Associate Director - Integrated Content

Build your big career with the firm that does Big Law, Better. McDermott Will & Schulte is a leading global law firm that brings together more than 1,700+ lawyers and 1,400 business professionals. We celebrate excellence, collaboration, and community and have been recognized as a top workplace by USA Today, Fortune, The American Lawyer, Vault and others. We are also certified by Great Place to Work. 

At McDermott, we don’t just invest in your future, we accelerate your career – wherever it may lead. That includes supporting you both in and outside of the office. 

With us, you’ll find: 

• A firm where everyone belongs: Our award-winning culture prioritizes warmth and authenticity — we encourage you to be yourself!  

• Enthusiasm for all perspectives: We’re smarter and stronger when everyone has a voice and a seat at the table. We welcome unique viewpoints and ideas, and we make opportunities for you and your career to thrive.  

• Support to feel your best and do your best: Wellness is integral to building a successful career and a rich life. That’s why our benefits program supports your physical, emotional, mental, and financial health, with an emphasis on work-life balance.  

• Real rewards for real work: We offer generous compensation packages that recognize hard work and excellence.   

Job Description:

The Associate Director, Integrated Content leads the firm's content strategy and function, overseeing a team responsible for developing high-impact, differentiated content that builds awareness of the firm's thought leadership and expertise, strengthens its market position, and creates demand by opening doors to meaningful client conversations. Reporting into the Director of Marketing and partnering across Marketing, Brand, Communications, Business Development, and firm leadership, this role defines the firm's content vision, editorial strategy, and flagship thought leadership initiatives, ensuring content aligns with buyer needs, business objectives, and brand standards across channels.

This role combines strategic leadership with hands-on content development and execution, leading by example to shape compelling narratives, develop impactful thought leadership, and deliver editorial excellence. The Associate Director builds and coaches a high-performing content team, manages external agency and contractor resources, and leverages AI and emerging technologies to scale content development, improve efficiency, and maximize impact. Working closely with attorneys and internal stakeholders, this leader advances a modern, integrated, data-informed content function that drives awareness, engagement, and measurable business impact.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities: 

• Develop and evolve the firm's integrated content and thought leadership strategy, aligning priorities with business objectives, market opportunities, buyer needs, and demand generation goals.

• Identify and prioritize high-impact content opportunities that build awareness of the firm's expertise, strengthen market positioning, generate demand, and open doors to meaningful client conversations.

• Serve as a senior advisor on editorial strategy and integrated content planning, partnering closely with Marketing to align content development with campaign strategies, audience needs, content format types and distribution plans, while collaborating with Brand, Communications, Business Development, and firm leadership to advance strategic priorities.

• Lead and execute high-profile thought leadership initiatives, including flagship reports, articles, client case studies, and other strategic content (videos, podcasts, etc.), demonstrating exceptional editorial judgment, storytelling, and content development capabilities.

• Translate complex legal, business, and market trends into compelling, differentiated content and narratives that resonate with clients and target audiences.

• Identify and pursue strategic third-party content partnerships, sponsorships, and co-created thought leadership opportunities that amplify the firm's expertise, expand market reach, and engage priority audiences.

• Establish editorial standards, best practices, and content development processes that ensure quality, consistency, efficiency, and alignment with the firm's brand and strategic priorities.

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing content team, building capabilities, providing hands-on guidance, and fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

• Manage external agency and contractor resources, ensuring quality, effective resource allocation, and alignment with content priorities and business objectives.

• Drive an insight-led approach to content strategy, leveraging performance analytics, audience behavior, and market intelligence to optimize content effectiveness, audience engagement, and business impact.

• Champion innovation in content development, leveraging AI, emerging formats, and new storytelling approaches to scale production, increase efficiency, and extend the reach and impact of the firm's expertise.

Job Specifications: 

• Bachelor's degree.

• 15+ years of experience in content strategy, thought leadership, editorial, communications, or marketing, preferably within a professional service or B2B environment.

• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute enterprise content strategies aligned with business objectives, audience needs, and demand generation goals.

• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with a proven ability to personally develop sophisticated, high-impact content across multiple formats and audiences.

• Strong executive presence and consultative skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders, challenge thinking, and shape compelling narratives.

• Experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives and collaborating effectively across Marketing, Communications, Business Development, and other functions.

• Strong understanding of content marketing, audience strategy, and performance measurement, with the ability to translate insights into actionable content decisions.

• Proven experience leading, coaching, and developing high-performing teams, building capabilities, and managing external writers, agencies, and editorial resources.

• Ability to balance strategic leadership with hands-on execution, managing competing priorities while maintaining exceptional quality.

• Demonstrated experience leveraging AI-enabled tools, emerging technologies, and evolving content practices to improve efficiency, scale production, and enhance content effectiveness.

Successful candidates will be provided with outstanding career opportunities and will receive a competitive total rewards package with the opportunity to earn performance-based bonuses.
     Target Hiring Range $198,000 - $309,000
Please note that quoted salary ranges are not guarantees of what final salary offers may be. Base pay is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and geographic location. Base pay is only one part of the Total Rewards that MWS provides to compensate and recognize our staff professionals for their work. Full time positions are eligible for a discretionary bonus and a comprehensive benefits package. 

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

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Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit, use hands, reach with hands and arms, stoop, talk and hear

• Employee must occasionally lift up to twenty (20) pounds

Work Environment:

Typical indoor office environment

Disclaimer:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people within this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this job.