Regional Marketing Coordinator – (Flexible Schedule)

US Job Description

Firm Information

Reed Smith is a dynamic international law firm dedicated to helping clients move their businesses forward. With an inclusive culture and innovative mindset, we deliver smarter, more creative legal services that drive better outcomes for our clients. Our deep industry knowledge, long-standing relationships, and collaborative structure make us the go-to partner for complex disputes, transactions, and regulatory matters. Now celebrating more than 145 years of service, our firm spans 30 offices with 3,000 people, including 1,700 lawyers.

Much like the city itself, Reed Smith’s Chicago office owes much of its success to hard work and a strong focus on the future. Reed Smith’s Chicago office is strategically significant both in North America and abroad, representing clients spanning key sectors such as financial services, private equity, energy, manufacturing and technology. Dedicated to shaping the next generation of leaders, many Reed Smith Chicago partners and associates teach at local business and law schools and volunteer as mentors in various professional associations.

Position Summary

The regional marketers (“RMs”) are those on the “front lines” of the Marketing Department and act as the go-to person for all marketing efforts driven by their assigned offices or regions. RMs’ projects are primarily driven by the Office Managing Partner (“OMP”) in their office, and in relation to firm-wide branding campaigns executed locally. In addition, RMs provide support for industry/practice development efforts within their region, in collaboration with Business Development (“BD”).

This position is responsible for strategically executing various regional and practice group marketing initiatives in the Chicago market. The individual is the regional marketer in the region, and as such, must be visible, approachable, flexible, and proactive. The regional marketing coordinator should have a solid understanding of the Chicago business, philanthropic, and political community.

Essential Functions

Office Managing Partner (OMP) relationship and elevating the Reed Smith brand in Chicago:

Collaborate directly with the OMP to coordinate and oversee all external and client-facing initiatives in the Chicago market
Support strategic development and tactical deployment of marketing programs that build the Reed Smith brand within the Chicago market including advertising, sponsorships, client educational and entertainment events, and community support initiatives. Leverage broader firm-wide client development and profile-raising efforts
Coordinate community support and office-supported practice development sponsorships at the local level, including ads, branding, attendance at events, and evaluating ROI
Work with OMP to determine viability of regional market client entertainment requests (such as sporting events) and client receptions. Execute requests according to established best practices, including site selection, mailing list development and circulation of same, tracking RSVPs, logistics for guest reception, on-site management, and follow-up with targets. Regional entertainment may be on behalf of practice groups, OMP, or industry-related groups
Coordinate with the OMP on regional marketing budget matters. This includes consultation on budget development (defining priority programs for funding); monitoring actual expenditures versus budget; evaluating expenses; (re)classifying expenses; maintaining budget files; contacting Accounts Payable with questions or to request investigation; verifying expenses and invoices; and preparing check requests
Drive internal communications for the offices and report marketing/BD successes
Work directly with the OMP to monitor competitive developments within the region and recommend marketing responses
Work with OMP and the office administrative teams to develop and implement the offices strategic plan
Implement firm-wide branding campaigns at the local/regional level as assigned
Gather financial information through various financial report links specific to objectives of requests and synthesize that information into usable presentation formats
Act as local support for firm-wide initiatives, such as Alumni, Diversity & Inclusion/ Women’s Initiative, Pro Bono
Stay abreast of PR activity & initiatives relating to assigned region and connect lawyers with PR team members as matters/projects arise
Participate in the new attorney onboarding process
Oversee external local/regional marketing vendor relationships
Work with in-house Graphics Team to prepare appropriate community support advertisements, invitations, and other collateral designs
Track attorney board memberships, leadership activity & professional affiliations

Collaboration with Business Development (BD) on Practice and Industry- Driven Projects

Organize and perform marketing & BD training for lawyers locally as needed/requested and educate lawyers and secretaries in assigned region regarding new processes
Lateral recruitment – assist with local elements of the onboarding plan with appropriate PR/Communications and BD team
Work with BD to gather information on and assess membership opportunities in regional business and/or trade organizations and boards
Collaborate with BD on region-specific marketing collateral as needed

Events

Organize all in-person, hybrid, and virtual regional profile-raising & cross-practice events, including community support galas/dinners, office anniversary/milestone events, webinars, internal Senior Management/Executive Committee meetings and regional MCLE Days (multiple- practice) according to established best practices, including: site selection, mailing list development and circulation of same, tracking RSVPs, catering management, logistics for guest reception, on-site management, and follow-up with targets, etc.
In collaboration with practice group events/seminars, team with BD members with on-site logistics and execution. This would include event registration, conference room reservations, and liaising with guest reception and hospitality

Marketing Liaison role with an assigned Business Inclusion Group (BIG)

Participating in BIG Leadership Team meetings to share ideas, provide marketing advice, and develop programs and initiatives
Coordinate the planning, research, coordination, and execution of client-facing BIG events and firm initiatives in collaboration with the DE&I Core Team, other BIGs, and/or external partners
Collaborating with the BIG Leadership Team to share ideas, develop content, and produce external communications (videos, web content, brochures, social media posts, etc.)
Collaborating with the BIG Leadership Team to develop its annual budget and strategic plan
Developing, coordinating, and executing client-facing BIG focus month activities with BIG leadership
Organizing the BIGs’ library of marketing assets, content, and collateral
Coordinate with the DE&I Core Team to share new BIG content and updates to existing BIG content
Maintain BIG boilerplate content created for client-facing presentations and proposals
Working with the various marketing functions (Design, RS Events, Communications, Marketing Solutions, etc.) to produce materials needed for BIG initiatives and make arrangements for client-facing BIG events

Requirements

Education: College-level training in Marketing or related field or related experience.

Experience: Two to five years’ experience in Legal Marketing, professional services or Chicago community roles preferred in a coordinator role requiring independent work and demonstrated project & personnel leadership.

Skills: Strong computer skills including advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Ability to work with little supervision. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. Must have high degree of poise and professionalism when interacting with internal and external contacts. Ability to prioritize workload and solve problems quickly. Must be able to assist individuals of various levels with needs and problems and react to difficult situations appropriately.

Other

Equipment to Be Used: Personal computer and other office equipment such as telephone, calculator, fax machine, copier, scanner, etc.

Typical Physical Demands: Manual dexterity sufficient to operate standard office equipment.

Typical Mental Demands: Able to deal with stress associated with fast-paced work environment. Multiple priorities/tasks. Make judgment decisions and adapt to changing work situations. Grasp and apply new ideas. Communicate with various personalities at all levels.

Working Conditions: Works in typical office setting. Occasionally called upon to work hours in excess of your normal daily schedule.

Reed Smith offers a challenging work environment, business casual dress code, and a total compensation package that includes a competitive salary, flexible benefits program, tuition assistance, and generous 401 (k) plan.

Qualified candidates only, No search firms.

Reed Smith is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Reed Smith’s success depends heavily on the effective utilization of qualified people, regardless of their race, ancestry, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, veteran’s status, or any characteristic protected by law. As a firm, we adhere to and promote equal employment opportunity for all.
Reed Smith LLP