other media relations resources

·        Conduct research on reporters, publications, industry trends, news developments and potential communications opportunities

·        Assist with media outreach, including the preparation and distribution of press releases, deal announcements, media pitches and other communications materials

·        Support the coordination of media interviews and other reporter interactions, including scheduling and preparation of background materials

·        Help identify timely opportunities to highlight Cooley’s client work, lawyers, practices and perspectives

·        Support the drafting, editing, proofreading and posting of external communications content

·        Assist with maintaining communications calendars, trackers and reporting tools, including media activity and upcoming announcements

·        Support external communications campaigns and special projects involving earned media, social media, thought leadership and other content as needed

Team and operational support

·        Provide administrative and organizational support to the external communications team, including scheduling meetings and maintaining team materials and resources

·        Help ensure communications processes, trackers, media contacts and other team resources remain accurate and up to date

·        Coordinate effectively with colleagues across Communications, Marketing & Business Development and other firm functions

·        Manage multiple assignments and deadlines in a fast-paced environment while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail

·        Take initiative in identifying ways to improve team organization, processes and information sharing

·        All other duties as assigned or required

Skills and experience:

Required:

·        After orientation at Cooley LLP, exhibit proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite, iManage and other firm applications

·        Available to work overtime, as required

Preferred:

·        Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, English, Marketing or a related field

·        Previous internship or professional experience in public relations, communications, journalism, marketing, professional services or a related field

·        Familiarity with media monitoring, media databases or other public relations tools

Competencies:

·        Excellent attention to detail

·        Ability to organize, prioritize and coordinate multiple activities

·        Strong judgment

·        Team-player with collaborative spirit while also taking ownership of individual assignments

·        Unwavering ability to maintain confidentiality regarding firm information, projects, client data

·        High level of professionalism

·        Self-starter who is able to work in a demanding, project-based environment

·        Ability to multi-task, problem solve, work well under pressure and coordinate sophisticated marketing programs with good results

·        Ability to consistently meet deadlines

·        Passion and curiosity for current events and media, including, business, tech and legal sectors and media verticals

·        Assertive, but flexible as to style; must be able to handle tense situations and interact with various personalities and communication styles at all levels in the organization

·        Strong analytic and research and information-gathering skills

·        High energy and genuine enthusiasm for law firm marketing and communications activities and goals while maintaining a healthy, competitive spirit

·        Excellent communication skills both written and verbal

·        Ability to take comprehensive and accurate notes

·        Reliable and punctual

·        Ability to manage multiple assignments and deadlines

·        Ability to learn new systems and processes quickly

Cooley offers a competitive compensation and excellent benefits package and is committed to fair and equitable employment practices. EOE.

The expected hourly pay range for this position with a work schedule of 40 hours per week is $25.50 - $34.00 ($53,040.00 - $70,720.00 annually). Please note that final offer amount will be dependent on geographic location, applicable experience and skillset of the candidate. 

We offer a full range of elective benefits including medical, health savings account (with applicable medical plan), dental, vision, health and/or dependent care flexible spending accounts, pre-tax commuter benefits, life insurance, AD&D, long-term care coverage, backup care for children and/or adults and other parental support benefits. In addition to elective benefit options, benefited employees receive firm-paid life insurance, AD&D, LTD, short term medical benefits as well as 20 days of Paid Time Off (“PTO”) and 10 paid holidays each year. We provide generous parental leave and fertility benefits. New employees will attend a detailed benefit orientation to learn more about our many benefits and resources.