Director of Corporate Relations

Linklaters is a global law firm, providing legal services in 20 countries and through 30 offices.

Linklaters is a people business. Being best in class in the eyes of our clients means that our people must be exceptional.

We look not only for brilliant minds, but for people who will thrive in our environment: people who love working collaboratively and demonstrate the innovative, efficient, agile, entrepreneurial, and responsible mind-set we aim to bring to every interaction.

Ours is an environment of outperformance. We achieve this not with targets and incentives, but by fostering a positive, supportive, fair, and open atmosphere.

We respect and value difference but insist on inclusivity. We celebrate all aspects of diversity and challenge any form of bias. This is vital to our ability to work as one team, with a common goal.

The team

The Corporate Relations team acts as Linklaters' central hub for all major communication activities, supporting divisional practice groups as well as leading firmwide initiatives. The team is responsible for media relations, crisis and issues management, internal communications, and thought leadership. Members work closely with senior leadership to deliver consistent, impactful messaging and uphold best practices. The team plays a key role in maintaining and enhancing the firm's global reputation.

Purpose

The Director of Corporate Relations provides strategic leadership and guidance on all aspects of Linklaters' internal and external communications. This role is responsible for shaping the firm's narrative and managing its reputation, ensuring that communications are aligned with business objectives, firm values, and Linklaters' distinct position in the market.

As a senior advisor and partner to the firm's leadership, you will oversee the development and delivery of a comprehensive, integrated communications strategy. You will champion best practices, coordinate messaging across all divisions and regions, and build an agile, high-performing communications team with measurable impact and influence.

Your key responsibilities

• Develop and execute a global corporate communications strategy that advances the firm's strategic ambitions and culture.
• Direct all media relations, maintaining positive relationships with tier-one journalists and key media outlets globally.
• Lead the response to crisis and issues communications, providing expert guidance to the firm's leadership and local teams.
• Manage the creation of high-impact content, including press releases, executive speeches and digital communications.
• Work with colleagues in the Marketing organisation and Knowledge Lawyers on firmwide thought leadership content
• Serve as a trusted communications adviser to senior practice leaders, contributing to key strategic decisions.
• Ensure the effective integration of messaging across practice groups, regions and business functions.
• Work closely with the Director of Marketing and the wider Marketing organisation
• Manage a team of communications business partners for the firm's three practice areas.
• Foster a collaborative, innovative, and high-performing team environment by mentoring and developing team members.
• Oversee agency, vendor, and budget management for all corporate communications activity.
• Assess and report on the effectiveness of communications strategies, embedding a culture of measurement and continuous improvement.

Your experience

• Significant experience in a senior corporate communications, public relations, or media relations leadership role—ideally within a global, professional services or regulated environment.
• Proven record of developing and delivering integrated communications strategies at enterprise level.
• Demonstrated expertise in managing media relations, supporting leadership in high-profile communications, and crisis/issues management.
• Extensive experience producing high-quality, impactful content for a variety of internal and external channels.
• Track record of influencing and advising senior leaders, executive teams, or boards.
• Strong experience in team leadership, mentoring, and capability development.
• Practical knowledge of communications measurement and analytics.
• Experience managing external suppliers, agencies, and budgets.
• Familiarity with current trends and innovations in communications, A.I., digital media, and reputation management.
• History of delivering communications in complex, matrixed, cross-border environments.

Additional Skills

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with clarity and impact across diverse audiences.
• Strong strategic thinking, commercial acumen, and ability to translate business objectives into communication plans.
• Outstanding stakeholder management, with confidence in challenging and influencing at all levels.
• Ability to operate under pressure, prioritise effectively, and manage multiple demands.
• Highly developed judgement, integrity, and discretion in handling sensitive and confidential information.
• Proactive, innovative, and solutions-focused approach to communications challenges.
• Demonstrable emotional intelligence, empathy, and active listening abilities.
• Ability to analyse complex issues, anticipate risks, and advise on appropriate communications strategy.
• Digital literacy, including familiarity with communications platforms, analytics, and digital publishing.
• Strong project management and organisational skills.

Technical Skills

This list of duties and responsibilities above is not exhaustive.  It is intended to describe the general content of, and requirements for, the performance of this job. As such, the role may also include the undertaking of additional tasks as required.

Application Policy

Applications and CVs (direct or via agency) are only accepted online via the portal. Queries related to our roles must be directed to the relevant recruitment team and not the partners, practices or stakeholders  for legal roles or  for business team roles).