Associate Director, Client Development

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 235,000 - 285,000; Full time

Job summary

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP in Chicago is seeking an Associate Director of Client Development & Engagement to lead a strategic, integrated program across Private Equity, Family Office, Funds, and related practices. You will partner with senior attorneys and office leadership to grow client relationships and drive firm-wide growth objectives.

The role requires 11+ years of experience, strong strategic and leadership capabilities, and the ability to orchestrate multi-practice initiatives within

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; JD or MBA preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience in business development for professional services is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of strategic pitches, proposals, and RFP responses for Family Office and related practices.
• Oversee firm-sponsored events and presentations and manage associated logistics.
• Partner with attorneys to develop client strategies and opportunity pipelines.
• Prepare directory submissions and surveys for relevant directories and publications.
• Guide client-facing materials to align with Firm priorities and capabilities.
• Maintain the Firm’s engagement database and cross-channel experience

Skills

Business development

Communication skills

Project management

Cross-functional

Research & analysis

CRM experience

MS Office skills

AI tools usage

Education

Bachelor’s degree

JD or MBA preferred

Advertising/Marketing/PR focus

Tools

MS Office (Outlook/Word/Excel)

CRM systems

Job description

Many of the world’s largest organizations, including the world’s most successful and innovative investment firms, have turned to Simpson Thacher for smart solutions to critical commercial challenges. This role is a high-impact opportunity to partner with senior attorneys and Client Development & Engagement leaders to showcase the Firm’s experience, deepen client relationships, and support the strategic growth of the Chicago office. You join a dynamic team that values initiative, collaboration, and intellectual curiosity, and work closely with colleagues who support the Family Office and Private Equity practices, as well as the global Client Development & Engagement team.

The Associate Director serves as the CDE leader in Chicago, driving an integrated client development strategy across the Firm’s Private Equity, Family Office, Funds, and related practices for the Chicago office, in coordination with and in support of broader Firm- and practice-level client development strategy. This role partners directly with Chicago office leadership and is responsible for building and executing a cohesive business development program for the Chicago office that strengthens and supports the Firm’s global growth objectives. This role will report to the CDE Director, Private Equity, and will work closely with the CDE Directors and teams across M&A, Private Equity and Funds.

The Associate Director is responsible for implementing specific marketing and client development strategies through research and analysis, marketing communications, content administration, events, and presentations. This role provides research and analysis on clients, competitors, markets and industries and supports the Firm’s client development, internal process-building, and branding initiatives to ensure the Firm’s high standard of excellence is met. This role will also lead and oversee the preparation of pitches, proposals, and responses to RFPs led by the Chicago office across Private Equity, Family Office, Funds, and related practices, ensuring that materials are compelling, differentiated, and reflective of the Firm’s full capabilities and in coordination with broader practice strategies and priorities.

The Associate Director operates with a high degree of independence and judgment, serving as a trusted adviser to partners in the Private Equity, Family Office, and Funds practices on client development strategy, market positioning, and growth initiatives related to the Family Office practice, the Chicago office, and the Midwest region, while also working closely with the CDE Directors who lead these practice groups Firm-wide. This role is responsible for shaping these priorities, integrating cross-practice efforts, and ensuring that the Firm’s capabilities are presented clearly, consistently, and competitively to clients and the market.

Responsibilities

Practice & Sector Strategy

• Serve as the Client Development & Engagement lead for the Family Office practice globally and for Private Equity, Funds, and related practices across the Chicago office in coordination with the CDE Directors who lead these practice groups Firm-wide.
• Advise partners on client development strategies, market trends, competitive positioning, and growth opportunities across relevant practices, in close coordination with the CDE Directors who lead these practice groups Firm-wide.
• Support the integration of Family Office, Private Equity, Funds, Exempt Organizations and Personal Planning, Regulatory, M&A, Tax, ECEB, and related practices into a cohesive family office offering.
• Anticipate and proactively address the business development and client engagement needs of Chicago office leadership, partnering across relevant practices in the Chicago office.

Client Development & Growth Initiatives

• Lead the development of strategic pitches, proposals, and responses to RFPs for Family Office and relatedspecialist areas, exercising judgment on positioning, messaging, and prioritization.
• Lead the development of Firm-sponsored events and presentations and oversee event logistics (e.g., invitation formatting, contract review, budget planning, RSVP management, and follow-up assistance).
• Partner with attorneys to develop tailored client strategies, related plans, and opportunity pipelines.
• Prepare or oversee the preparation and management of directory submissions and survey responses for legal and business directories and publications relevant to Family Office and Chicago focus areas.
• Provide strategic guidance on client-facing materials, ensuring alignment with Firm priorities and consistent articulation of capabilities.
• Work with CDE team members to accurately maintain the Firm’s engagement database and relevant experience across all channels, as well as other operations and systems.

Market Intelligence & Insight

• Oversee research and analysis related to clients, prospects, competitors, and industry trends impacting family offices.
• Translate complex market and regulatory developments into actionable insights for relevant practices.
• Ensure intelligence and insights are synthesized at a strategic level, rather than delivered as raw research.

Cross-Practice Coordination & Execution

• Act as a central point of coordination in Chicago across Family Office, Private Equity, and related practices to support integrated client development efforts with the CDE Directors who lead these practice groups Firm-wide.
• Collaborate with communications, events, and other Client Development & Engagement colleagues to deliver cohesive, high-impact initiatives.
• Exercise discretion and prioritization in managing demand, ensuring focus on high-value, strategic work.

Leadership & Team Development

• Build and develop the Chicago CDE team over time, establishing the infrastructure, talent, and culture needed to support the Firm’s Chicago office.
• Provide guidance, mentorship, and oversight to junior Client Development & Engagement team members supporting Family Office, Private Equity, Funds, Exempt Organizations and Personal Planning, Regulatory, Tax, ECEB, and related practices in the Chicago office.
• Set clear expectations, review work product, and support professional development within the team.
• Model senior-level judgment, accountability, and partnership with attorneys and internal stakeholders.
• Work with stakeholders in other departments and offices as needed.
• Support Transactional Client Development projects and other Firm initiatives as needed.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree
• JD or MBA preferred

Preferred

• Major in advertising, marketing, communications, public relations, or a related field preferred

Skills & Experience

Required

• 11+ years of relevant business experience
• Demonstrated ability to build and execute strategic business development plans, rather than focusing solely on tactical execution
• Experience partnering directly with senior lawyers and practice leadership as a trusted advisor
• Must be able to work independently and collaboratively in a highly competitive and demanding environment.
• Strong attention to detail and self-motivation to produce accurate, timely, and complete work products
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, as well as excellent research and analytical skills
• Strong project management skills, initiative, and the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently
• Ability to leverage institutional knowledge in one’s own work
• Must actively leverage AI tools and technologies to drive efficiency, insight generation, and innovation in the role
• Demonstrated knowledge of the full range of business development skills
• Proficiency in MS Office programs such as Outlook, Word, and Excel
• Must be flexible and willing to work outside of business hours as needed

Preferred

• Previous experience in a law firm, marketing, or professional services environment preferred
• Familiarity with Content Pilot, Foundation, or another experience database preferredDemonstrated experience using a Client Relationship Management (CRM) system preferred
• Familiarity with family offices and the private equity industry

Salary Information

IL Only: The estimated base salary range for this position is $235,000 to $285,000 at the time of posting.

The actual salary offered will depend on a variety of factors, including without limitation, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job. This role is exempt meaning it is not overtime pay eligible.

Simpson Thacher will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.

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