Client events specialist

A&O Shearman is a new global industry-leading law firm, with nearly 50 offices in 29 countries worldwide.

Our fluency in English law, U.S. 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.

Department purpose and structure

The U.S. marketing & business development team (U.S. MKT Team) is a sophisticated group of experienced professionals charged with guiding the Firm’s fee earners to grow U.S. and global revenues, expand existing client relationships and strategically tackle new client pursuits.

This is a team that is all-in. As business professionals at one of the largest law firms in the world, the U.S. MKT Team thrives on market challenges and outside-the-box thinking. It is a team where fresh ideas are not only entertained, they are encouraged.


Role purpose

The U.S. client events specialist is a fantastic opportunity to gain global experience working for one of the largest law firms in the world and to learn the unique approach that a truly global firm utilizes towards business development and marketing.

This position reports to the client events manager – Americas and works closely with other members of the U.S. business development and marketing team and members of the A&O Shearman global community. This is an excellent opportunity for a junior to mid-level events professional to proactively support, plan, and execute market-leading events to help achieve the firm’s strategic vision.

Key relationships

• Director, marketing strategy & operations (based in New York)

• Client events manager – Americas (based in San Francisco)

• Client events manager – Americas (based in New York)

• Client events specialist (based in New York)

• U.S. business development team

• Peers across the wider and global business development, marketing and communications teams, including the central events team

Job Description

Context

The client events specialist will work collaboratively with the U.S. MKT team, lawyers, and other key individuals throughout the firm to develop, plan and execute successful client events.


Role and responsibilities

• Plans, coordinates, and executes key firm client events, including client dinners, receptions, hospitality events, conferences, and other programs.

• Supports all aspects of event management and production, including site selection, contract negotiation, programming, catering, audio-visual requirements, logistics, budget management, invitation creation and attendee lists, and on-site execution.

• Advises partners and business development colleagues on event strategy and format, aligning recommendations to practice and firm goals and expected business value.

• Collaborates with business development colleagues to identify target audiences, manage the invitation process, coordinate logistics, and support post-event follow-up as needed.

• Develops creative and innovative event concepts which meet budget and practice or firm objectives.

• Monitors and maintains event budgets throughout the planning process.

• Ensures compliance with the firm’s risk management and other applicable policies and procedures and manages firm resources responsibly.

• Produces post-event analysis for ROI tracking reporting on key metrics such as final budget, attendees, and recommendations for improvement.

• Supports team members pre- and on-site with events, as required.

• Introduces innovative new ideas to contribute to the business’s strategic priorities through event marketing.

• Monitors competitor activity and new developments in the events industry, including venues and suppliers.

• Performs other related duties as required to support the firm’s marketing and business development initiatives.

Team

This position reports to the client events manager – Americas and collaborates closely with other members of the U.S. business development and marketing team.


Key requirements

• Minimum of 3 years working in a high-profile, fast-paced environment (legal or professional services experience a plus but not required).

• Demonstrated experience managing event budgets, vendors, and contracts, and successfully delivering multiple events from planning through on-site execution.

• Strong New York venue knowledge preferred.

• High attention to detail and strong client focus, with an exceptional standard of delivery and service.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, interpersonal and influencing skills.

• A self-starter with strong organizational and project management skills, and the ability to prioritize and drive forward multiple projects.

• A culturally astute team player with the ability to work effectively with colleagues from other countries on cross‑border activities.

• A critical thinker who challenges established thinking and processes, continually learning and seeking new ideas.

• Strong commercial awareness, negotiation skills, and sound judgment.

• Willingness and enthusiasm to develop an in-depth understanding of the U.S. legal market.

• Flexibility to work additional hours and travel when required.

• Strong knowledge of Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams) and experience using event management and CRM tools (Monday.com, Vuture, Dynamics) and virtual event platforms (GlobalMeet), with the ability to learn new software quickly.

• Bachelor’s degree required.

This is an outstanding opportunity for an events professional to work closely with an energetic group of people in a busy law firm environment. We are looking for an individual who is proactive, persistent, committed to “getting the job done,” and a supportive colleague.

Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and disability

A&O Shearman is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability. Every individual has the right to work in a professional environment that promotes equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination and harassment. This policy applies to all aspects of an individual’s relationship with A&O Shearman, including, without limitation, recruitment, hiring, training and development, promotion, compensation, discipline, termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.

If you are vision-impaired or have another disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act or similar law and wish to discuss accommodations related to applying for employment at A&O Shearman, please contact US HR Transactions at US-HRTransactions@aoshearman.com or call 1 212 610 6300 and ask for HR Transactions.

This role is open to our New York office. For individuals assigned to or hired for this opportunity in New York, the estimated annualized base salary range for this position is $96,000-$120,000. The actual base salary offered will depend on the overall qualifications of the individual applicant for the position and other job-related factors permitted by law. We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package which includes a discretionary bonus, paid leave, life, health, accident, and disability insurance; and a 401(k) plan.

Salary : $96,000 - $120,000