Manager of Media Relations
(Full-time hybrid role; West Coast candidates preferred (San Diego, Los Angeles or San Francisco)
Position Overview
The Manager of Media Relations will play a vital role in expanding Fisher Phillips' media presence and thought leadership, with primary focus on the West Coast region and assigned Practice Groups and Industry Teams. As the firm has nearly doubled in size in recent years, this position addresses the growing need for dedicated media strategy and execution to support our expanding footprint of more than 800 attorneys. Working closely with the Director of Media Relations, firm attorneys, and the broader Marketing and Business Development team, this role is responsible for developing and executing proactive media strategies, strengthening relationships with reporters, and ensuring Fisher Phillips remains a go-to resource for labor and employment news and commentary. This position reports to the Director of Media Relations.
Key Responsibilities
Media Strategy & Planning
- Develop and implement strategic media relations plans to elevate the firm's profile on the West Coast and nationally.
- Create targeted media strategies for assigned Practice Groups and Industry Teams.
- Proactively identify opportunities for media coverage in key markets and industries.
- Collaborate with broader marketing and business development teams to ensure messaging consistency and alignment with firm priorities.
- Monitor media trends and competitive coverage to inform strategy and identify opportunities.
Media Relations & Relationship Building
- Build and nurture strong relationships with reporters, editors, and producers covering labor and employment, workplace, and business news.
- Serve as primary media contact for West Coast offices and assigned practice areas.
- Respond to media inquiries and coordinate interview requests with attorneys.
- Position Fisher Phillips attorneys as subject matter experts and thought leaders.
- Maintain media contact database and track relationship-building activities.
- Cultivate new media relationships to expand the firm's reach in target markets.
Content Development & Communications
- Draft and edit press releases, media pitches, and bylined content in collaboration with attorneys and practice groups.
- Develop compelling story angles and narrative frameworks for media outreach.
- Create media advisories, statements, and other external communications.
- Write and edit content for external website news announcements and coverage highlights.
- Ensure all media-facing content maintains brand voice and messaging consistency.
- Partner with attorneys to develop thought leadership content for media placement.
Media Training & Interview Support
- Partner with attorneys to prepare for media interviews and speaking opportunities.
- Provide media coaching and message development for spokespeople.
- Conduct prep sessions and briefings before interviews.
- Monitor and attend media interviews when appropriate.
- Provide post-interview follow-up and relationship maintenance.
Day-to-Day Media Operations
- Oversee daily media tasks including coverage tracking, reporting, and monitoring.
- Schedule and coordinate media interviews and speaking opportunities.
- Conduct topic research and competitive intelligence gathering.
- Maintain media coverage records and compile regular reports.
- Manage media monitoring tools and reporting systems.
- Draft summaries and analyses of media coverage for internal stakeholders.
Team Leadership & Collaboration
- Serve as a mentor and resource to the media relations coordinator.
- Collaborate with Media Relations Directors on strategic initiatives.
- Partner with marketing team members on integrated campaigns.
- Support business development efforts through strategic media placement.
- Contribute to team processes, best practices, and continuous improvement.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or related field.
- 7+ years of experience in media relations, public relations, or communications.
- Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills with proven experience drafting press releases, pitches, and media content.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with strong attention to detail.
- Experience developing media strategies that support broader business and marketing goals.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities while balancing strategic and tactical work.
- Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
- Strong news judgment and understanding of what makes a story newsworthy.
- Travel of up to 15% for team meetings, media events, and conferences.
Preferred
- Experience in a law firm, professional services, or agency environment,
- Established media relationships on the West Coast and/or with national legal, business, or labor and employment reporters,
- Knowledge of labor and employment law topics and workplace issues,
- Familiarity with legal industry media landscape,
- Experience with media monitoring and analytics tools,
- Crisis communications or issues management experience,
Core Competencies
- Media relations expertise.
- Strategic communications planning.
- Relationship building and networking.
- Content creation and storytelling.
- News judgment and media savvy.
- Project management and organization.
- Collaborative mindset.
- Proactive and solutions-focused approach.
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Attention to detail.
- Mentoring and coaching.
- Business acumen.
- Adaptability and flexibility.
Success Metrics
- Quantity and quality of media placements and coverage.
- Growth in West Coast and regional media presence.
- Strength of media relationships as measured by response rates and engagement.
- Positive attorney feedback on media support and preparation.
- Timely execution of media campaigns and initiatives.
- Coverage in target publications and outlets.
- Attorney visibility and thought leadership positioning.
- Coordination efficiency and stakeholder satisfaction.
- Contribution to business development and marketing goals.
- Effective mentorship of media relations coordinator.
Working Environment
- Fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with frequent last-minute requests.
- Collaboration with attorneys, marketing team, and leadership.
- Regular communication with media contacts across multiple time zones.
- Occasional evening or weekend work to accommodate media deadlines or breaking news.
- Hybrid work environment with flexibility.
FCA statement
Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with both the FCO and the California Fair Chance Act (FCA).
Equal Opportunity Employer
Fisher Phillips is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including related medical conditions), gender, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship status, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, age, disability, or any other protected status, in compliance with all applicable laws.
Compensation
The salary range for this position is $125,000 - $135,000. Actual base pay within this range will be determined by several components, including but not limited to, location, relevant experience, internal equity, skills, qualifications, and other job-related factors permitted by law.
Why Join Us
At Fisher Phillips, exceptional talent is the foundation of our success. Joining our team means collaborating in a professional, dynamic environment leveraging cutting-edge technology. Our leadership fosters professional growth and provides opportunities to challenge yourself.
Our comprehensive benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) with profit sharing, 18 days of vacation, accrue 10 sick days each calendar year and 10 paid holidays per benefit year. Wellness programs and 24/7 telehealth services support your overall well-being. Visit www.fisherphillips.com to learn more.
Additional Notes
The statements in this position description are not necessarily all-inclusive. Additional duties and responsibilities may be assigned, and requirements may vary from time to time.
As part of our initial screening process, we may use an AI tool to compare the skills and job titles from your resume with the job description, using machine learning or artificial intelligence based on their contextual meaning and relevancy. This is NOT an automated employment decision tool (‘AEDT’) and will not be used to make selection decisions. It is only used (occasionally) in addition to manual screening.
If you are a resident of New York City and would like to request an alternative evaluation process or reasonable accommodation, please email staffrecruiting@fisherphillips.com.
Relocation costs are not covered. We are only accepting direct applicants; third-party recruiters or agencies will not be considered. No phone inquiries, please.
