Media Relations Senior Specialist

About the role

A hybrid work schedule is available for this highly visible position. The Media Relations Senior Specialist plays a key role on the team by building relationships across Marketing, Communications, Business Development, and with the firm’s attorneys to identify, pitch, and secure coverage that raises Nixon Peabody’s reputation in mainstream, industry-focused, and legal trade publications.

A career at Nixon Peabody offers the opportunity to do work that matters, using your knowledge to shape what’s ahead, innovate, and learn in a dynamic, energizing environment that promotes success for clients and colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Build relationships with attorneys, Communications, and Business Development colleagues to identify newsworthy industry trends, firm-advised deals, litigation milestones, and other story ideas that raise the visibility of the firm and its attorneys.
• Proactively pitch story ideas, expert commentary, and thought leadership to reporters, editors, and producers at target outlets.
• Cultivate and maintain direct relationships with journalists at priority mainstream, industry, and legal publications.
• Analyze editorial calendars from priority publications and identify opportunities for bylined articles, third-party commentary, and expert sourcing.
• Support the development and execution of integrated PR campaigns tied to firm strategic priorities, practice group initiatives, and industry team efforts.
• Serve as a point of contact for inbound media inquiries, coordinating attorney responses and routing requests appropriately and in a timely manner.
• Assist team members with developing briefing sheets, talking points, and interview prep materials for attorneys.
• Support attorney media coaching and interview preparation, including pre-interview walkthroughs when needed.
• Coordinate media training opportunities for attorneys in partnership with internal team members or external agencies.
• Write press releases on a regular basis and publish to the firm’s website.
• Create internal- and external-facing write-ups for media mentions of the firm and its attorneys, raising visibility of coverage across the firm.
• Repurpose media coverage into content for LinkedIn, internal newsletters, attorney bios, and other firm channels in coordination with the social media and digital teams.
• Support storytelling around pro bono, social impact, and well-being initiatives.
• Identify key media targets and build and maintain media lists for targeted journalist engagement.
• Manage daily media monitoring and coverage tracking through related tools (e.g., Meltwater, Cision, and Muck Rack).
• Maintain and improve the Media Relations team’s document management system and reporting functions.
• Prepare regular reports on media coverage, share of voice, and campaign performance for firm leadership, practice groups, and industry teams.
• Partner with practice groups and industry teams to align media activity with their strategic priorities and business development goals.
• Support event-related media outreach around firm conferences, sponsored programming, and other high-profile activities.
• Assist with issues management and reactive media matters, including drafting holding statements and helping coordinate internal responses.
• Coordinate with external PR agencies or vendors as needed.
• Apply AI and emerging technology tools to enhance media workflows, including drafting support, media list-building, and monitoring.
• Stay current on trends in legal media, industry publications, and PR best practices, and share insights with the team and appropriate stakeholders.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in journalism and/or public relations, preferably within a law firm, public relations agency, or a professional services environment.
• Experience with social media management encouraged.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, or a related field required. Experience in lieu of a degree will be considered.
• Proficient writing, editing, and proofreading skills. Ability to distill complex details into succinct information for a range of audiences.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to build productive relationships with personnel at all levels, including attorneys and key stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously without compromising quality.
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure with strict timelines.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and work productively with a variety of personalities.
• Technology fluency across tools including AI platforms, media-related tools, and digital collaboration and content management systems.

Location

Albany, NY; Boston, MA; Manchester, NH; New York City, NY; Providence, RI; Rochester, NY; Washington, DC

Pay

The anticipated annual salary range for this position, depending on location, is as follows:

• Albany, NY: $70,500 to $104,500
• Manchester, NH: $70,500 to $104,500
• Providence, RI: $70,500 to $104,500
• Rochester, NY: $70,500 to $104,500
• Boston, MA: $77,500 to $114,950
• Washington, DC: $77,500 to $114,950
• New York, NY: $85,000 to $126,500

In addition to a standard benefits package, this role may be eligible for additional contingent compensation based on factors such as work performance, geographic location, work experience, education, and qualifications.