Manager, Awards, Rankings & Recognition - (Hybrid Schedule)

US Job DescriptionFirm InformationReed 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.Our team of 3,000 people (including more than 1,600 lawyers) across more than 30 offices in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, operate as one global partnership to drive progress for our clients, for ourselves and for our communities.Position SummaryThe Manager, Awards, Rankings & Recognition the global Awards, Rankings & Recognition team responsible for all legal directory and award submissions across the firm. This role oversees the strategic evaluation, planning, and execution of submissions to elevate the firm’s market position and promote its leading industry and practice areas, as well as its most outstanding lawyers. The Manager determines which opportunities to pursue based on alignment with firm business development goals, strategic growth priorities, and brand impact. They manage all follow-on actions related to tracking, analyzing, synthesizing, and disseminating information on rankings and awards performance.Job Duties And ResponsibilitiesLead, mentor, and manage the global Award, Rankings & Recognition team, fostering collaboration, accountability, and high performance.Guide and support the firm’s business development/regional marketing teams and lawyers in preparing, submitting, and following up on global directory submissions, offering strategic insights to improve rankings and recognition.Evaluate and determine which rankings, awards, and recognitions to pursue in alignment with firm priorities and BD strategy.Oversee annual budget process for directory submissions, including negotiation of contracts with external consultants and maximizing ROI from firm spend.Direct and manage external directory submission consultants, enforcing firm standards and ensuring performance against KPIs.Serve as primary liaison with directory editors, researchers, and award organizers, building strong relationships and staying updated on methodological changes.Maintain and oversee the global recognition calendar, ensuring timely, high-quality submissions from all practice groups and regions.Establish, enforce, and refine critical path timelines, go/no-go processes, and best practices for submissions.Review, edit, and approve submission content to ensure brand consistency, accuracy, and alignment with firm messaging.Deliver training, workshops, and one-on-one coaching for lawyers and marketing staff on submissions strategy, content quality, and process efficiency.Coordinate with PR and marketing teams to evaluate and vet additional award opportunities outside of priority rankings, maintaining a central database of non-priority opportunities.Ensure all recognition-related content is integrated into firm systems, including document management, CRM, and pitch/proposal databases.Track, analyze, and synthesize rankings and submissions data for firmwide reporting, including dashboards and strategic insights for senior leadership.Oversee the internal and external promotion of awards and rankings through the firm’s website, social media, newsletters, and internal channels.Collaborate with BD, Communications, and Marketing teams to integrate rankings and awards into broader business development initiatives.Continuously innovate and improve global submissions processes, integrating best practices across regions while accommodating local market differences.Maintain strong relationships with key editors, researchers, and reporters to enhance firm visibility and influence.Provide tailored information on awards and rankings for pitches, proposals, recruiting materials, and marketing collateral.Deliver actionable insights back to the business to support both business development and reputation enhancement.All other duties as assigned.Job duties and responsibilities included are not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary. Reed Smith reserves the right to revise or modify job duties and responsibilities at any time.RequirementsEducation: Bachelor’s degree in Journalism or English.Experience: 5–7 years’ experience in law firm marketing, with experience in a management capacity; experience with directory submissions preferred, with specific experience in ranking or rewards.SkillsSuperior project management and relationship building skills. Must be organized and detail-oriented, with ability to synthesize and convey complex information in a commercially relevant manner. Strong persuasive writing skills with the judgment, integrity, and confidence to make decisions based on merit rather than politics or precedent.Ability to work independently and in a team on deadline. MS Word and Excel proficiency. Understanding of Sharepoint, SmartSurvey, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams desired.Able to work effectively in a fast paced environment. Able to make judgment decisions and adapt to changing work situations. Able to grasp and apply new ideas. Able to communicate with various personalities at all levels.Ability to use independent judgment and discretion and adapt to changing work situations.OtherSupervisory Responsibilities: Directly supervises Recognition Coordinators.Equipment To Be Used: Personal computer and other office equipment such as telephone, calculator, copier, scanner, etc.Essential Job FunctionsAbility to sit or stand for extended periods and perform tasks requiring prolonged and/or extensive computer use. Use computers, telecommunications, and digital collaboration tools to perform core job responsibilities. Ability to communicate effectively. Ability to work long days or extended hours as required to meet project, client, or business demands. Travel for meetings and training as required. Must work in office as required.Working Conditions: You will be required to work in the office at minimum 4 days per week. Occasionally called upon to work hours in excess of your normal daily schedule. The details of your weekly schedule will be discussed further with your direct supervisor.Pay Ranges: This represents the presently-anticipated low and high end of Reed Smith’s pay range for this position. Actual pay may vary based on various factors, including but not limited to location and experience.Pittsburgh/Miami/Dallas/Houston/Atlanta - $118,000 - $134,000Chicago/Philadelphia - $126,000 - $144,000Princeton/Washington, D.C. - $134,000 - $153,000New York - $139,000 - $158,000Employee Benefits OverviewOur comprehensive benefits package includes:401(k) Retirement PlanMedical InsuranceHealth Savings Account (HSA)Virtual Health ServicesDental InsuranceVision InsuranceAccident InsuranceHospital Indemnity InsuranceCritical Illness InsuranceLife InsuranceShort-Term Disability CoverageLong-Term Disability CoverageFlexible Spending Accounts (FSA)Lyra Health Employee Assistance Program (EAP)Paid Family Leave (for eligible Exempt and Non-Exempt staff)Transportation BenefitBack-up Child Care ServicesCollege Coach ProgramPet InsurancePaid Sick Time (for Exempt staff)Paid Time Off (available to all full-time, non-temporary employees)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.Reed Smith is an Equal Opportunity Employer with Core Values of Integrity, Excellence, Teamwork & Respect, Innovation, and Impact. Reed Smith also provides reasonable accommodations in accordance with law, including in the application and interview process.Qualified candidates only. No search firms.