Head of Marketing and Communications Manchester, England
Job description
Established in 2000, Express Solicitors is an award-winning law firm that deals personal injury and clinical negligence claims. Based in Manchester, we serve clients nationwide. We are proud of the work we do helping injured people, and this is our core business.
We are currently ranked 93 in the Top 200 UK Law firms and are a Legal 500 Recognised Leading Firm for both Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence. We have a 5-star ranking with Trust Pilot from over 4,500 reviews, which, coming from our clients, means a lot to us.
The Head of Marketing and Communications position is a newly created senior role supporting Express Solicitors during a period of significant growth and acquisition. The postholder will work alongside the Managing Director and other Partners to head up and manage corporate communications activity for Express Solicitors and associated companies. This includes digital marketing and search, social media, media relations and internal communications.
This role requires close working with our digital marketing partners, helping to maximise ROI and assisting with the collation of metrics and reports for our significant advertising spend.
Responsibilities
To have oversight and shape the direction of our communications and brand strategy, helping to drive and deliver growth including through digital marketing.
To be the senior point of contact for our Partners for communications advice and support, reporting to the Managing Partner or his designee with any queries which arise from any aspects of work undertaken, or immediately if urgent.
To line manage a Communications Officer, supporting their training and development.
To be responsible for sharing key communications activity and results with our Partners and senior teams, including presenting at senior meetings where appropriate.
To work with the senior team to plan and execute the firm's external communications activity, including public relations proactively positioning Express Solicitors Partners and other key staff as authoritative sources for journalists on areas of importance to the firm.
To manage and ensure effective stewardship of our existing and any future agency relationships including for digital marketing, social media, PR and media monitoring.
To manage and improve our internal communications including newsletters, listening and responding to staff feedback.
To support organisational growth and change including acquisitions, working closely with and supporting our HR team.
To provide reputational support and advice, including briefing key spokespeople ahead of interviews as required.
To work with the lawyers to write and develop briefings, thought pieces and commentary, overseeing our key company announcements and releases to the media and sharing on our owned channels as appropriate.
To handle the Chambers & Partners legal submission process.
To oversee the Company’s attendance at events, such as charitable galas and conferences.
Relationships
To manage relationships with external suppliers, agencies and business partners including for digital marketing as well as other key external contacts such as charitable organisations and event organisers among others.
To manage day-to-day relationships with Partners and colleagues from across the firm, listening and responding to their needs promptly and effectively.
About You
Educated to degree level (or equivalent) qualification.
At least five years senior and strategic communications and marketing experience, likely to be within a law firm or other professional services organisation or brand.
Digital marketing experience and understanding is an essential requirement for this role.
Proven experience managing agency relationships.
Experience working in (or with) large organisations is helpful, but not essential.
Excellent written English, grammar and attention to detail is essential.
Superb organisational skills and ability to manage own and others’ time with an ability to work to deadlines, juggle multiple projects and deliver under pressure.
Media and reputation management experience (traditional and social), more broadly, a passion for the news and being in the know.
Excellent communicator with great interpersonal skills, and a can-do, roll-up sleeves attitude.
A willingness to get under the skin of a large organisation - learn how it works and how PR/communications can best support strategic goals.
Takes personal responsibility to deliver outcomes, including strong project management skills and being able to see tasks through to closure.
Excellent listening skills, able to take feedback on board and respond appropriately.
Willingness to undertake any specific training when required to do so and overall to have a responsibility towards self-development.
Salary, Hours and Benefits
We always endeavour to recruit and retain the best staff around. To do so we offer competitive remuneration packages, ongoing training and development opportunities and a wide variety of interesting and challenging work. Additionally, we also offer the following:
- Up to £52,000 per annum, depending on experience.
- Our standard working hours are 8:30am to 5:30am Monday-Thursday and 8:30am to 5pm Friday.
- 3/2 alternative working from home pattern for all staff after completing three months’ probation.
- 23 days holiday a year, rising to 26 days (3 days reserved for Christmas closure of the office)
- 3 holiday buy backs per year after 1 year of service.
- Extra day’s holiday for your birthday after 2 years’ service.
- Private medical insurance available after 2 years’ service.
- Attendance at fee earner meetings and training sessions (every other month).
- Death in Service – 2x salary.
- Active social committee with generous departmental and firm-wide social budget.
- Active training culture and various groups and events such as Diversity & Inclusion.
- Netball / Football team, 10km Manchester team and more.
- Enhanced Maternity Leave payment if you have over 1 year tenure.
- Other benefits including Employee Assistance Programme, free fruit and annual flu jab.
Recruitment Process
To apply, send a CV and covering letter to [email protected] or visit our careers page on www.expresssolicitors.co.uk/careers by noon on 27th March 2023.
Interviews will be conducted at our company head offices in Northenden, Greater Manchester or on MS Teams and will include scenario-based questioning.
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