Marketing & Business Development Manager, Transactional / Client Engagement Strategy Manager

Onward Legal Innovation; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 133,000 - 166,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

Paid time off

Retirement benefits

Learning and development opportunities

Job summary

Onward Legal Innovation in Chicago seeks a Marketing and Business Development Manager to support its Private Equity and M&A practice. You will serve as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, aligning client intelligence with market insight and disciplined execution to advance business development goals.

The role reports to the Associate Director of Practice Development and offers a base salary range of $133,000 to $166,000 in Chicago, plus comprehensive benefits, healthcare, PTO, and

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in business development, client development, or marketing within professional services.
• Demonstrated success designing and executing client engagement strategies.
• Experience supporting Private Equity, M&A, or related transactional practices.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute client engagement initiatives that strengthen relationships.
• Lead signature Private Equity and M&A client programs and events from concept to follow up.
• Create invitation-only programs, sponsorships, and thought leadership opportunities.
• Evaluate partnerships and sponsorships for business impact.
• Measure engagement outcomes and provide recommendations to partners and leadership.
• Utilize CRM and marketing technologies to improve reporting and decision making.

Skills

Client engagement

Business development

Marketing

Strategic partnerships

Tools

CRM systems

Event management platforms

Business intelligence platforms

Microsoft 365

Job description

Our client, a leading global law firm, is seeking a Marketing and Business Development Manager to support its premier Private Equity and M&A practice in Chicago. This is an opportunity to serve as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, bringing together client intelligence, market insight, and disciplined execution to advance the practice's business development goals. The role reports to the Associate Director of Practice Development.

Why You Should Apply

• Trusted advisor role working closely with firm leadership and relationship partners
• Ownership of signature client programs from concept through execution
• Base salary range of $133,000 to $166,000 in Chicago, plus flexible benefits
• Comprehensive healthcare, paid time off, and retirement benefits
• Personal support and tailored learning and development opportunities
• Collaborative, team first department that values accountability and intellectual curiosity
• Encouraging culture: candidates are invited to apply even without every listed qualification

What You'll Be Doing

• Developing and executing client engagement initiatives that strengthen relationships
• Leading signature Private Equity and M&A client programs and events from concept through follow up
• Creating invitation only programs, sponsorships, and thought leadership opportunities
• Evaluating and overseeing strategic partnerships and sponsorships for business impact
• Measuring engagement outcomes and providing recommendations to attorneys and MBD leadership
• Using CRM systems and marketing technologies to improve reporting and decision making

About You

• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in business development, client development, or marketing within a law firm, private equity firm, investment bank, or professional services environment
• Demonstrated success designing and executing client engagement strategies
• Experience supporting Private Equity, M&A, or other transactional practices
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft 365, plus CRM, event management, and business intelligence platforms
• Ability to travel occasionally and work outside standard hours to support client events