Manager, Asia Pacific Internal Communications

Role purpose

Work with the Director of Internal Communications to support in the delivery of the Firm’s internal communication strategy across the Firm’s Asia Pacific region. The successful candidate  will  be responsible for providing both strategic and tactical internal communications advice and support, with responsibility for leader and partner communications, town halls, lateral hiring announcements, people related news and initiatives, script and speech writing etc. They will also support local offices with their internal communications planning and announcements. This role will work closely with the Director of Internal Communications on rolling out firmwide projects in the region, with occasional crisis management support, as well as the Director of Asia Pacific BDMC with strategic regional BD / client-focused initiatives.

This is a hands-on role, working closely with the Firm’s Asia Pacific leaders, including across practices and functions, and would suit a highly proactive individual with excellent interpersonal, influencing and project management skills. The role-holder would need to be a strategic and creative thinker who is passionate about story-telling, and can build strong and effective working relationships with stakeholders at all levels and across cultures. Strong writing skills are a must as is the ability to work collaboratively.

Main responsibilities

• Work with leadership to ensure their business objectives and the Firm’s strategy are appropriately and consistently communicated across the region. Help to embed a stronger listening culture across the region.
• Draft engaging content and communications / engagement plans tailored to different audiences. This includes the regional newsletter, leader and partner communications, lateral hiring announcements, people related news and initiatives, video storyboarding, script and speech writing, development of talking points, end of year party etc.
• Proactively source stories from across the region and consider novel and dynamic ways to bring these stories to life and engage our people.
• Use data, where possible, to drive and inform content decisions, including content effectiveness and cut-through, and employee engagement strategies.
• Continue to leverage internal communication channels to share key client wins, new mandates, panel appointments etc. with a particular focus on our transactional capabilities. Use creative, high quality story-telling and initiatives across channels to share client successes / case studies and promote the Asia Pacific client listening program.
• Work with the Internal Communications Director to assist in the management and the deployment/rollout of firmwide / client-focused initiatives and campaigns across regional and local markets.
• Ensure all internal communication is consistent with the Firm’s vision, strategy, key messages, and style guide
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal communication skills during all interactions with stakeholders and colleagues

Travel requirements

Travel to office locations and events if required

Technical skills, qualifications and experience

• Graduate degree in Communications or related discipline
• Must be able to write compelling copy, when needed, to react to rapid change or crisis
• A communications expert, with significant experience operating at a senior level within a high profile, dynamic and fast-moving organisation, ideally in professional services
• Strong project management skills with significant experience leading large-scale projects and the ability to manage competing priorities
• Experience operating at manager-level working across multiple geographies
• A proven track record of defining and successfully implementing engaging and outstanding communication strategies
• Channel the Baker McKenzie brand, identity and culture through a single communications voice
• Excellent verbal and written English communication skills are a must. Fluency in Mandarin is a plus but not essential.