Directories Manager

DAC Beachcroft; West of England; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

DAC Beachcroft in Bristol seeks a senior professional to lead its legal directories and rankings programme, including Chambers and Legal 500. You will develop submission strategies, draft high-quality content, and coordinate with lawyers and business services to gather evidence and ensure timely submissions.

You will analyse rankings outcomes, prepare reports, and use market intelligence to strengthen the firm’s external profile.

Qualifications

• Experience managing legal directory submissions, including Chambers and Legal 500.
• Outstanding writing and editing skills to translate legal content into client-focused material.
• Excellent project management and organisational abilities.
• Strong stakeholder management with senior leaders.
• Experience analysing rankings performance and market intelligence.
• Meticulous attention to detail and quality delivery.
• Proficient with Microsoft 365 and digital collaboration tools.
• Self-motivated, proactive, able to manage multiple priorities independently.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end management of DAC Beachcroft's legal directories and rankings programme, including Chambers, Legal 500 and other relevant directories.
• Develop submission strategies, planning cycles and governance processes across the firm.
• Draft, edit and refine high-quality submissions that showcase the firm's expertise, client successes and market-leading credentials.
• Partner with lawyers and business services teams to identify key matters, client referees and supporting evidence.
• Manage submission timelines and stakeholder engagement to ensure deadlines and quality standards are consistently achieved.
• Analyse rankings outcomes, researcher feedback and competitor activity to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Produce insightful reports and recommendations that support future submission strategies.
• Use performance data and market intelligence to strengthen the firm's external profile.
• Identify opportunities to leverage submissions for awards, industry recognition programmes and other profile-raising initiatives.
• Act as the firm's subject matter expert on legal directories and rankings.
• Advise partners and senior stakeholders on submission strategy, researcher engagement and interview preparation.
• Collaborate closely with Business Development, Marketing, Communications and Clients & Markets colleagues to maximise the value of rankings and recognitions.
• Ensure firm profiles across directory platforms remain accurate, compelling and aligned with strategic priorities.
• Maintain and enhance tracking systems, reporting tools and submission processes.
• Improve templates, guidance materials and ways of working to increase efficiency and consistency.
• Explore opportunities to utilise technology, automation and AI-enabled solutions to support delivery and reporting.

Skills

Legal directories

Writing

Editing

Project management

Stakeholder management

Attention to detail

Microsoft 365

Independent working

Tools

CRM

SharePoint

Workflow tools

PM systems

Job description

Department: Business Services - Clients and Markets

Location: Bristol

Description

At DAC Beachcroft, we're known for delivering exceptional legal advice across a broad range of sectors including insurance, health, real estate, financial services and technology. With offices across the UK and internationally, we work with some of the world's leading organisations, helping them navigate complex legal and commercial challenges.

Why join DAC Beachcroft?

• Take ownership of a firm-wide strategic programme.
• Work directly with senior partners and business leaders.
• Influence how the firm's expertise is recognised across key legal directories and rankings.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement, including the use of technology and AI-enabled tools.
• Join a collaborative Clients & Markets team that plays a central role in the firm's growth ambitions.

Key Responsibilities

Legal Directories & Rankings

• Lead the end-to-end management of DAC Beachcroft's legal directories and rankings programme, including Chambers, Legal 500 and other relevant directories.
• Develop submission strategies, planning cycles and governance processes across the firm.
• Draft, edit and refine high-quality submissions that showcase the firm's expertise, client successes and market-leading credentials.
• Partner with lawyers and business services teams to identify key matters, client referees and supporting evidence.
• Manage submission timelines and stakeholder engagement to ensure deadlines and quality standards are consistently achieved.

Rankings Strategy, Market Insight & Reporting

• Analyse rankings outcomes, researcher feedback and competitor activity to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Produce insightful reports and recommendations that support future submission strategies.
• Use performance data and market intelligence to strengthen the firm's external profile.
• Identify opportunities to leverage submissions for awards, industry recognition programmes and other profile-raising initiatives.

Stakeholder Engagement & Profile Raising

• Act as the firm's subject matter expert on legal directories and rankings.
• Advise partners and senior stakeholders on submission strategy, researcher engagement and interview preparation.
• Collaborate closely with Business Development, Marketing, Communications and Clients & Markets colleagues to maximise the value of rankings and recognitions.
• Ensure firm profiles across directory platforms remain accurate, compelling and aligned with strategic priorities.

Process Improvement & Innovation

• Maintain and enhance tracking systems, reporting tools and submission processes.
• Improve templates, guidance materials and ways of working to increase efficiency and consistency.
• Explore opportunities to utilise technology, automation and AI-enabled solutions to support delivery and reporting.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Essential

• Experience managing legal directory submissions, including Chambers and Legal 500, within a law firm or professional services environment.
• Outstanding writing and editing skills with the ability to translate complex legal information into engaging, client-focused content.
• Excellent project management and organisational skills.
• Strong stakeholder management experience, including influencing and supporting senior leaders.
• Experience analysing rankings performance, market intelligence and competitor activity.
• Exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to high-quality delivery.
• Confidence using Microsoft 365 and digital collaboration tools.
• A proactive, self-motivated approach with the ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.

Desirable

• Experience managing legal awards submissions.
• Experience within an international law firm or professional services organisation.
• Knowledge of CRM, SharePoint, workflow or project management systems.
• Experience in market intelligence, competitor analysis or performance reporting.
• Exposure to process improvement or operational change initiatives.
• An interest in legal market trends, reputation management and business development.

Additional Information

As a Disability Confident Scheme employer, we’re committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you need any reasonable adjustments at any stage (including the application, assessment or interview process), please contact [e-mail] in confidence with the vacancy reference in the subject line, and we’ll be happy to help.

We are happy to talk flexible working with our Flex Forward scheme. We would encourage you to talk to us about our approach to flexible working during the hiring process if you would like to explore this further.

Note for Recruitment Agencies

DAC Beachcroft manages all vacancies via our in-house recruitment teams, prioritising direct sourcing and referrals. When external support is required, roles are released to selected agencies on our Preferred Supplier List (PSL).

Speculative CVs sent to any DAC Beachcroft employee without prior instruction from our recruitment teams (LLP and CSG) will not be accepted, and no fees will be payable.

For PSL queries, please contact: [e-mail] or [e-mail]