Role Purpose

Freshfields is pursuing ambitious growth in the United States, our most strategically important market. The Head of Brand & Communications, US is responsible for leading the firm's integrated Brand & Communications agenda across the region, translating global and regional strategy into measurable market impact.

Working closely with US leadership, practice leaders, Business Development, HR, and global Brand & Communications teams, the role drives alignment and impact across communications, campaigns, content, digital, events, leadership visibility, reputation management, and employee engagement. This role ensures that investment, resources, and activity are focused on the opportunities that matter most to growth, reputation, client relationships, talent, and market influence.

The role serves as the regional integrator for Brand & Communications in the United States, connecting global priorities with local market needs and ensuring Freshfields presents a consistent, differentiated and compelling proposition across all stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Market Activation

• Lead the development and execution of the US Brand & Communications strategy, aligned to firmwide objectives and regional growth priorities.
• Translate global and US strategic priorities into integrated communications and market activation programs that deliver measurable commercial and reputational outcomes.
• Partner with US leadership, practice leaders, sector leaders, and Business Development teams to identify business priorities and develop communications programs that support growth.
• Establish an annual planning framework that aligns communications, campaigns, content, events, digital channels, and leadership engagement around agreed priorities.
• Ensure resources and investment are focused on the highest-value opportunities and strategic business objectives.
• Act as the primary Brand & Communications advisor to US leadership on market positioning, stakeholder engagement, communications strategy, and reputational considerations.

Reputation, Market Visibility & Leadership Positioning

• Lead the activation of Freshfields' brand and reputation strategy across the United States.
• Drive integrated programs across media relations, digital channels, campaigns, thought leadership, events, social media, sponsorships, and leadership visibility initiatives.
• Partner with specialist communications teams and external agencies to strengthen Freshfields' profile and influence across priority audiences.
• Identify opportunities to enhance brand awareness, market visibility, and thought leadership in support of the firm's growth ambitions.
• Monitor market trends, competitive activity, reputational developments, and stakeholder expectations to inform communications priorities.

Internal Communications & Employee Engagement

• Develop and lead a comprehensive US internal communications strategy that strengthens employee engagement and alignment around firm strategy and growth priorities.
• Partner with regional leadership and HR teams to support strategic change, culture initiatives, leadership communications, and major business announcements.
• Create communications programs that build understanding of Freshfields' strategic direction, reinforce culture and values, and foster organizational momentum.
• Lead employee engagement initiatives, leadership forums, town halls, recognition activities, and internal campaigns.
• Establish measurement frameworks and continuously improve communication effectiveness and employee engagement outcomes.

Stakeholder Partnership & Business Advisory

• Build trusted relationships with senior leaders across the firm and provide high-quality strategic communications counsel.
• Ensure communications priorities support firm strategy, client priorities, reputation objectives, and talent ambitions.
• Influence decision-making by providing insight, measurement, and recommendations that improve business outcomes.
• Represent US priorities within global Brand & Communications planning and governance forums.

Team Leadership & Operational Excellence

• Lead, develop, and inspire a high-performing US Brand & Communications team.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
• Establish clear governance, planning processes, performance expectations, and measurement frameworks.
• Drive effective collaboration across Brand & Communications, Business Development, HR, Knowledge, and other business services functions.
• Champion capability building and ensure the team is equipped to meet evolving business needs.

Success Measures

• Increased brand awareness, reputation, and market visibility across key US audiences.
• Strong employee engagement and understanding of firm strategy.
• Effective execution of integrated communications programs aligned to growth priorities.
• Improved leadership visibility and thought leadership impact.
• Demonstrable contribution to business development and market growth objectives.
• High levels of stakeholder satisfaction and strategic partnership.
• Strong team performance, engagement, and capability development.

Skills & Experience

Required Experience

• Leadership experience in corporate communications, brand, public affairs, professional services marketing, or related disciplines.
• Experience operating within complex, matrixed, global organizations.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing integrated communications strategies linked to business outcomes.
• Strong internal communications and employee engagement expertise.
• Experience advising senior executives and managing reputational issues.
• Proven ability to lead high-performing teams and complex stakeholder relationships.

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking and commercial acumen.
• Executive presence and influencing skills.
• Exceptional communication and storytelling capabilities.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
• Data-driven decision-making and performance management.
• Team leadership and people development.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced and highly collaborative environment.

For individuals assigned and/or hired to work in New York and California, Freshfields is required by law to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This compensation range is specific to the States of New York and California and takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is $300,000 to $400,000.