Marketing Director Jobs in Chicago, IL
Marketing Director jobs in Chicago are concentrated in the Loop, River North, and Merchandise Mart district, driven by demand across consumer packaged goods, financial services, healthcare, and agency work. Employers hiring right now include Kraft Heinz, Viral Nation, and JPMorganChase. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Marketing Director JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 112+ Marketing Director jobs
About Us
Founded in 1992, Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP is a nationally recognized, full-service litigation firm with seven offices and a longstanding reputation for excellence in advocacy and client service. The firm represents businesses, institutions, and individuals in complex litigation and transactional matters nationwide across a broad range of industries and practice areas.
For more than three decades, the firm has built its reputation on delivering practical, strategic, and results-driven counsel while developing lasting relationships with its clients. Swanson, Martin & Bell combines the resources and capabilities of a sophisticated litigation firm with a collaborative, collegial culture and a strong commitment to the professional growth of its attorneys and staff. To learn more, visit: www.smbtrials.com.
Position Summary
Our Firm is seeking a Director of Marketing & Business Development to lead our Marketing department. This individual plays a vital role in shaping and executing Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP’s marketing strategy to drive business growth, client acquisition, attorney visibility, and Firm reputation. This is an excellent opportunity for a marketing professional who enjoys combining strategy, analytics, and relationship development in a sophisticated legal environment.
The ideal candidate is a proactive and highly collaborative professional who can manage multiple priorities, work effectively with attorneys and executives, and turn data and market insights into actionable business development opportunities.
Position Responsibilities
- Lead the firm’s marketing and business development function, overseeing strategy, day-to-day operations, departmental budgeting, vendors, and firmwide initiatives.
- Work closely with the Executive Committee and CFO to develop and implement firmwide marketing and business development strategies, priorities, budgets, and special initiatives.
- Develop and execute business development strategies, including attorney business plans, individual coaching, practice group marketing, cross-marketing initiatives, and client development efforts.
- Partner with practice group leaders and attorneys to identify marketing and business development opportunities, establish goals, and support sponsorships, conferences, events, and client-facing initiatives.
- Manage the firm’s external communications and brand presence, including website content, social media, press releases, advertising, media monitoring, firm photography, attorney headshots, and brand materials.
- Manage legal industry rankings, awards, surveys, and submissions, including Chambers, Legal 500, Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Leading Lawyers, Law360, Crain’s, Chicago Lawyer/Law Bulletin, and miscellaneous surveys.
- Maintain firm credentials and experience materials, including verdict and representative matter databases, master experience lists, practice group materials, and other business development collateral.
- Oversee attorney profile management, including website biographies, marketing materials, attorney announcements, and marketing processes for new and departing attorneys.
- Plan and coordinate marketing and business development programs, events, and initiatives that support attorney engagement, client development, and firm visibility.
- Support the firm’s internal committees with communications, events, sponsorships, and marketing initiatives.
- Manage marketing vendors, contracts, invoices, and outside partners, including designers, photographers, venues, and other service providers.
- Collaborate with firm leadership and administrative departments on firmwide initiatives, policies, processes, and special projects.
- Monitor and respond to incoming marketing and website inquiries, ensuring requests and potential opportunities are routed to the appropriate attorneys or departments.
- Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, public relations, or a related field is required.
- 8+ years of proven experience in marketing or communications is required, preferably within a legal environment.
- Must live within a commutable distance to our Chicago office with the ability to come into the office 5 days per week (Monday-Friday).
- Experience advising partners, senior executives, or other professional stakeholders on marketing and business development strategy.
- Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
- Experience managing external vendors and driving accountability against strategic objectives.
- Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and budget simultaneously.
- Strong business judgement, discretion, and decision-making skills in high-pressure and time-sensitive situations.
- Willingness and ability to manage time sensitive projects outside of standard business hours when required.
Compensation and Benefits
$125,000-$135,000, depending on experience
Swanson Martin & Bell, LLP offers an excellent benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, qualified transportation benefits, life insurance, vacation and sick time, holiday pay, and 401(k).
About Us
Founded in 1992, Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP is a nationally recognized, full-service litigation firm with seven offices and a longstanding reputation for excellence in advocacy and client service. The firm represents businesses, institutions, and individuals in complex litigation and transactional matters nationwide across a broad range of industries and practice areas.
For more than three decades, the firm has built its reputation on delivering practical, strategic, and results-driven counsel while developing lasting relationships with its clients. Swanson, Martin & Bell combines the resources and capabilities of a sophisticated litigation firm with a collaborative, collegial culture and a strong commitment to the professional growth of its attorneys and staff. To learn more, visit: www.smbtrials.com.
Position Summary
Our Firm is seeking a Director of Marketing & Business Development to lead our Marketing department. This individual plays a vital role in shaping and executing Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP’s marketing strategy to drive business growth, client acquisition, attorney visibility, and Firm reputation. This is an excellent opportunity for a marketing professional who enjoys combining strategy, analytics, and relationship development in a sophisticated legal environment.
The ideal candidate is a proactive and highly collaborative professional who can manage multiple priorities, work effectively with attorneys and executives, and turn data and market insights into actionable business development opportunities.
Position Responsibilities
- Lead the firm’s marketing and business development function, overseeing strategy, day-to-day operations, departmental budgeting, vendors, and firmwide initiatives.
- Work closely with the Executive Committee and CFO to develop and implement firmwide marketing and business development strategies, priorities, budgets, and special initiatives.
- Develop and execute business development strategies, including attorney business plans, individual coaching, practice group marketing, cross-marketing initiatives, and client development efforts.
- Partner with practice group leaders and attorneys to identify marketing and business development opportunities, establish goals, and support sponsorships, conferences, events, and client-facing initiatives.
- Manage the firm’s external communications and brand presence, including website content, social media, press releases, advertising, media monitoring, firm photography, attorney headshots, and brand materials.
- Manage legal industry rankings, awards, surveys, and submissions, including Chambers, Legal 500, Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Leading Lawyers, Law360, Crain’s, Chicago Lawyer/Law Bulletin, and miscellaneous surveys.
- Maintain firm credentials and experience materials, including verdict and representative matter databases, master experience lists, practice group materials, and other business development collateral.
- Oversee attorney profile management, including website biographies, marketing materials, attorney announcements, and marketing processes for new and departing attorneys.
- Plan and coordinate marketing and business development programs, events, and initiatives that support attorney engagement, client development, and firm visibility.
- Support the firm’s internal committees with communications, events, sponsorships, and marketing initiatives.
- Manage marketing vendors, contracts, invoices, and outside partners, including designers, photographers, venues, and other service providers.
- Collaborate with firm leadership and administrative departments on firmwide initiatives, policies, processes, and special projects.
- Monitor and respond to incoming marketing and website inquiries, ensuring requests and potential opportunities are routed to the appropriate attorneys or departments.
- Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, public relations, or a related field is required.
- 8+ years of proven experience in marketing or communications is required, preferably within a legal environment.
- Must live within a commutable distance to our Chicago office with the ability to come into the office 5 days per week (Monday-Friday).
- Experience advising partners, senior executives, or other professional stakeholders on marketing and business development strategy.
- Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
- Experience managing external vendors and driving accountability against strategic objectives.
- Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and budget simultaneously.
- Strong business judgement, discretion, and decision-making skills in high-pressure and time-sensitive situations.
- Willingness and ability to manage time sensitive projects outside of standard business hours when required.
Compensation and Benefits
$125,000-$135,000, depending on experience
Swanson Martin & Bell, LLP offers an excellent benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, qualified transportation benefits, life insurance, vacation and sick time, holiday pay, and 401(k).
See All 112+ Marketing Director Jobs in Chicago
Find roles in Chicago that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Marketing Director JobsMarketing Director Job Market in Chicago
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Insurance
- Media & Entertainment
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Hospitality & Tourism
Marketing Director Jobs in Chicago: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a marketing director job in Chicago?
Target the sectors where Chicago marketing director hiring is densest: CPG brands headquartered on the North Shore, financial services firms in the Loop, large healthcare systems across the metro, and independent agencies in River North and Fulton Market. Candidates who can show measurable brand or demand-gen results and experience managing cross-functional teams stand out. Chicago employers also value familiarity with both B2B and B2C go-to-market strategy.
Which companies hire marketing directors in Chicago?
Employers hiring marketing directors in Chicago right now include Kraft Heinz, Viral Nation, and JPMorganChase, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Chicago's mix of Fortune 500 headquarters, major health systems, and a dense independent agency scene means openings exist across company sizes and marketing disciplines.
Are there remote marketing director jobs in Chicago?
Yes, though availability depends on the role: strategy-heavy and digital-focused director positions tend to go remote or hybrid more readily than brand or event-led roles requiring on-site presence. About 63% of marketing director openings tied to Chicago are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting broader industry flexibility. Content, digital acquisition, and analytics-oriented director roles in Chicago are the most likely to offer location flexibility.
How can I get a marketing director job in Chicago with little or no experience?
The most realistic path in Chicago is moving up through a senior manager or associate director role at one of the city's large agencies in River North or Fulton Market, or within the marketing departments of major CPG or healthcare companies in the metro. Chicago's strong agency ecosystem regularly promotes internally, making it a practical entry point. Building a portfolio showing campaign ownership and budget responsibility is the clearest signal Chicago hiring managers look for.
Which industries hire the most marketing directors in Chicago?
The sectors hiring the most marketing directors in Chicago are Technology & Software, Insurance, and Media & Entertainment, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Chicago's role as a national headquarters city for consumer brands, insurance firms, and integrated health systems creates consistent, year-round director-level marketing demand across these verticals.
Related Jobs in Illinois
See All 112+ Marketing Director Jobs in Chicago
Find roles in Chicago that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Marketing Director Jobs