Client Engagement Manager

Sidley Austin (DC) LLP; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus eligibility

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Sidley Austin LLP is seeking a Client Engagement Manager in the Marketing department to drive client engagement strategies and oversee marketing activities for the Washington, DC office. The role partners with regional leaders, mentors junior staff, and ensures high‑quality service delivery aligned with firm goals.

You will manage signature programs, coordinate events, and supervise professionals while developing relationships with lawyers, clients, and contacts to strengthen Sidley’s market

Qualifications

• Minimum eight years of professional marketing, business development, or related experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, or related field.
• Excellent writing, proofreading, and critical thinking skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office and Outlook.
• Preferred: marketing, business development, event planning in a law firm or professional services.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute client engagement strategies.
• Plan and manage Sidley-sponsored client programs and events; oversee all event logistics.
• Help office leaders plan and manage regional marketing budgets and evaluate ROI.
• Lead implementation and maintenance of the Firm’s CRM system; connect lawyers, clients, and contacts.
• Prepare submissions for office/regional rankings, awards, surveys and recognitions.
• Create and maintain external communications and marketing materials with lawyers and practice groups.
• Coordinate with Market Intelligence for market research to support business development.
• Collaborate with Communications/PR to engage lawyers in thought leadership and media opportunities.
• Mentor junior team members and supervise specialists/coordinators.

Skills

Client engagement

Marketing strategy

Budget management

Team leadership

CRM software

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA a plus

Tools

Microsoft Office

Outlook

InterAction

Salesforce

Foundation

Job description

The Client Engagement Manager is a key team member within the Marketing department. The Manager serves as the go‑to marketing resource for the office/region. They work directly with office/regional leaders to develop and execute client engagement strategies and manage a range of targeted marketing activities that align with client needs and support the business objectives of the office/region. The Manager takes an active role in learning about the service offering, lawyers, and clients of the office/region. They oversee signature programs and initiatives aimed at strengthening the profile of the Firm in the market and creating opportunities for Sidley lawyers to network and build relationships with key contacts. The Manager may have direct supervisory responsibility for Specialist, Coordinator, and/or Assistant level professionals and is responsible for fostering a collaborative, high‑performing team. Additionally, they are expected to lead by example, mentor junior members of the team, and embody the highest standards of service delivery. The role requires the development of strong and effective working relationships within the Marketing Department, as well as with other professional business functions, and lawyers, across the Firm’s global platform.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Leverages market awareness and industry best practices to recommend and facilitate innovative marketing solutions; this includes refining existing programs and establishing new initiatives as needs are identified
• Plans and manages Sidley-sponsored programs for clients and prospective clients; oversees all event logistics, including invitations, mailing lists, handout materials, site management, speakers, visual presentations, and follow-up
• Help office leaders prepare and manage marketing budget(s) for the office/region, including evaluating the ROI of initiatives to recommend and plan future efforts
• Leads implementation and maintenance of the Firm’s CRM system in the office/region and leverages the system to connect lawyers, clients, and other contacts
• Leads preparation of submissions for office/regional rankings, awards, surveys, and other recognitions for the office and local lawyers and practices, coordinating with global practice liaisons
• Works with office/regional lawyers and global practice liaisons on the creation, editing, and maintenance of external communications and marketing materials, including lawyer biographies, Sidley Updates, advertisements, invitations, website pages, and social media content
• Coordinates with the Market Intelligence team to conduct market research to aid in office/regional business development and marketing initiatives
• Works with the Communications and PR team to identify thought leadership topics and Sidley lawyers to engage in media commentary, article publication, podcasts, etc.
• Recommends and facilitates the involvement of Firm lawyers in professional organizations that will enhance the visibility of the lawyers and the Firm in the local market
• Onboards and integrates lateral lawyer arrivals to the office/region, working closely with the relevant global practice/industry liaison(s)
• Attends and contributes to office and departmental leadership meetings

Employee Management

• Participates in hiring, managing, and developing business professionals; oversees daily operations and monitors team work product; manages professional development of team, including establishing goals and providing coaching and training; prepares annual performance appraisals and provides timely feedback on performance
• Delegates work efficiently and effectively to other team members
• Collaborates with other leaders and business professionals within and outside the Marketing department on projects that cross practices, regions, and/or functions

Education and/or Experience

• Required: A minimum of eight (8) years of professional marketing, business development, or other relevant experience
• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in marketing, communication, or related field
• Excellent writing, proofreading, and critical thinking skills
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office and Outlook
• Preferred: Marketing, business development, event planning, and/or other relevant experience in a law firm or other professional services organization
• Understanding of the local/regional market for legal services and competitive landscape
• Supervisory, managerial, and/or project management experience
• Advanced degree in a related area, such as marketing, law, business, or communications (M.B.A. or J.D. a considerable plus)
• Working knowledge of customer relationship, pipeline, and experience management databases such as InterAction, Salesforce, and/or Foundation
• Familiarity with relevant company/market research tools, as well as law firm rankings, awards, and league table publications

Other Skills and Abilities

• Strong organizational skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Good judgment
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills
• Able to work harmoniously and effectively with others
• Able to preserve confidentiality and exercise discretion
• Able to work under pressure
• Able to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities

#LI-GK1 #LI-Hybrid

The target salary range for this role is: $135,000 - $170,000 if located in Washington, D.C. Salaries vary by location and are based on numerous factors, including, but not limited to, the relevant market, skills, experience, and education of the selected candidate. Our compensation package also includes bonus eligibility and a comprehensive benefits program. Benefits information can be found at Sidley.com/Benefits.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the Duties and Responsibilities above satisfactorily and meet the requirements. The requirements listed above are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. If you need such an accommodation, please email [e-mail] (current employees should contact Human Resources). Sidley Austin LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Sidley is an elite global law firm with a known reputation of deploying innovative strategies to achieve powerful results. Business professionals are essential to the firm’s ability to deliver the highest quality legal services to our clients. We are always looking for talented, motivated individuals who thrive in a performance-driven culture to join our team. We encourage you to explore current openings and check back for future opportunities that align with your skills, experience, and career goals. If you find a suitable position, please submit your resume. Our recruitment team will review your materials and contact you if your qualifications fit our needs. Connect with our recruiting team, and we will reach out should an opportunity arise that aligns with your experience and qualifications. Sidley employs approximately 2,300 lawyers working with our clients in complex transactional, restructuring, crisis management, investigation, regulatory, and litigation matters. Our 160 years of perspective and reach are truly global, supported by 21 offices strategically situated in key commercial, regulatory, and financial centers across the world. Our lawyers and business professionals, fluent in more than 75 languages, possess the cultural awareness and cross-border legal acumen needed to bring clarity to a dynamic business landscape.