WilmerHale is a leading, full-service international law firm with 1,000 lawyers located throughout 12 offices in the United States and Europe. Our lawyers work at the intersection of government, technology and business, and we remain committed to our guiding principles of providing quality, excellent legal and client services; developing diversity among our lawyers and staff and cultivating an environment that promotes an ambitious spirit, collaboration and collegiality by drawing on the extraordinary talents and dynamic experience of our lawyers. Our goal is to reflect the diversity of our clients and the communities in which we practice.
About the Role
The Awards and Rankings Senior Specialist will focus on managing the end-to-end legal awards and directories opportunities for the firm and its lawyers. The Senior Specialist will work closely with the Clients & Markets Department to coordinate submissions to directories, including Chambers and Legal 500, and the Public Relations team on editorial-based awards and surveys. Working in close collaboration with stakeholders across the firm and reporting to the Communications Manager, the Senior Specialist will play a central role in shaping high-quality submissions while enhancing the firm’s visibility and reputation both internally and externally.
What You Will Be Doing
- Identifies and tracks opportunities for the firm and its lawyers to compete for editorial-based awards in legal trades and business press. Drafts and coordinates the submissions for 200+ surveys and awards.
- Manage the end-to-end lifecycle of awards and directory submissions, from opportunity assessment through submission, results tracking and promotion.
- Proactively provides input on upcoming nominations and shares best practices for award submissions. Serves as a go-to resource on the Public Relations team on awards strategy, submission positioning, timelines and best practices.
- Works closely with the Communications Director and Manager to report out results of legal directories and other submissions.
- Collaborates with practice groups and business development leads to ensure submissions align with firm messaging, priorities, and market positioning. Serves as a resource for questions about submissions and provides information about best practices.
- Maintains centralized tracking systems and databases for awards and directories, ensuring accurate historical records to support future submissions and reporting.
- Drafts news items and ensures recognitions are shared internally and externally. Works across Public Relations and Marketing Communications teams to update recognitions across the firm’s website and broader marketing materials.
- Maintains the firm’s presence on Chambers and other directory profiles.
- Successfully performs multiple tasks simultaneously with strong attention to detail, while working on short cycle and long cycle projects alongside team members in a diverse team environment.
- Interacting regularly with lawyers with significant exposure to firm leadership and partners.
- Collaborates with members of the PR team and Clients & Markets Department on other projects as needed.
- Develops and maintains positive relationships with lawyers, staff, directory researchers, editors, and award organizers to enhance the firm’s visibility and understanding of submission criteria and trends.
- Conduct ongoing research into rankings, awards, and industry trends to identify new opportunities and inform participation decisions.
- Identify and implement process improvements, including enhancements to tracking systems, templates, and workflows to increase efficiency and effectiveness.
- Assumes additional responsibilities as assigned.
- Demonstrates a strong commitment to professionalism, delivering high-quality service, and maintaining a positive, solution-oriented (“can-do”) approach. Effectively supports internal departments, external clients, and vendors through clear, courteous communication via electronic correspondence, telephone, and in-person interactions.
Required Skills
What You Will Bring to This Position
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Precise attention to detail, with extraordinary organizational skills and the ability to work effectively under multiple supervisors.
- Strong project management and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and stakeholders across complex workflows.
- Demonstrated experience working independently with minimum supervision.
- A self-motivated individual who works independently and establishes themselves as a go-to contact for directory and award submissions.
- Willingness to work on other marketing and business development projects on a cross-functional basis, as needed, within the Clients & Markets Department.
- Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion.
- Remains open to technological change as generative AI becomes more integrated into the firm’s practice, actively develop comfort with new tools, and adapt how work is performed to support efficiency and innovation.
Required Experience
- 5+ years of public relations, communications, marketing or journalism experience preferred.
- Law firm experience strongly preferred.
Education:
Why Join Us?
- A values‑driven firm that fosters collaboration and respect
- The hiring range for this position is $94,000 - $117,000 annually, with final compensation based on experience, qualifications and internal equity.
- This position is eligible for a Hybrid Schedule
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with company match and profit-sharing options
- Paid time off and holidays
- For additional information about our benefits, please click here
Our Commitment
Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP (WilmerHale) is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to compliance with all applicable laws prohibiting employment discrimination. It is our policy to take all employment actions and make all employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, citizenship status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, disability, military status, status as a disabled or other protected veteran, or any other protected status under applicable law. WilmerHale will make reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities and otherwise as required by applicable law.
For more information about Equal Employment Opportunity, please click here.
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This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by employees in the position. It is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills for positions. The firm reserves the right at all times, in its sole discretion, to add or subtract duties and responsibilities, as it deems necessary.