Rankings & Directories Specialist

Benesch Law•Chicago, IL

3d•$70,000 - $88,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Benesch is seeking a Rankings & Directories Specialist for its Chicago office. This hybrid position involves supporting the firm's efforts to secure and enhance recognition in legal directories, rankings, and awards programs. The role requires a highly organized, detail-oriented, and strong writer to manage the full lifecycle of submissions, including tracking deadlines, gathering information, drafting content, and coordinating input from attorneys and clients. The Specialist will report to the Senior Marketing & Directories Manager and collaborate with attorneys, practice groups, and the Marketing & Business Development team to ensure submissions are strategic, timely, accurate, and aligned with firm priorities. This role is crucial for shaping the marketing success and national recognition of the organization.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, journalism, English, public relations or a related field.
3-5 years of relevant experience in marketing, communications, public relations, business development or a related field, preferably in a law firm or other professional services environment.
Experience supporting legal rankings, directories, awards or survey submissions is strongly preferred.
Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills.
Ability to translate detailed legal and business information into clear, concise and compelling content.
Strong organizational and project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple deadlines and competing priorities with a high level of attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Sound judgment.
Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
Ability to follow established processes and protocols.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
Comfort working with spreadsheets, databases and project tracking tools.
Ability to work collaboratively and effectively in a fast-paced environment.

Nice To Haves

Exceptional writer who can distill complex legal matters and practice strengths into clear, persuasive submissions.
Highly organized and deadline-driven.
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Works effectively with attorneys and colleagues across the firm.
Detail-oriented and proactive.
Strong commitment to accuracy, follow-through and continuous improvement.
Professional presence.
Curiosity and strategic interest in legal market recognition, competitive positioning and process improvement.

Responsibilities

Supports the planning, coordination and execution of submissions for legal directories, rankings and awards programs, including Chambers, The Legal 500 and other relevant opportunities.
Maintains a master calendar of submission deadlines, research schedules, milestones and requirements to help ensure projects stay on track and stakeholders are informed.
Drafts and edits submission content, including practice group narratives, matter summaries, attorney biographies, firm descriptions and other supporting materials.
Gathers, organizes and synthesizes information from attorneys and practice groups to develop accurate, persuasive and strategically positioned submissions.
Coordinates the collection, contact accuracy verification and tracking of client referees and related approvals in accordance with firm protocols and client preferences.
Helps maintain templates, submission materials, rankings data and related internal resources for recurring opportunities.
Monitors submission guidelines and methodology updates from directories and ranking organizations and shares relevant changes and best practices with internal stakeholders.
Tracks ranking results, recognitions and submission outcomes across practices, offices and individual attorneys.
Assists with identifying and evaluating new rankings, survey and awards opportunities relevant to firm priorities and practices.
Maintains internal trackers, dashboards and related resources to support planning, reporting and institutional knowledge.
Prepares background materials, status updates and reports on submission activity, results and trends as requested.
Coordinates with Marketing & Business Development colleagues to help promote notable rankings and recognitions through internal and external channels.
Drafts or supports development of related promotional content, including website copy, internal announcements, social media language and other recognition-related materials.
Helps maintain firm and attorney directory profiles and coordinates updates as needed.
Supports updates to marketing collateral, biographies and other firm materials to reflect rankings and recognitions.
Contributes to ongoing improvements to rankings and submissions processes, templates, tracking tools and documentation.
Serves as a resource to attorneys and colleagues on submission timelines, requirements, templates and best practices.
Provides support on related marketing and communications projects as needed.
Performs all other duties as assigned.