Director, Marketing & Communications

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (Blakes), one of Canada’s largest and most successful law firms, has an immediate opening for an experienced professional to join the Client Relations & Marketing department as the Director of Marketing & Communications. This is a national position based in our Toronto office.  

Reporting to the Chief Officer, Client Relations & Marketing, this role directs the development, oversight and execution of Firm communications, both internal and external, ensuring the protection and continuous enhancement of the Blakes image, reputation and resulting profitability.

The Director, Marketing & Communications must ensure the alignment of Blakes communications to the Firm’s broader strategic objectives, from both a media and content perspective. This requires insight to, and overall strategic input and oversight on, all external and key internal communications and related delivery media. This requires strong collaboration and influence across all legal practices and administrative functions within the organization as well as insight to current and emerging practices or influences in the broader marketplace.

Primary responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to, the areas below:

Brand Management

• Define, oversee and enforce standards, guidelines and policies related to the application and use of the Blakes brand

• Liaise regularly with Firm leadership, the Chief Officer, Client Relations & Marketing, and Business Development Directors to stay abreast of Firm direction, priorities, practices and business development initiatives

  Communications Strategy

• Design and propose both annual and longer term external communication strategies and plans that encompass all required national and international communications, ensuring the impact and alignment of messages to further the Firm’s reputation and prominence in all of the markets in which Blakes operates

• Provide input into annual internal communication strategies and plans that encompass and align all key messages delivered to Blakes legal professionals and staff; provide expertise in the identification of audiences and appropriate vehicles for delivering key messages

• Design and oversee an effective annual planning process and monitor the execution and effectiveness of these plans, including stakeholder engagement and alignment

  Communications Media

• Ensure the Firm remains abreast of all communications media and guide the acquisition, development and use of existing and new media tools and mechanisms, continuously improving the delivery of content to clients and the broader market

• Develop communications standards and practices for all media employed by the Firm

• Accountable for the strategy, design and continuous enhancement of blakes.com, and partnering with information technology resources to ensure the seamless operation of the Firm’s website and that all key stakeholders are equipped to engage and participate in the management of this tool as appropriate

• Accountable for guiding the development and oversight of content and posting standards for all media, including social media

  Communications Content

• Manage the development, distribution and maintenance of all external print, multi-media, and electronic collateral for the Firm

• Develop and oversee the strategy and content management of the Blakes website, other content and social media; ensure that content is current and provides relevant information to clients and prospects and that lawyers are enabled to participate as appropriate

• Generate content for Firm’s internal website (BlakeNet), including, but not limited to, home page content, management reports, videos, etc.

• Support internal functions (HR, IT, Finance, KM, Client Relations & Marketing) in the development of communications content, planning and execution

• Proactively prepare and manage or support critical or crisis communications, both external and internal, as required

Marketing

           Digital Marketing

• Develop ongoing implementation/enablement of digital marketing strategies that align with the Firm’s broader marketing objectives and strategies

  Marketing Assessment and Support

• Working collaboratively with Client Relations & Marketing teams and Firm leadership, evaluate annual communications, campaigns, advertising and digital marketing initiatives in relation to the goals/objectives established (operational, reputational and financial)

• Support initiatives relating to employee engagement (i.e., surveys, awards and recognition) and other award submissions for lawyers and the Firm (i.e., Top 100 Employers submission).

People Management and Administration

• Lead the Communications & Marketing team (Digital Marketing, Creative Services, Graphic Design, Events, CRM (InterAction) and Content) by providing regular guidance, performance feedback, coaching and mentoring, and ensuring that appropriate work is delegated and delivered effectively

• Facilitate regular internal meetings with team members to collaborate and drive forward communications and marketing initiatives, including identifying opportunities for collaboration across other administrative and professional groups

• Facilitate meetings within the Client Relations & Marketing department and with other departments to maintain open communication and collaboratively advance joint initiatives

• Ensure that there are appropriate and well-maintained business continuity, knowledge processes and document management systems in place

• Oversee all assigned deliverables and related financial objectives and budgets, and provide input on full Client Relations & Marketing budget

• Liaise regularly with the Chief Officer, Client Relations & Marketing to apprise of status of activities and initiatives

Qualifications

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in journalism, marketing, public relations, communications or a closely related field from an accredited institution is required, along with a minimum 10 years of communications/marketing experience

• Legal or professional services communications experience is preferred, as is an advanced degree

• Bilingual capability is an asset

Skills/Abilities

• Exceptional written and oral communications skills

• Strong team leadership and team engagement skills

• Strong interpersonal skills, including patience, tact, discretion and judgement are required

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and influence for results: includes establishing rapport and working effectively across diverse stakeholder groups, both internal and external

• Demonstrated track record of developing strategies and priorities, implementation and tracking/measuring ROI of activities and initiatives

• Strong understanding of communication design concepts and the ability to work effectively with designers, photographers and content experts to produce compelling messages and communications products

• Strong proficiency with both existing and emerging communication media and software technologies, including CRM

• Critical and creative thinking to ensure communication media and content are both on point and deliver the required impact, including demonstrated skills in copy editing

• Focused on continuous improvement

• Receptive to taking instruction, openness to new ideas and openness to constructive feedback

• Ability to work both independently and in a cross-functional team environment with multiple stakeholders

• Strong ability to juggle multiple priorities and deadlines, fostering teamwork and collaboration among colleagues