Senior Client Development Manager

Dechert LLP; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Dechert LLP in the United States seeks a Senior Client Development Manager to lead marketing and business development for the Product Liability/Mass Torts and National Security groups, collaborating with cross-practice teams to strengthen client retention and expansion.

You will guide strategy, manage budgets, develop data-driven campaigns, advise practice leaders, and coordinate awards, events, and client messaging to elevate the firm's brand and revenue in key sectors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; JD or MBA strongly preferred.
• 9+ years marketing experience.
• Very strong written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build strong working relationships across all levels of an organization.
• Strong leadership skills with ability to influence and advise partners.
• Experience mentoring and investing in the professional development of others.
• Strong knowledge of and familiarity with legal and business environments.

Responsibilities

• Build trusted client development and marketing adviser relationships with practice chairs and stakeholders.
• Develop annual strategic marketing and business development plans and budgets with ROI tracking.
• Create data-driven marketing campaigns aligned with strategic priorities.
• Provide business development guidance based on market dynamics and client needs.
• Lead strategy for awards and directories (Chambers, Legal 500, etc.).
• Develop client messaging and go-to-market plans; coach and support proposals and RFPs.

Skills

Marketing experience

Written and verbal communication

Relationship building

Leadership

Project management

Mentoring

Business development strategy

Client advisory

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

JD or MBA preferred

Job description

The Senior Client Development Manager works with the firm’s Product Liability/Mass Torts (PLMT) and National Security groups along with cross-practice, industry-focused working groups as assigned. The Senior Manager leads business development strategy and initiatives, drives and coordinates branding and marketing efforts, and assists with day-to-day business development activities. The Senior Manager will serve as a business advisor to Practice Group Leaders, partners and other attorneys in their assigned practice groups to support client retention and expansion.

This position will also work collaboratively with other members of the Marketing and practice management teams, as well as research services, pricing, finance, lateral recruiting, innovation, and diversity, equity and inclusion teams to execute on practice group and firm priorities.

This role can be based in New York, Philadelphia and will consider DC.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Build and sustain trusted client development and marketing adviser relationships with practice chairs and key stakeholders.
• Collaborate with practice chairs to develop annual strategic marketing and business development plans and budget with ongoing tracking of return on investment.
• Develop and manage client-centric and data-driven, integrated marketing and business development campaigns that deliver results against strategic priorities.
• Provide business development advice and guidance that demonstrates a thorough understanding of the group’s experience, business, client base, market forces, and competitive landscape in particular sectors.
• Drive an effective strategy and submission process for awards and directories (Chambers, Legal 500, etc.) for practice recognition that reflect the group’s global capabilities and successes on behalf of clients.
• Understand our clients’ key business issues and goals, market dynamics and competitive strategies to develop effective messaging and go-to-market strategies.
• Bring new ideas and proven approaches to brand elevation.
• Conduct research and analysis to drive strategic change for assigned groups and new concepts for business opportunities, including multidisciplinary opportunities.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to develop client-facing pitch strategies and provide all necessary research and other relevant preparation, including coaching. In addition to working with the Proposal team on larger proposals and RFPs, responsible for tracking pitch/RFP efforts.
• Evaluate, plan, organize, manage and host relevant practice-related events, in collaboration with events team – responsibilities include concept, budget and agenda development, creating targeting lists, drafting invitation language, sending and tracking invitations and RSVPs, as well as measuring ROI and client feedback.
• Identify and oversee conference/sponsorship opportunities that involve successful follow-through and positive ROI.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required. JD or MBA strongly preferred.
• 9+ years marketing experience.
• Very strong written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build strong working relationships across all levels of an organization and work effectively both independently and in a collaborative manner to accomplish position functions and team efforts.
• Strong leadership skills with ability to influence and advise partners on direction with strong execution and follow-through.
• Strong commercial sense and understanding of attorney and client needs and expectations, as well as how the marketing and business development function can facilitate and drive revenue generation and brand profile in the market.
• Great organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities in a dynamic business environment and maintain a productive and committed work effort, meeting deadlines and managing workload.
• Sound judgment with respect to confidential and sensitive information.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, with attorneys and staff.
• Experience mentoring and investing in the professional development of others.
• Strong knowledge of and familiarity with legal and business environments.

Dechert LLP is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination. The Firm prohibits unlawful discrimination in any term or condition of employment against any employee or applicant for employment because of the individual’s race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, membership or service in the armed forces, or any other characteristic protected by law.