Senior Manager, Market Development

K&L Gates; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 112,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

K&L Gates seeks a Market Development Senior Manager to lead marketing and business development programs across Texas, including Dallas, Austin, or Houston. The role partners with Office Managing Partners to grow the firm’s presence, client engagement, and industry growth.

The ideal candidate has extensive marketing and BD experience in professional services, strong stakeholder management, and the ability to work independently while driving strategic initiatives across regions and practices.

Qualifications

• Eight years of marketing, business development and/or sales in a professional services firm or closely related environment.
• MBA or similar graduate-level degree preferred but not required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the global marketplace for professional services.
• High level of maturity and confidence to interact with sophisticated clients.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and set strategy to meet market development objectives.
• Excellent project management, organizational, and planning skills with ability to prioritize multiple tasks.
• Collaborative team player who can work independently with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement marketing and business development programs to support the Texas market and broader initiatives.
• Maintain knowledge of the Texas market and key industries to identify expansion opportunities.
• Drive partnerships with local organizations and create events to enhance visibility and client value.
• Collaborate with cross-functional Client Growth teams to deliver meaningful programs.
• Develop direct report team members, coach through skills-based learning, and track initiatives.

Skills

Marketing

Business development

Sales

Stakeholder management

Project management

Communication

Leadership

Education

MBA or similar graduate-level degree

Tools

Word

PowerPoint

Excel

Internet research tools

CRM software

Job description

At K&L Gates, we are looking for smart, imaginative and hard-working people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and ideas to join us. Perhaps our search for talented visionaries and your search for important and impactful work lead to the same place.

About the Role

We are seeking a Market Development Senior Manager (MDSM) to join either our Austin, Dallas or Houston office. The Market Development Senior Manager is part of the Client Growth team and will have primary responsibility for developing and executing marketing and business development programs to support the Texas market and other relevant initiatives. The MDSM will work as a connector, promoter, and incubator of innovative ideas and initiatives. The position will be responsible for serving as a strategic partner to the Office Managing Partners of the Texas offices and offer strategic market development advice to other Client Growth team members, focusing on building brand awareness, community and lawyer engagement, client development, and contributing to the office, practice and industry growth goals. Candidates must be proven self-starters who possess the ability to work independently and as part of a team. Excellent communication skills and a commitment to providing the highest quality client service are strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement business development aspects of strategic office plans and budgets that support office growth goals with responsibility for independent and pro-active execution, including coordination of Client Growth and firm resources.
• Maintain a strong knowledge of the Texas market (and regional nuances) and key industries, including business trends and competitive landscape for legal services.
• Identify business expansion opportunities and develop initiatives by matching firm solutions to client needs within specific markets and/or industries.
• Drive partnerships with local organizations, develop entertainment and educational events to deliver value, visibility, and opportunity in the local market.
• Foster a culture of business development in the offices through office communications and interactions, individual support, trainings, and other efforts.
• Create connections across regions and programs that can be leveraged across multiple markets.
• Assist in the development of local office PR and advertising as well as lead local external relations efforts.
• Collaborate closely with other Client Growth teams, such as Pitches and Proposals, Events, Brand Marketing and Communications, Competitive Intelligence, as well as practice and industry business development leaders to deliver meaningful programming to the market.
• Develop direct report team members, if applicable, by providing guidance, leading by example, cultivating a growth mindset, coaching through skills-based learning for independent, informed execution and decision making, holding team members accountable to our client service and policy standards, and providing ongoing feedback for positive professional development.
• Measure and track initiatives and provide regular reporting.
• Co-develop programs for lead generation, development, and tracking.
• Assist in orienting new lateral attorneys to the office and firm.
• Undertake other projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• Minimum of eight years of marketing, business development and/or sales experience in a professional services firm or closely related work environment, preferably within a large national or international firm.
• MBA or similar graduate-level degree preferred but not required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the global marketplace for professional services required.
• High level of maturity and confidence necessary to interact with sophisticated internal and external clients.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders and set strategy to meet market development objectives.
• Exceptional emotional intelligence and stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrated good judgment, decision-making, and follow-through capabilities.
• Excellent project management, organizational, and planning skills with ability to prioritize multiple tasks and projects and meet deadlines.
• Outstanding attention to detail, flexibility, and creativity.
• Collaborative team player who is also self-motivated and can work independently with minimum supervision.
• Excellent computer skills with knowledge of Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Internet research tools essential.
• Knowledge of CRM software is a plus.

Compensation Salary $112,000 - $200,000 / year