Summary:
The Marketing Specialist serves as a project liaison for marketing activity that supports the day-to-day operations of the lawyer biography function within Marketing Communications. S/he will work closely with the Marketing Manager to manage process, quality control, and training initiatives with regard to lawyer biographies and will serve as a subject matter expert on bio-related topics. The Marketing Specialist will often work directly and independently with firm lawyers cross various offices and practices worldwide, as well as with the Marketing department and other functional areas, to provide centralized support on bio requests and projects.
The role requires strong leadership abilities and the development of strong and effective working relationships within the Marketing department, as well as with other administrative departments and lawyers.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Serves as a marketing lead on bio rewrite initiatives, in collaboration with the Marketing Manager and Business Development Liaison(s), consulting with lawyers to refresh bio content to reflect the full scope of the lawyer’s practice, areas of focus, and global capabilities.
- Manages credentials in lawyer biographies across practices and offices, and strategically elevates content. This includes promoting:
- Deal announcements, ensuring a consistent approach across the firm’s website;
- Articles and publications, including thoughtful placement of high-profile publications for highlight display boxes;
- Event postings and speaking engagements, coordinating with Business Development and Digital Communications to ensure postings are included on relevant pages across the website;
- Legal directories and accolades, including thoughtful placement of third party validations and callout quotes; and
- Leadership roles, committee memberships, and other client-focused activities.
- Oversees and executes on quality control procedures, including conducting web bio audits to ensure best practices are followed.
- Proactively flags bios for updates, coordinating directly with lawyers to provide thoughtful suggestions on how to enhance bio content and ensure updates are made.
- Assists in the development and execution of lawyer workshops on developing a professional bio.
- Trains Marketing department team members on best practices for drafting and maintaining bios.
- Routinely contributes to the improvement of processes and procedures to help ensure the efficient and effective operation of the lawyer biography function.
- Assists with bio creation for lateral lawyers and posts new bios on Sidley.com, acting in coordination with Business Development and Marketing, Digital Communications, and Public Relations functions to ensure consistency and timing are in line with firmwide strategic approach.
- Collaboratively oversees the Bio Edit Requests inbox, managing daily activities and requests from lawyers, Marketing, and Human Resources. Among other things, this includes:
- Implementing edits, proofing, and maintaining lawyer biographies within the firm’s CMS (Sitecore);
- Liaising with Human Resources as necessary for correction to content fed to Sidley.com from PeopleSoft; and
- Applying best practices and securing approvals as necessary in adherence with firm guidelines.
- Works on special projects as requested by Marketing Manager and lawyers.
Education and/or Experience:
Required:
- Minimum of five (5) years of professional marketing, communications, or other relevant experience
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
- Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills
- Strong project management competency
- Ability to interact with Firm members at all levels
- Strong communication skills
- Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office and Outlook
Preferred:
- Marketing, communications, business development, or other relevant experience in a law firm or other professional services organization
- Working knowledge of content management systems and experience management databases such as Sitecore and/or Foundation
- Proven ability to identify efficiency and process improvement opportunities
- Solid understanding of the legal competitive landscape
Other Skills and Abilities:
The following will also be required of the successful candidate:
- Strong attention to detail
- Strong organizational skills
- Good judgment
- Strong interpersonal communication skills
- Strong analytical and problem solving skills
- Able to work harmoniously and effectively with others
- Able to work independently and lead projects to completion
- A proven collaborator within a team dynamic
- Able to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities
- Able to preserve confidentiality and exercise discretion
