Brand, Communications and Marketing Manager APAC

The Role

This is an opportunity for an experienced, energetic and driven professional to help develop and execute Clifford Chance's Brand, Communications and Marketing strategy in the APAC region. The region is an important part of Clifford Chance's global strategy, and a critical part of achieving our ambitious goals will be delivering an innovative and sustained internal and external communication strategy that clearly differentiates the firm in the APAC market.

Reporting and work relationships

• Reports to the Head of Brand, Communications and Marketing APAC, with a dotted line into the Business Development and Marketing lead for Australia.
• Serves as the point of contact for all Brand, Communications & Marketing (BCM) needs in Australia.
• Works closely with the business development team, partners, lawyers and wider business professional functions across the region.
• Partners closely with members of the BCM global team
• Works with external suppliers (agency and professional associations) when needed

Overview of responsibilities 

The Brand, Communication and Marketing (BCM) Team in APAC currently comprises a team of 5 people based in Hong Kong: an associate director, manager, coordinator, events manager and a graphic designer. This is a new role based in Sydney which will focus on working with the department head to enhance the profile, reputation and brand of the firm and key practice areas across the region. In addition to the regional remit, the role will have specific focus on advancing our brand in Australia.    

Objectives include:

• Design and deliver data-driven communications and marketing programs which: (1) engage priority audiences (clients, current/future workforce & alumni) in the Clifford Chance narrative (2) drive our firm’s business objectives and, (3) advance and protect the firm’s brand.
• Cascading firm and regional positioning and messages on specific initiatives and projects through the appropriate channels in APAC, both internally and externally.
• Supporting corporate communications and reputation management, business continuity planning, issues management, and change management activities.
• Drafting and advising on strategic executive communications in the region for the Australia Office Managing Partner with support from the General Manager.
• Supporting firm profile activity, marketing campaigns, and design. This includes conceptualising local campaigns to amplify key events and initiatives and managing the local activation of regional and global brand initiatives.
• Proactively identifying, critiquing and managing communication opportunities internally and externally, aligned with the firm's strategy, including focus areas for business growth.
• Enhancing the profile, reputation, and brand of our firm and key areas across Asia Pacific and supporting the firm's business development initiatives across the region, both externally and internally.
• Effectively building and managing local media relationships and identify opportunities for profile building.
• Providing advice and support to partners and lawyers in the identification and articulation of key messages.

Specific areas of responsibility:

Media Engagement and Execution: Develop communications plans to build and raise the firm's profile in APAC, with focus on Australia. This includes analysing media opportunities, building key media relationships, scheduling and staffing interviews, coordinating and prepping key stakeholders, and liaising with Business Development and the global media teams as necessary. Regularly assess progress against the plan and adjust as needed.

Media Materials Drafting: Draft media materials, including firm announcements and deal releases for APAC offices.

Content Development: Create messaging and draft content for various channels, including executive communications, social media, internal stories, and marketing campaigns. Utilise digital tools to enhance content creation and distribution efficiency.

Digital and Social Media Management: Oversee digital and social media channels, including video content. Advise business professionals and lawyers in Australia on maximising their profiles on digital channels and manage risks related to these platforms. Provide creative input into our social media presence and use analytics to maximise opportunities and optimise digital presence.

Strategic Advice and Training: Provide strategic advice, counsel, and training to stakeholders (including the BCM and Business Development teams) on media and social media opportunities. Use analytics and digital platforms to identify and maximise opportunities. Potentially provide or support on media training to spokespeople of the firm,

Reputation and Crisis Management: Develop and implement strategies for managing reputational or PR crises in APAC. This includes preparing crisis communication plans, coordinating with relevant stakeholders, and acting as the primary point of contact during a crisis. Utilise digital monitoring tools to swiftly identify potential issues and respond effectively to mitigate any negative impact on the firm's reputation.

Key BCM Contact: Act as the primary BCM contact for the Australia OMP and Australia offices, ensuring the OMP is supported, particularly concerning internal communications.

Brand Ambassador: Serve as a brand ambassador and custodian by guiding the business on appropriate materials and correct branding.

BCM Team Management: Support the BCM team management, including attending regular team meetings at local, regional, and global levels, and helping develop other team members.

Employee Branding for Graduate Recruitment: Develop and implement strategies to enhance the firm's employee branding in Australia to support graduate recruitment. This includes creating compelling content and leveraging social media and other digital platforms to attract top talent.

Personal Competencies:

• Professional, personable, and mature with the ability to work effectively with individuals at all levels of the organisation, including senior executives. Able to foster, enhance, and contribute to a team environment.
• Skilled communicator, able to articulate and convince both verbally and in writing.
• Well-informed on current events, news, and business trends, and commercially aware.
• Capable of managing multiple priorities and projects, meeting deadlines, and maintaining high standards.
• Adept at calmly handling urgent situations as they arise, with the flexibility to adapt to fast-changing dynamics.
• Possess the ability to see the big picture while paying close attention to detail when required.
• Accessible and client-oriented.

Professional Skills:

• Proven experience in developing communications and marketing strategies for global and complex organisations.
• Good understanding of the APAC region and the Australia media landscape
• Experienced in understanding and using data and analytics to influence and challenge the firm's approach to Marketing & Communication.
• Commercially aware and intellectually curious, sensitive to the concerns and needs of internal and external clients, both locally and internationally.
• Skilled communicator, able to influence and convince both online and in person.
• Willingness to take on a range of tasks to achieve the highest standards.
• Consistently meets deadlines.
• Accessible and responsive to colleagues and other stakeholders.
• Skilled in writing internal communications to elicit the appropriate response.
• Ability to work 'virtually' with global teams.
• Creative thinker, able to produce unique, appropriate, and memorable marketing initiatives.
• Extensive experience in engaging with and handling media, with a deep understanding of media, news, and editorial priorities.
• Proficient in social media, particularly LinkedIn, with an understanding of its opportunities and risks.
• Excellent English drafting, writing, and editing skills, with experience in creating content for various channels, including internal communications and social media.
• Takes ownership of tasks, meets deadlines, and manages stakeholders effectively.
• Comfortable with technology; filming and video production skills are a plus.

Who we are

We are one of the largest international law firms in the world. With over 30 offices across the globe, we strive to exceed the expectations of our clients, providing them with the highest-quality advice and legal insight, which combines the firm’s global standards with in-depth local expertise.

Our firm, work and people span jurisdictions, cultures, and languages. We offer our clients a truly international perspective. We believe every career should be rewarding and stimulating - full of opportunities to learn, thrive, and grow. That’s why we’re so proud of our inclusive, friendly, and team-based approach to work.

You’ll find our clients in commercial and industrial sectors, the financial investor community, governments, regulators, trade bodies, and not-for-profit organisations. But no matter who they are or why they’ve reached out to us, we provide a world-class service every step of the way. And that’s possible thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit and conscientious approach to work that you’ll find across all of our teams.

Whichever area of the business you join, you’ll become an integral part an innovative, diverse and ambitious team of people. Clifford Chance is a place where the brightest minds and the best of colleagues meet.

Equal opportunities statement

At Clifford Chance, we understand that our true asset is our people. Inclusion is good for our team and their families, our firm and society.

We are committed to treating all employees and applicants fairly and equally regardless of their gender, gender identity and expression, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour, national or ethnic origin, social or economic background, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation, or age.  This applies to recruitment and selection, terms and conditions of employment including pay, promotion, training, transfer and every other aspect of employment.

We have a variety of flourishing employee networks. These networks are a place for colleagues to share experiences and advocate for change wherever they see an opportunity for improvement.

Our goal is to deliver an equality of opportunity, an equality of aspiration and an equality of experience to everyone who works in our firm. 

Find out more about our inclusive culture here