Communications & Corporate Affairs Lead

Purpose

The Communications & Corporate Affairs Lead, Asia is a key regional delivery role within Linklaters’ global communications and corporate affairs function. Reporting to the Chief Communications & Corporate Affairs Officer, you will be responsible for leading the firm’s communications function in Asia. You will ensure the highest standards in communications activity, including media engagement, reputational risk mitigation, and transparent corporate reporting. You will advise senior stakeholders, develop policies and best practices, and ensure consistency, quality, and impact of messaging, aligned with the firm’s global communications strategy.

With two direct reports, and working with your peers globally, you will manage and develop talent, facilitate knowledge sharing, and serve as a regional resource, guiding the region’s offices and colleagues on best practice and impactful communications in order to protect, promote and elevate the firm’s reputation in the region, and globally.

Your key responsibilities

• Lead the communications function in Asia, building trust among senior stakeholders and developing a reputation for excellence.
• Ensure the regional communications function and activities are connected to and consistent with the firm’s global communications strategy and priorities.
• Develop and deliver a multi-stakeholder regional communications plan; oversee the delivery of milestones on the regional communications calendar.
• Develop and implement regional strategies for media engagement, fostering strong relationships with journalists, industry commentators, and key external stakeholders.
• Advise senior leadership and oversee the development and delivery of proactive media campaigns, key announcements, and thought leadership, maximising reach and impact.
• Oversee the delivery of key communications collateral, including press releases, statements, Q&A documents, and briefing materials, ensuring readiness for public and regulatory scrutiny.
• Serve as the regional communications point person for high-profile reputational threats or issues, coordinating responses, and ensuring rapid mobilisation of resources, in line with agreed global frameworks.
• Analyse trends, monitor the firm’s media coverage and sentiment, and report insights to inform executive and board-level decisions and identify emerging reputational risks.
• Manage engagement with other teams involved in planning, engagement and delivery in the region (e.g. Marketing and Business Development teams).
• Manage, develop and support two direct reports, fostering an environment of collaboration and ongoing professional growth.
• Manage relationships with external agencies engaged to support communications in the region.

Your experience

• Experience leading communications function(s) in Asia for a global organisation, ideally within professional services or a regulated sector.
• Significant experience in media relations and crisis communications with a proven track record advising on and delivering high-stakes media and crisis engagements at executive level.
• Leadership experience, including direct management and development of communications professionals.
• Deep familiarity with the region’s media landscapes and existing strong network of media relationships.
• Experience of delivering culturally-sensitive communication strategies.
• Strong experience coordinating cross-border, multi-stakeholder projects, especially in periods of high scrutiny or change.
• Knowledge of legal and regulatory requirements relating to public disclosures and communications in key jurisdictions in the region.

Additional Skills

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with strong editorial judgement and attention to detail and the ability to distil complex information into clear, compelling messages.
• Strong influencing and advisory skills, confident with senior leaders and external stakeholders.
• Strategic, analytical, and solutions‑focused, with confidence operating in sensitive or fast‑moving situations.
• Strong organisational and project‑management skills, able to manage competing priorities effectively.
• Digital fluency, including experience with analytics, monitoring tools, and modern communications platforms.
• Culturally aware and comfortable working with global teams and stakeholders.
• Professional, discreet, and resilient, with sound judgement under pressure around when to escalate matters or seek senior input.
• Committed to fostering best practices, continuous improvement, and cross-jurisdictional collaboration within a global team.
• Ability to lead, coach and inspire direct reports in a centre of excellence environment.

The Team

The Corporate Relations team acts as Linklaters’ central hub for all major communication activities, supporting divisional practice groups as well as leading firmwide initiatives. The team is responsible for media relations, crisis and issues management, internal communications, and thought leadership. Members work closely with senior leadership to deliver consistent, impactful messaging and uphold best practices. The team plays a key role in maintaining and enhancing the firm’s global reputation.

Linklaters

What sets us apart

At Linklaters

• We offer a truly global work experience and the opportunity to be involved in strategic projects that drive innovation and shape the future of our business
• We belong to a firm that embodies its corporate social, environment, and governance responsibility commitments
• We remain focused on talent and having the best people which will result in a diverse workforce
• Having got the best people, we want them to feel included, valued and respected so they can perform at their best
• We advocate speak-up culture to empower our people in sharing their voices and an open-door policy to ensure they are listened to
• We invest in custom-fit career paths for our people in line with their talents and aspirations
• We provide agile working solutions to meet the changing needs of our people and our business
• We are committed to people first relationships based on mutual trust, respect, and appreciation
• We support the health and wellbeing of our people, providing a safe space to talk about emotions and mental health with access to expert advice as needed
• We invest in developing leaders of the future who demonstrate emotional intelligence and a passion to discover, coach and develop the talents of others

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.