Awards and Rankings Specialist

Katten•New York, NY

3d•$95,000 - $115,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Awards & Rankings Specialist leads the firm’s strategy for awards, surveys, and league table submissions (including Chambers and Legal 500), ensuring all recognition initiatives align with the firm’s strategic goals and brand visibility. This role partners with attorneys, Marketing and Business Development, and PR teams to draft, review, and submit award entries, manage timelines, coordinate researcher interviews, and maintain comprehensive tracking systems for directories, surveys, and league tables. The position also develops templates, best practices, and reference materials, researches new recognition opportunities, and updates profiles and submissions. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Strong communication, project management, and interpersonal skills are essential, along with sound judgment, discretion, and a proactive, results-driven approach. Experience with legal directories, awards, and external agency management is strongly preferred. This role works independently and collaboratively but has no direct supervisory responsibilities. Katten offers a hybrid work model, allowing the flexibility to work both on-site and remotely on a regular basis (KattenFlex).

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications or other related field with a minimum of 5 years relevant experience in business development or marketing in a law firm, professional services firm or other similar organization.
Exceptional organizational, research, and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including advanced copywriting and copyediting proficiency.
Demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills and professionalism when working with attorneys, clients, media, publishers, and external vendors.
Highly detail-oriented, with proven ability to gather, organize, and synthesize information from a variety of sources.
Exercises sound judgment, strong problem-solving abilities, and critical thinking, while maintaining the highest level of discretion with confidential and sensitive information.
Dependable and collaborative team player who works effectively with others while also demonstrating initiative, independent decision-making, and a proactive, results-driven mindset.
Committed to delivering exceptional client service.
Flexible and adaptable, with the ability to work extended hours and communicate outside standard business hours as needed to meet critical deadlines.
Strong computer and technological skills including proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc.).

Nice To Haves

Prior experience working at a large law firm and strong knowledge of legal directories is strongly preferred.
Experience managing external agencies is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Lead the strategy for the firm’s awards, surveys, and league table submissions and nominations.
Advise attorneys and marketing professionals on recognition and survey strategy, and coordinate with Marketing and Business Development Managers on major legal directory submissions and league table reporting.
Draft award entries and review and edit submissions to ensure accuracy, clarity, and strategic alignment.
Oversee submission timelines to ensure the timely completion of all materials and references.
Manage each submission from initial planning through release, maintaining a comprehensive editorial calendar and tracking system for league tables, directories, surveys, and awards.
Coordinate interview requests from directory researchers, including scheduling and preparing background materials for attorneys.
Partner with the PR and Communications team to develop internal and external communications announcing rankings and awards, reinforcing the firm’s brand visibility.
Develop and maintain reference lists, work highlights, submission templates, and best practices to support efficient and consistent processes.
Research and evaluate new directory and award opportunities to expand the firm’s recognition strategy.
Update league tables, surveys, and directory profiles as new firm developments arise, including attorney hires, press releases, practice updates, and other notable news.
Collaborate with Marketing and Business Development Managers to draft, finalize, and maintain directory and league table practice profiles, and create best practices aligned with the awards and rankings strategy.
Preparing regular reports on awards and rankings results.