Communications & Events Advisor - Asia

Purpose

Working closely with the Asia Comms & Events team, the role:

• supports the team in the planning and implementation of the internal and external communications aspects of marketing and business development campaigns to enhance the firm’s external reputation and positioning through the media and other external communication channels and facilitate effective communications internally.
• supports the team in the planning and execution of external and internal events (in-person, virtual and hybrid) and relevant marcomms initiatives in Hong Kong and for the wider Asia region.

Key Interactions

• Under the overall guidance of the Asia Communications & Events Manager, you will be working in close collaboration with your peers in Business Development & Marketing, other business teams as well as the practice groups (including partners, lawyers, and secretaries) to plan and deliver strategic, tailored external and internal events.
• The role primarily covers the Asia region but will include a close working relationship with the Global events team.

Key responsibilities and challenges

Internal and external communications:

Support the Asia Communications & Events team and Business Development colleagues to,

• develop comms campaigns, while working with the global communications team on comms best practices.
• leverage comms and PR to raise the firm’s profile in the region, including in strategic growth areas, corporate responsibility etc.
• execute of complex client mailings and alerts.
• liaise with the global internal communications team to leverage the various internal communications channels for effective news and information flow within the region, and globally, including Asia practice client/mandate successes, media coverage and award highlights etc.
• effectively deliver updates around internal and external comms around the events being organised/ supported.
• deliver event communications in a coordinated manner across the region.

External/ internal events:

• Plan and deliver internal events including but not limited to regional townhalls, practice offsites and regional partners’ meetings.
• This role requires experience in developing ideas, venue sourcing, supplier management, budget control and contract negotiation, invitation design, event logistics (catering, transportation, etc), onsite/online supervision, as well as post event analysis and debrief to stakeholders.
• Being the point of contact for best practice support and guidance for client events, working closely with the rest of the Asia Events team.
• Plan and execute strategic, relevant, innovative, cost-effective events for clients to strengthen our relationships, enhance the firm’s brand and reputation and differentiate the firm’s offering. Post-event reporting and analysis is key in order to monitor event ROI.
• Draft and issue event invitations and updates and any communications materials in relation to the events being managed.
• Optimise external technology platforms to enhance our virtual/ hybrid events offering (Vuture, Eventogy, etc).

Best practices:

• Along with the Events team, be abreast of best practices/ new technologies/ venues etc internally and externally to ensure Linklaters’ events remain market leading and attractive for clients.

Supplier management:

• Collaborate with the Events team on managing and building strong relationships with external vendors, monitoring of supplier pricing, cost negotiation, and identifying new suppliers/services.

Key contacts

In department

• Asia Communications & Events team and all BDM members across region

• Global BD, events and Corporate Affairs teams

In the firm

• Partners and lawyers at all levels (including Practice Heads, Managing Partners and Senior Partners)

• Regional COOs

• Linklaters’ Directors and staff across business teams

External

• Linklaters key suppliers i.e., travel provider, venue sourcing agency, graphic design agency

• Key industry suppliers and conference agents

• Hotels and restaurants/caterers

• Media contacts

• PR agency

• Graphic design agency

• Other vendors

Characteristics, Skills & Experience required:

Character

Excellent written and oral communication skills

Adaptable, creative/innovative thinker with an analytical bent of mind

Proactive with ability to multi-task and prioritise effectively

Commitment to quality and delivery with a strong attention to detail

Team player with strong interpersonal skills

Enthusiastic and resilient with a positive, can-do attitude who is happy to take on a degree of team management responsibilities

Education / Qualification

A suitable degree or appropriate experience in a similar role

Languages

Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English

Verbal and written communication skills in Mandarin

Practical experience

At least 2-3 years’ experience in a corporate communications and events focussed role

Experience working with senior management

Experience in a commercial/ professional services environment

Understanding of a partnership structure

Knowledge of event technology including Eventogy, Vuture (not essential)

Office skills

Effective time management

Highly PC and IT literate

Project management

Ability to work under pressure and manage competing demands

Strong report and presentation writing skills

Commercial Skills

Experience selecting and managing external suppliers

Negotiation skills and commercial awareness

An understanding of the legal sector

Legal PR & communications experience

Technical Skills:

This list of duties and responsibilities above is not exhaustive.  It is intended to describe the general content of, and requirements for, the performance of this job. As such, the role may also include the undertaking of additional tasks as required.