Associate Director, Client Engagement Strategy & Events

New Allen Matkins Website Template; San Diego, San Francisco, Irvine, New York (CA, CA, CA, NY); On-site; USD 170,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Allen Matkins seeks an Associate Director, Client Engagement Strategy & Events to lead firmwide client engagement initiatives, design innovative experiences, and manage relationships with priority clients and practices. Reporting to the CBDMO, this role combines strategic advisory with hands-on event management to drive growth and client satisfaction.

The ideal candidate brings 10+ years in client engagement, events, marketing, or related fields, preferably in law firms or professional services,

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to serve as both a strategic advisor and hands-on leader, translating business priorities into innovative programs and measurable outcomes.
• Strong business acumen and sound judgment to align engagement strategies with firm growth.
• Experience planning and executing sophisticated client events and programs with complex logistics.
• Ability to manage budgets and measure program effectiveness with data-driven insights.
• Collaborative, proactive approach working across multiple Firm functions.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the firm's client engagement strategy in partnership with CBDMO, aligning programs with firm growth.
• Plan, manage, and execute client events and programs and oversee the broader events portfolio.
• Evaluate and prioritize events based on objectives and ROI, and oversee alumni engagement.

Skills

Client engagement

Event planning

Budget management

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Allen Matkins, a law firm with over 300 attorneys, was founded with deep roots in real estate and has leveraged that foundation to grow and build prominent litigation, corporate, tax, labor and employment, land use, and environmental practices allowing us to partner with clients across myriad industries and markets. For nearly 50 years, Allen Matkins has worked with clients drawn to us by our reputation for market-leading solutions, pragmatism, exemplary quality, approachability, and our unparalleled network of contacts and connections in business and government. Our firm’s success is driven by our commitment to hiring and developing top talent, ensuring a team that delivers exceptional work and service to our clients. We are guided by our core values: our people are our most important resource; we have a commitment to quality work, all the time; and we work as a team with each other and with our clients - we foster camaraderie.

Our firm’s success is driven by our commitment to hiring and developing top talent, ensuring a team that delivers exceptional work and service to our clients. We are guided by our core values: our people are our most important resource; we have a commitment to quality work, all the time; and we work as a team with each other and with our clients - we foster camaraderie.

About the Position

The Associate Director, Client Engagement Strategy & Events leads the development and execution of Allen Matkins' firmwide client engagement strategy, creating innovative experiences, events, sponsorships, and relationship‑building programs that strengthen client relationships and support firm growth.

Reporting to the Chief Business Development & Marketing Officer, the Associate Director serves as a strategic advisor to firm leadership and attorneys, partnering closely with Business Development and Marketing & Communications to develop differentiated engagement opportunities aligned with firm, practice, and client priorities.

This role combines strategic thinking, creativity, business acumen, and hands‑on event management. The Associate Director will help shape the firm's client engagement strategy, oversee the events and sponsorship portfolio, and lead a high‑performing team while also directly planning, managing, and executing client events and programs. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable advising senior attorneys, developing innovative engagement strategies, and rolling up their sleeves to deliver exceptional client experiences.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Client Engagement Strategy

• Develop and lead the firm's client engagement strategy in partnership with the Chief Business Development & Marketing Officer (CBDMO), ensuring programs and investments support firm growth.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to firm leadership and attorneys, bringing fresh perspectives, influencing engagement decisions, and identifying opportunities to strengthen client relationships and drive business growth.
• Partner with Business Development to develop targeted engagement strategies for priority clients, prospects, and practice groups.
• Identify new and innovative ways to engage clients, elevate their experience, and differentiate Allen Matkins in the marketplace.

Events, Sponsorships & Client Experiences

• Directly plan, manage, and execute client events and programs while providing strategic leadership and oversight of the firm's broader portfolio of events, sponsorships, conferences, and client engagement initiatives.
• Develop sophisticated and memorable client experiences, including executive gatherings, roundtables, thought leadership programs, and other targeted engagements.
• Evaluate and prioritize events and sponsorships based on business objectives, relationship opportunities, and anticipated impact.
• Oversee the firm's alumni engagement program, strengthening relationships and creating opportunities for referrals and business development.

Business Impact & Investment

• Oversee the client engagement and events budget, ensuring investments are aligned with firm priorities and deliver meaningful value.
• Partner with attorneys and Business Development to establish clear objectives, engagement strategies, and follow‑up plans for key initiatives.
• Measure the success of engagement programs through relationship development, new business opportunities, and return on investment.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the Client Engagement Strategy & Events team, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, accountability, and exceptional service.
• Lead alongside the team, providing strategic direction while actively participating in event planning, problem‑solving, and on‑site execution to ensure exceptional client experiences.
• Build and continuously improve the firm's client engagement function, establishing best practices and a consistent approach to delivering high‑impact programs across offices and practices.
• Collaborate closely with Business Development, Marketing & Communications, and firm leadership to ensure a coordinated approach to client engagement.

Education and/or Experience:

Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or relevant professional qualification a plus.

Approximately 10+ years of progressive experience in client engagement, business development, events, marketing, client experience, or a related discipline, preferably within a law firm or other professional services environment. Significant experience developing and leading sophisticated client engagement, events, sponsorships, and relationship‑building strategies and programs.

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to serve as both a strategic advisor and hands‑on leader, translating business priorities into innovative programs, exceptional client experiences, and measurable outcomes.
• Strong business acumen and sound judgment, with the ability to align client engagement strategies and investments with relationship development, business development priorities, and firm growth.
• Significant experience planning and executing sophisticated client events and programs, with a proven ability to manage complex logistics and deliver exceptional experiences.
• Exceptional executive presence, communication, and relationship‑building skills, with the credibility to advise and influence senior attorneys, firm leaders, clients, and other stakeholders.
• Creative and entrepreneurial mindset, with a track record of developing differentiated client experiences and bringing new ideas to life.
• Experience managing substantial budgets, evaluating program effectiveness, and using data and insights to guide investment decisions and improve outcomes.
• Demonstrated success leading, mentoring, and developing high‑performing teams while fostering a collaborative, accountable, and service‑oriented culture.
• Strong project management and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple complex initiatives, anticipate needs, and deliver results in a fast‑paced environment.
• Collaborative, proactive, and adaptable approach, with the ability to work effectively across Business Development, Marketing & Communications, and other firm functions.

Travel & Schedule Requirements:

• Significant travel is required to support firmwide events, client engagement programs, and initiatives across Allen Matkins offices and other locations.
• Must be available to work evenings and weekends as needed to support events and client programs, including on‑site planning, coordination, and execution.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

EEO Statement

Allen Matkins is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, veteran status, all other characteristics prohibited by law, or gender identity and/or expression.

We will collect the personal information you provide in connection with this application as well as information included with any other document(s) you provide us. We may use this information to evaluate your application and consider you for employment with Allen Matkins. We may share this information with third parties for any of the following purposes: (i) to confirm the accuracy of the information provided; (ii) to conduct a background check; (iii) to confirm or evaluate potential conflicts of interest; and/or (iv) to check references. If you accept an offer with Allen Matkins, we may use this information to provide you with the benefits of your employment. Our employees' personal information is governed by our Privacy Policy, available at https://www.allenmatkins.com/disclaimers/privacy-policy.html .

Qualified Applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

Compensation

Allen Matkins is an Equal Opportunity Employer and offers a competitive compensation & benefits package. The anticipated base salary range for this full‑time role is $170,000.00 - $240,000.00 per year. Actual salary will depend upon a number of factors, including, but not limited to, relevant experience, job‑related skills, qualifications, and location.

The base salary range displayed on the job posting reflects the estimated range for new hire salaries for the position. The actual offered base salary will be determined by work location and additional factors, including, but not limited to, relevant experience, job‑related skills and qualifications. The pay range is subject to change at any time dependent on a variety of internal and external business factors.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.