Marketing Executive – Legal Directories

A leading UK law firm with a network of offices from the South Coast to Scotland, working together as one national team. An innovative practice and the first top 100 law firm to achieve “Gold Standard” Investors in People, our values and culture are not just words on our website but are the heartbeat of the firm. The lack of barriers between departments, a real lack of hierarchy, zero tolerance for arrogance and pomposity makes Shoosmiths a fantastic place to work.

To project-manage and expertly deliver Shoosmiths’ national, annual research process with the key legal directories (Chambers UK and Legal 500). Exceptional organisational and intra-personal skills are required to effectively communicate with key stakeholders across the firm to ensure submissions are approved and completed on time and submitted, in order to enhance the firm’s reputation in key legal fields. Excellent written communications skills will be required to execute other BD activities such as the management of the awards calendar, assisting the communications and wider BD team with the writing of awards submissions and other business development related tasks.

This role requires previous experience working in legal services and in a marketing environment. Experience in the legal directories process is essential. 

• To work with senior BD managers in identifying the submissions per Division that Shoosmiths wishes to make submissions for
• Liaise with the directory publishers to ascertain deadlines and adapt the previous year’s project plan to achieve the completion of c180 submissions via a proven communications process supported by Departmental Heads
• Familiarity with the directory submission requirements, such that you can handle day-today queries from legal advisers about their submissions
• Work with individual team leaders and their PAs to ensure they understand what is required and that submissions are completed to the highest standard by the deadline
• Deliver fully the annual legal directories project in line with the prescribed process – this includes submitting to both Chambers and the Legal 500
• Liaising with key stakeholders within the business to ensure all approvals are sought for submissions
• To keep BD management updated with key milestones
• Documenting results when the directories are published, analysing results against previous years, and communicating results directly to teams and via Channel 9 etc
• During December and January, transfer all existing information in around 90 submissions from one directory (Chambers) to a different document format for Legal 500 and send to partners for authorisation.  This is a copy and paste exercise requiring accuracy, attention to detail and working to a tight deadline. Additional PA resource may be available to assist.
• Updating the Quotes database with favourable quotes from the latest directories, for use in bids and on the Shoosmiths website  
• To be seen by the firm as the ‘go-to’ person within BD for all dealings with directories

• At least two years’ experience within the arena of the legal directories
• Comfortable working to strict deadlines and in pressurised, document-heavy environments without compromising on quality of work
• High standards of written and verbal communication
• Excellent project-management skills
• Confident working closely with senior stakeholders, able to influence and persuade them
• Fast touch-typing skills and an excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Word

Shoosmiths is a committed Equal Opportunities employer promoting equality of opportunity. This means that everyone who either applies to or works for the firm is treated equally, whatever their gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.