Communications Manager - Awards & Rankings

Strictly Recruitment; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading international law firm in New York is seeking an experienced Communications Manager – Awards & Rankings to lead the strategy and delivery of legal directory submissions, awards programmes and rankings. The role offers hybrid working with two days remote per week after training, and requires building relationships with partners and researchers.

The ideal candidate will bring extensive experience in legal communications, excellent writing and editing skills, and a strong ability to

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years' experience in legal communications or related professional services.
• Hands-on experience managing legal directory submissions and awards, ideally within a US law firm.
• Excellent knowledge of Chambers USA and other major legal directories.
• Outstanding writing, editing and proofreading skills with the ability to turn complex legal matters into compelling narratives.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and stakeholders.
• Experience using generative AI tools for research, writing and analysis.
• Interest in automation, process improvement and introducing new technology to improve workflows.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end management of legal directory submissions.
• Develop and execute strategies to improve individual lawyer and practice group rankings.
• Manage and write high-profile award nominations.
• Coordinate submissions, research, deadlines, client references and supporting materials across multiple practice groups.
• Build strong relationships with partners, practice leaders, business development teams and external directory researchers.
• Coach and support lawyers in preparing for researcher interviews and provide guidance on submissions best practice.

Skills

Legal communications

Awards programs

Project management

Writing/editing

Relationship building

AI tools usage

Tools

Generative AI tools

Job description

Communications Manager – Awards & Rankings

Location: New York, NY

Working pattern: Hybrid – two days remote per week following training.

The Opportunity

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Communications Manager – Awards & Rankings to join a leading international law firm in its New York office.

This is a high-profile position within the firm's Communications team, taking responsibility for the strategy and delivery of its legal directory submissions, industry awards and rankings programmes.

The successful candidate will inherit an established and highly successful submissions programme, with the opportunity to build on this success and further strengthen the firm's market position.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end management of legal directory submissions.
• Develop and execute strategies to improve individual lawyer and practice group rankings.
• Manage and write high-profile award nominations.
• Coordinate submissions, research, deadlines, client references and supporting materials across multiple practice groups.
• Build strong relationships with partners, practice leaders, business development teams and external directory researchers.
• Coach and support lawyers in preparing for researcher interviews and provide guidance on submissions best practice.

About You

The ideal candidate will have:

• A minimum of five years' relevant experience in legal communications, marketing, business development or a similar professional services environment.
• Strong hands-on experience managing legal directory submissions and awards programmes, ideally within a US law firm.
• Excellent knowledge of Chambers USA and other major legal directories.
• Outstanding writing, editing and proofreading skills, with the ability to turn complex legal matters into compelling narratives.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple deadlines and stakeholders.
• Confidence working with senior lawyers and building relationships across a partnership environment.
• Demonstrable experience using generative AI tools for research, writing and analysis.
• An interest in automation, process improvement and introducing new technology to improve existing workflows.