Directories Specialist

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Directories Specialist to join the Marketing team, based in the A&O Shearman Belfast office.

Marketing team – Belfast

Our business development, marketing and communication teams contribute to the setting and achievement of the firm's business objectives, which includes supporting our partners and associates in their pursuit of becoming our clients' trusted advisers, building and maintaining long-lasting, deep institutional client relationships, winning new clients, increasing the visibility of the firm globally, and positioning the firm as the thought leader and most advanced law firm among the global elite law firms. The function works as one team across the globe with very close collaboration between the central teams and professionals supporting offices, practice groups, sectors and clients.

What you will do

The Directories Specialist will provide administrative and operational support to the firm’s legal directories programme. The role focuses on coordination, document and data management, quality control, tracking and logistics, working closely with the Directories Manager to maintain efficient processes, uphold accuracy and consistency, and facilitate timely, high‑quality submissions.

You will:

• Support the smooth running of the directories programme by delivering reliable coordination and rigorous administration across all stages of the cycle:

• Maintain central trackers for deadlines, tasks, stakeholder reviews and approvals, ensuring there is one accurate, up-to-date version accessible to relevant teams.
• Support the delivery and continuous improvement of best‑practice guidance, toolkits and training logistics for partners and fee earners, maintaining shared resources and updating materials as directed.
• Monitor directories methodologies and timelines published by Chambers, Legal 500 and other relevant guides; capture changes in the tracker and flag implications to the Directories Manager.
• Partner with communications colleagues to help organise the distribution and internal amplification of rankings, quotes and accolades, ensuring accurate records and linkage to profiles and channels.
• Support budget administration, updating budget trackers, and aligning with procurement policies and approvals.
• Contribute to post‑cycle analysis by collecting results, feedback and competitor insights into standard logs and dashboards, enabling the Directories Manager to produce actionable recommendations.
• Assist in coordinating interactions with the external supplier where relevant (e.g., scheduling briefings, managing logistics, tracking deliverables), escalating risks or blockers appropriately.
• Maintain shared resources, templates, guidance materials and intranet content as directed by the Directories Manager.

What you will have

• Working knowledge of legal directories (Chambers and Legal 500) and their cycles.
• Strong project management experience in a legal setting, including coordinating teams and managing timelines and deliverables.
• Experience working with an external organisation, supplier or agency, demonstrating effective collaboration and relationship management.
• Confident in building relationships, building trust with partners and providing advice to practice groups and researchers as needed.
• High standards of quality control and attention to detail, including handling confidential information and approvals.
• Resilient, calm under pressure, and solutions‑oriented. Proactive in improving processes.

What we can offer you

We recognise that our people are our most valuable asset, which is reflected in the wide range of benefits that are available to our employees. Some of these benefits include: our occupational pension scheme, group income protection cover, private medical insurance, mental health resources and free apps, health and wellbeing services encompassing GP service, emergency back-up care support, parental and special leave, holiday entitlement increasing with length of service, holiday trading, online discounts and lifestyle management services.
We recognise the value of flexible working and embrace hybrid working, allowing our people to work from home up to 40% of their working time. We do, however, remain committed to working together in person for the remaining 60% of time so that we can learn, grow and succeed together.

Should you require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process due to a disability or a health condition, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our recruitment team who will work with you to provide any adjustments as required.

We are an equal opportunities recruiter and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

If this role is not of interest we may have another suitable opportunity here for you at A&O Shearman! Visit our careers portal at A&O Shearman Careers and submit your CV to our Talent Network to be notified when the perfect opportunity becomes available.

[#video#https://youtu.be/WLYCYtSfJoc{#400,300#}{#400,300#}#/video#] A&O Shearman is a new global industry-leading law firm, with 48 offices in 28 countries worldwide. Our fluency in English law, US law, and the laws of the world’s most dynamic markets, enables us to provide unmatched insight and seamless delivery to clients. We work on challenging and important deals and disputes that have the potential to shape the future.

We offer exceptional opportunities for our people; opportunities to work for the world’s leading businesses; to transform the status quo, and to deliver your best work, helping you and your career to thrive, while delivering unparalleled outcomes for our clients.

Whether you're helping clients solve complex challenges, transforming the ways we manage our business, or ensuring the smooth-running of our operations, this is an environment where you can belong and excel. We provide first-rate training and development, we are committed to an inclusive environment, and we provide support and ways of working that help you optimise your wellbeing.

What truly defines a career with us? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. And together, we will redefine success.