Communications Project Specialist

Vacancy | Communications Project Specialist (Johannesburg)

The Communications Project Specialist is responsible for planning, managing, and delivering strategic communications projects across the firm. The role oversees the coordination and execution of external communications initiatives that support the firm's strategic objectives and strengthen its reputation in the market. It requires the effective management of project timelines, resources, and stakeholders to ensure the successful delivery of integrated communications campaigns across multiple platforms and jurisdictions. The role also has responsibility for managing the full lifecycle of legal directory and rankings submissions, working closely with external consultants, partners, and internal stakeholders to maximise the firm's market recognition.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Communications Project Management

• Oversee the successful planning, execution, and delivery of strategic communications projects.

• Lead communications projects from conception to completion, ensuring delivery on time, within scope, and within budget.

• Develop integrated communication plans to support firm initiatives, strategic campaigns, thought leadership, rankings announcements, and other key firm priorities.

• Develop and manage project plans, timelines, and resource allocations, monitoring progress against key milestones and proactively mitigating risks.

• Coordinate cross-functional teams and stakeholders across various jurisdictions to ensure effective collaboration, clear communication, and successful project outcomes.

• Monitor project performance, resolve issues, and provide regular status updates to stakeholders.

• Ensure all communications projects align with organisational objectives, brand standards, and quality expectations.

• Ensure all communications and marketing collateral comply with the firm's brand standards, editorial guidelines, and risk management requirements.

Content development and execution

• Develop high-quality, accurate, and engaging content across a range of print and digital platforms, ensuring alignment with the firm's brand, strategic objectives, and editorial standards.

• Create compelling written and visual content for a variety of communications and marketing initiatives, including thought leadership, articles, client publications, brochures, guides, and campaign materials.

• Manage the end-to-end development, review, approval, and publication of thought leadership content in collaboration with internal stakeholders.

• Repurpose content into multiple formats and channels to maximise reach, engagement, and return on content investment.

• Oversee the content management and maintenance of marketing collateral, including brochures, guides, and other client-facing materials, ensuring accuracy and consistency.

• Coordinate stakeholder reviews and approvals to ensure content is delivered accurately and within agreed timelines.

• Monitor content quality and effectiveness, maintaining high editorial standards and achieving positive stakeholder feedback on relevance, impact, and execution.

• Manage the publication and maintenance of content across the firm's owned communication channels, including the website, intranet, and other internal communication platforms.

External Communications

• Foster clear, consistent, and effective communication with internal teams and external stakeholders to support the firm's strategic objectives.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders to facilitate collaboration and the timely development of high-quality content.

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with external stakeholders, including agencies, suppliers, and other service providers, to support communications and marketing initiatives.

• Manage agency deliverables, timelines, budgets, and service levels to ensure agreed outcomes are achieved and projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the firm's quality standards.

• Act as a trusted communications partner, providing advice and coordination to ensure messaging is aligned, consistent, and reflects the firm's brand and values.

• Facilitate effective stakeholder engagement by ensuring timely communication, responsiveness, and the proactive management of expectations.

Rankings and market recognition

• Manage the full lifecycle of legal directory and rankings submissions in collaboration with external consultants, partners, and internal stakeholders.

• Coordinate with external rankings consultants, partners, and other internal stakeholders to manage high-quality, compelling submissions.

• Manage the review and approval process with partners and key stakeholders, ensuring timely feedback and sign-off.

• Monitor directory requirements, submission criteria, and market developments, providing guidance and recommendations to enhance the firm's rankings performance.

• Analyse rankings outcomes and prepare reports identifying trends, strengths, opportunities, and areas for improvement.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with legal directory researchers, external consultants, and internal stakeholders to support the firm's rankings strategy.

• Maintain accurate records, submission databases, and historical rankings information to support future submissions and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Develop and execute integrated marketing and communications campaigns to promote the firm's rankings, awards, and recognitions, enhancing brand visibility and market positioning.

• Create compelling campaigns across digital, social media, PR, website, and internal channels to showcase the firm's rankings achievements and reinforce its market-leading reputation.

Research and Analysis

• Measure, monitor, and evaluate the effectiveness and impact of communications and marketing initiatives against defined objectives and key performance indicators.

• Analyse the performance of communications projects, including thought leadership, accolades and rankings, marketing collateral, content repurposing, brochures, and other strategic campaigns.

• Track, interpret, and report on key communications metrics to assess the effectiveness of content, campaigns, and stakeholder engagement.

• Prepare comprehensive reports, dashboards, and presentations that provide actionable insights, identify trends, and support data-driven decision-making.

• Develop recommendations for continuous improvement based on performance analysis, stakeholder feedback, and industry best practice.

• Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and emerging communications practices to identify opportunities for innovation and enhance the firm's market positioning.

• Evaluate return on investment (ROI) and the overall effectiveness of communications initiatives, ensuring alignment with the firm's strategic objectives.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, Public Relations or a related field.

• 3 – 5 years' experience in communications, corporate communications, content marketing, public relations, or a related communications environment.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

• Strong project management and organisational skills.

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.

• Strong editorial and proofreading ability.

• Experience working with senior executives or professional services firms advantageous.

• Experience managing legal directory submissions would be advantageous.

Skills and Competencies:

• Project management and organisational skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Stakeholder engagement and relationship management

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• Creativity and innovation

• Attention to detail

• Ability to synthesise and present complex information

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment

• Ability to work effectively within a staggered workflow

• Collaboration and teamwork

• Client service orientation

• Self-motivated and proactive