Chief Marketing Officer

Vedder Price's Chicago office is looking for a Chief Marketing Officer. The Chief Marketing Officer is an integral part of the Firm’s leadership team and is responsible for initiating and executing all marketing activities and events, Firm-branding initiatives, and marketing efforts. The CMO is a highly visible role, responsible for implementing the Firm’s strategic planning initiatives for marketing growth and increasing profitability. This professional is responsible for helping to build a business support culture within the firm, developing responsive and effective marketing operations and processes, as well as formulating and standardizing firm communications that brand Vedder Price as a leading legal services provider in its target markets. The CMO is responsible for guiding the development, implementation, and use of marketing-related systems, while leading the global marketing team and function.

As the Chief Marketing Officer, your duties will include but not be limited to:

• Builds, develops, and leads a premier client support function and creates a culture of accountability to the Firm’s Shareholders and strategic goals
• Provides direction to members of the Firm’s various practice areas and practice groups for the development of marketing and practice development initiatives
• Attends and participates in the Firm’s various practice area and group meetings to discuss marketing and practice development activities
• Collaborates with attorneys in preparing pitches, client presentations and responses to RFPs
• Collaborates with the attorneys and the Business Development Department to facilitate the planning, implementation and follow-up of new business or cross-marketing opportunities
• Oversees the implementation of key client programs and other service initiatives to deepen and further grow the Firm’s key client relationships
• Collaborates with the attorneys and the Business Development Department to aid in the development of new business proposals, marketing materials and presentations
• Works with attorneys to update and maintain key databases (clients/contacts, transactions)
• Leads the distribution of Firm publications, including mailings for client updates, announcements and other client development-related materials
• Works with attorneys who join the Firm laterally to ensure a timely integration into the Firm
• Engineers an approach to promote the Firm through seminars, newsletters, advertising, event planning and Firm participation in community activities
• Leads the development, management, and stewardship of the Firm’s brand through the use of marketing initiatives, events, media, social media, technology, and internal and external communication
• Meets established deadlines for all projects while overseeing flawless execution
• Ensures visibility of the marketing function and team within the Firm and legal industry, through direct contact with attorneys and clients, as well as participation in industry events, and providing thoughtful client relationship advancement analysis and recommendations
• Works with Firm leadership to develop, manage, and meet a Firm-wide marketing budget and ensure resource allocation is consistent with the Firm’s strategic priorities
• Establishes and maintains a staffing structure to support the marketing efforts of the Firm, including regularly evaluating and assessing the capabilities of the team and making thoughtful changes when and where necessary, ensuring the management and development of the team
• Other duties as necessary or assigned

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong attention to detail and ability to multi-task
• Creative and innovative
• Exceptional project management skills
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, written and verbal skills
• Ability to lead and direct a team
• Demonstrable success creating, articulating, developing, implementing, and tracking strategies geared to market and revenue growth
• Commitment to continuous development of best practices and innovation in all areas of marketing and practice development

Qualifications & Required Experience:

• B.A. in marketing, communications or related business field; advanced degree a plus
• Expert, savvy understanding of social media and other new technologies and how they relate to marketing, branding, and contacts specifically in a law Firm
• 15+ years of marketing experience with a professional services Firm and a proven track record of success
• Position also requires the ability to work under pressure to meet strict deadlines.

Computer Skills:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be proficient in the following software:

• Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
• InterAction or other related Client Relationship

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Vedder Price P.C. is an equal opportunity employer. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability (where applicant is qualified to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations), medical condition, protected veteran status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We participate in E-verify.

Applicants who are interested in applying for a position and require special assistance or an accommodation during the process due to a disability should contact the Vedder Price Recruiting Team at vprecruiting@vedderprice.com.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)