Director of Marketing And Business Development

Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 125,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Qualified transportation benefits

Life insurance

Vacation and sick time

Holiday pay

401(k)

Job summary

Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP is seeking a Director of Marketing & Business Development to lead our Marketing department. This individual plays a vital role in shaping and executing Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP’s marketing strategy to drive business growth, client acquisition, attorney visibility, and Firm reputation.

This is an excellent opportunity for a marketing professional who enjoys combining strategy, analytics, and relationship development in a sophisticated legal environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, public relations, or a related field.
• 8+ years of proven experience in marketing or communications is required, preferably within a legal environment.
• Must live within a commutable distance to our Chicago office with the ability to come into the office 5 days per week (Monday-Friday).
• Experience advising partners, senior executives, or other professional stakeholders on marketing and business development strategy.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
• Experience managing external vendors and driving accountability against strategic objectives.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and budget simultaneously.
• Strong business judgement, discretion, and decision-making skills in high-pressure and time-sensitive situations.
• Willingness and ability to manage time sensitive projects outside of standard business hours when required.

Responsibilities

• Lead the firm’s marketing and business development function, overseeing strategy, day-to-day operations, departmental budgeting, vendors, and firmwide initiatives.
• Work closely with the Executive Committee and CFO to develop and implement firmwide marketing and business development strategies, priorities, budgets, and special initiatives.
• Develop and execute business development strategies, including attorney business plans, individual coaching, practice group marketing, cross-marketing initiatives, and client development efforts.
• Partner with practice group leaders and attorneys to identify marketing and business development opportunities, establish goals, and support sponsorships, conferences, events, and client-facing initiatives.
• Manage the firm’s external communications and brand presence, including website content, social media, press releases, advertising, media monitoring, firm photography, attorney headshots, and brand materials.
• Manage legal industry rankings, awards, surveys, and submissions, including Chambers, Legal 500, Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Leading Lawyers, Law360, Crain’s, Chicago Lawyer/Law Bulletin, and miscellaneous surveys.
• Maintain firm credentials and experience materials, including verdict and representative matter databases, master experience lists, practice group materials, and other business development collateral.
• Oversee attorney profile management, including website biographies, marketing materials, attorney announcements, and marketing processes for new and departing attorneys.
• Plan and coordinate marketing and business development programs, events, and initiatives that support attorney engagement, client development, and firm visibility.
• Support the firm’s internal committees with communications, events, sponsorships, and marketing initiatives.
• Manage marketing vendors, contracts, invoices, and outside partners, including designers, photographers, venues, and other service providers.
• Collaborate with firm leadership and administrative departments on firmwide initiatives, policies, processes, and special projects.
• Monitor and respond to incoming marketing and website inquiries, ensuring requests and potential opportunities are routed to the appropriate attorneys or departments.

Skills

Marketing leadership

Strategic planning

Vendor management

Project management

Writing and communication

Budget management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, public relations, or a related field

Job description

Founded in 1992, Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP is a nationally recognized, full-service litigation firm with seven offices and a longstanding reputation for excellence in advocacy and client service. The firm represents businesses, institutions, and individuals in complex litigation and transactional matters nationwide across a broad range of industries and practice areas.

For more than three decades, the firm has built its reputation on delivering practical, strategic, and results-driven counsel while developing lasting relationships with its clients. Swanson, Martin & Bell combines the resources and capabilities of a sophisticated litigation firm with a collaborative, collegial culture and a strong commitment to the professional growth of its attorneys and staff. To learn more, visit: www.smbtrials.com.

Position Summary

Our Firm is seeking a Director of Marketing & Business Development to lead our Marketing department. This individual plays a vital role in shaping and executing Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP’s marketing strategy to drive business growth, client acquisition, attorney visibility, and Firm reputation. This is an excellent opportunity for a marketing professional who enjoys combining strategy, analytics, and relationship development in a sophisticated legal environment.

The ideal candidate is a proactive and highly collaborative professional who can manage multiple priorities, work effectively with attorneys and executives, and turn data and market insights into actionable business development opportunities.

Position Responsibilities

• Lead the firm’s marketing and business development function, overseeing strategy, day-to-day operations, departmental budgeting, vendors, and firmwide initiatives.
• Work closely with the Executive Committee and CFO to develop and implement firmwide marketing and business development strategies, priorities, budgets, and special initiatives.
• Develop and execute business development strategies, including attorney business plans, individual coaching, practice group marketing, cross-marketing initiatives, and client development efforts.
• Partner with practice group leaders and attorneys to identify marketing and business development opportunities, establish goals, and support sponsorships, conferences, events, and client-facing initiatives.
• Manage the firm’s external communications and brand presence, including website content, social media, press releases, advertising, media monitoring, firm photography, attorney headshots, and brand materials.
• Manage legal industry rankings, awards, surveys, and submissions, including Chambers, Legal 500, Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Leading Lawyers, Law360, Crain’s, Chicago Lawyer/Law Bulletin, and miscellaneous surveys.
• Maintain firm credentials and experience materials, including verdict and representative matter databases, master experience lists, practice group materials, and other business development collateral.
• Oversee attorney profile management, including website biographies, marketing materials, attorney announcements, and marketing processes for new and departing attorneys.
• Plan and coordinate marketing and business development programs, events, and initiatives that support attorney engagement, client development, and firm visibility.
• Support the firm’s internal committees with communications, events, sponsorships, and marketing initiatives.
• Manage marketing vendors, contracts, invoices, and outside partners, including designers, photographers, venues, and other service providers.
• Collaborate with firm leadership and administrative departments on firmwide initiatives, policies, processes, and special projects.
• Monitor and respond to incoming marketing and website inquiries, ensuring requests and potential opportunities are routed to the appropriate attorneys or departments.

Position Experience, Skills, and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, public relations, or a related field is required.
• 8+ years of proven experience in marketing or communications is required, preferably within a legal environment.
• Must live within a commutable distance to our Chicago office with the ability to come into the office 5 days per week (Monday-Friday).
• Experience advising partners, senior executives, or other professional stakeholders on marketing and business development strategy.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
• Experience managing external vendors and driving accountability against strategic objectives.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and budget simultaneously.
• Strong business judgement, discretion, and decision-making skills in high-pressure and time-sensitive situations.
• Willingness and ability to manage time sensitive projects outside of standard business hours when required.

Compensation and Benefits

$125,000-$135,000, depending on experience

Swanson Martin & Bell, LLP offers an excellent benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, qualified transportation benefits, life insurance, vacation and sick time, holiday pay, and 401(k).