Market & Industry Recognition Lead

Gowling WLG; Hamilton; Hybrid; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Gowling WLG is hiring a Market & Industry Recognition Lead to develop and execute strategies for legal directories and awards. This critical role demands proven expertise in professional services marketing, along with exceptional project management and writing capabilities. Join a leading law firm committed to diversity and employee satisfaction in transforming their external recognition strategies, while enjoying a hybrid work environment.

Benefits

Hybrid work environment

Diversity and inclusion initiatives

Continuous training opportunities

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in legal or professional services marketing.
• Proven track record in managing awards and recognitions programs.
• Bilingualism (English / French) is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Develop recognition strategy for directories and awards.
• Lead preparation for award submissions and manage directory relationships.
• Oversee market recognition budget and performance tracking.

Skills

Writing

Project Management

Analytical Skills

Collaboration

Education

Post-secondary education in marketing, communications, business

Tools

CRM tools

Experience management platforms

Job description

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At Gowling WLG, our dedication to excellence and quality service begins with our people. As a global law firm with offices across Canada, the U.K., Europe, the Middle East and Asia, we pride ourselves on sourcing and retaining top talent who bring energy, passion and commitment to the delivery of outstanding client service.

Employee satisfaction is important to us. We work hard to ensure that our people are motivated, engaged and empowered. We are guided by our firm’s Core Values - The Power of Teamwork, Always Striving to be Better, We all Bring Something Different - in all that we do.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are an integral part of our firm’s core values. We are always striving to build a more equitable, engaging and rewarding workplace by attracting and retaining talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds, cultures and experiences. Our aim is to help everyone reach their full potential and achieve their personal and professional goals.

Our diverse group of legal professionals, law students, law clerks, paralegals, legal administrative assistants and business services team members work together, and are respected and valued for their individual contributions.

PROFILE

The Market & Industry Recognition Lead drives Gowling WLG’s strategy for legal directories, awards and other forms of external recognition such as league tables. This role plays a critical part in raising the Firm’s profile by identifying opportunities to showcase its legal work, celebrating the accomplishments of its people, and strengthening its presence in high-visibility channels to grow our business.

The Lead is responsible for providing both strategic direction, alignment, organization, and hands-on execution for key submissions, including overseeing participation in recognition events, working collaboratively across the Firm and with senior stakeholders and partners to ensure that Gowling WLG is positioned for consistent success, and identifying improvement and new opportunities to enhance our market recognition programs and investments with a continuous lens that weighs effort versus impact. The role requires a deep understanding of awards and recognition programs, the power of strategy and storytelling to differentiate the Firm, and the ability to own and project manage a Firm-critical portfolio that is complex. The individual will also have responsibility for the Firm’s experience management platform and for identifying ways to enhance processes through innovation, AI, and automation.

This position can be based in any of our Canadian offices!

RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy & Stakeholder Engagement

• Own, lead and develop the recognition strategy for the Firm across directories, awards, rankings, and league tables, guiding senior partners, leaders and Business Development (BD) colleagues every step of the way.
• Drive inclusive, intentional nomination practices to broaden representation and improve success rates with a focus on differentiation to set out Firm and lawyers apart. Serve as a trusted advisor and expert to lawyers, leaders, and BD teams on recognition planning and positioning.
• Maintain an annual calendar of recognition opportunities with a proactive approach aligned with Firm priorities and the recognition strategy, providing ample time for submission creation, review, enhancement and delivery.

Awards & Directories

• Identify and direct award and directory opportunities aligned with Firm strategy and practice strengths, working closely with the Firm Managing Partner and other leaders.
• Lead the preparation of compelling submissions, including content development, approvals, and coordination with lawyers.
• Manage legal directory submissions (e.g., Chambers, Legal 500, Lexpert), including drafting, scheduling interviews, and maintaining relationships with editors.
• Oversee Firm participation in award events, coordinating internal representation and logistics to maximize opportunity.
• Continuously pitch and present ways to optimize our processes around candidate selection, submissions completions, content development and more, including increasing our win-rates with these programs.
• Collaborate with Communications and Digital teams to promote rankings and wins across internal and external channels, as well as lawyer profiles.

Experience Platform Enablement & Innovation

• Be the subject matter expert for the firm’s experience management platform, supporting adoption, training, and effective use across the BD & Marketing team and stakeholders.
• Continuously improve workflows, templates, and tools related to experience capture and recognition.
• Manage and collaborate with the vendor to test and implement system enhancements.
• Proactively identify opportunities to apply AI and automation to streamline tagging, content creation, and submission processes to improve efficiency and outcomes.

Budget & Performance Tracking

• Manage the market recognition budget, including sponsorships and platform costs.
• Track and report on award results, rankings, and peer benchmarking to leadership audiences.
• Analyze ROI and recommend strategic shifts based on performance data.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Post-secondary education in marketing, communications, business, or related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in legal or professional services marketing, with a focus on awards, directories, and recognition.
• Proven track record of success in building and managing company awards and recognitions programs end-to-end, including developing strong strategies, goals and action plans to achieve desired results.
• Possess deep understanding of awards and recognition programs, including what it takes to win.
• Exceptional writing skills, with a strong ability to craft compelling, audience-tailored narratives that bring the Firm’s legal work, talent, and impact to life.
• Proficient in using experience management platforms (e.g., Foundation, Ikaun) and CRM tools to support recognition initiatives.
• Superb organization and project management capabilities.
• Strategic thinker with a results-orientation and growth mindset.
• Highly accountable and proactive self-starter focused on delivering results.
• Skilled collaborator with the ability to connect and bring people and groups together, while also efficiently working independently.
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, leaders and colleagues that facilitate teaming and progress.
• Superior analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong understanding of business development, marketing, and go-to-market strategies and channels.
• Bilingualism (English / French) is an asset but not required.

Gowling WLG employees benefit from a hybrid work environment.

The starting range for this role is $80,000 - $100,000. Starting salary will be determined based on an applicant's individual skills, competencies, and unique qualifications. Gowling WLG employees have the potential to exceed this range based on tenure and performance.

Not sure if you meet all the requirements? If you are excited about this opportunity but your experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Gowling WLG is dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation at any time during the recruitment process, please let us know.

While we appreciate all applications received, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Seniority level

Seniority level

Mid-Senior level

Employment type

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Job function

Sales and Business Development

Law Practice

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