Sr. Client Development Manager

Akerman LLP; Fort Lauderdale (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Akerman LLP seeks a Senior Client Development Manager to partner with the Litigation practice, guiding client development, marketing, and communications to drive revenue growth and strengthen relationships. You will lead a small team and collaborate across partners to align initiatives with firm strategy in a high-stakes, client-centric environment.

In this role you will manage budgets, drive cross-border campaigns through Lex Mundi, and develop credentials, proposals, and RFP responses to win

Qualifications

• We require 10 or more years of experience in a business development or marketing role.
• Experience with Litigation practices and professional services is preferred.
• Strong client relations and verbal/written communications skills are required.

Responsibilities

• Work directly with practice group leadership to develop and implement client development, marketing, and communications plans.
• Provide strategic leadership and mentorship for a Client Development Manager and Client Development Specialist.
• Partner with practice leadership to identify and pursue growth opportunities and campaigns.
• Develop and manage client development budgets with ROI alignment.
• Serve as the primary BD/marketing liaison for Lex Mundi, coordinating global programs.
• Oversee development of client credentials, proposals, and RFP/RFI responses.
• Oversee practice credentials for print and website; collect and maintain experience data.
• Support integration of new laterals into the practice group.
• Collaborate with media relations on speaker/story placement.
• Oversee submissions for directories and publications.
• Identify opportunities for strategic sponsorships and brand-building.
• Collaborate with events team on external client impact events.

Skills

Strategic business development

Leadership

Budget management

Client relations

Verbal & written communications

Management experience

Marketing initiatives

Job description

Founded in 1920, Akerman is recognized as one of the nation’s premier law firms, with more than 700 lawyers across the United States.

Akerman is seeking a Senior Client Development Manager. The Senior Client Development Manager serves as a strategic business partner to the Litigation practice group, leading the development and execution of client development, marketing, and communications initiatives that drive revenue growth, strengthen client relationships, and elevate the firm's market position. This role collaborates closely with practice and firm leadership to identify growth opportunities, develop market strategies, and advance the business objectives of the practices and the firm.

Responsibilities include:

• Work directly with practice group leadership to develop and implement client development, marketing, and communications plans.


• Provide strategic leadership, mentoring, and performance management for a Client Development Manager and Client Development Specialist, fostering a collaborative, high-performing team culture focused on excellence and client service.


• Partner with practice leadership to identify, pursue, and track strategic growth opportunities, including key client initiatives, industry-focused campaigns, cross-selling efforts, and emerging market opportunities.


• Develop, oversee, and manage related practice group client development budgets, ensuring strategic allocation of resources, measurable return on investment, and alignment with practice and firm objectives.


• Serve as the primary business development and marketing liaison for the firm's Lex Mundi membership, driving engagement initiatives, coordinating participation in global programs and events, and identifying opportunities to strengthen client relationships, cross-border collaboration, and business growth.


• Oversee development of client-specific credentials presentations, proposals, and RFP/RFI responses, as well as other client-facing materials.


• Oversee the development of practice credentials for general use in print and on firm website, and the collection and maintenance of experience data.


• Serve as a member of the integration team for new laterals joining the practice group.


• Collaborate with media relations team on speaker and story placement ideas in all relevant media outlets.


• Oversee development of practice submissions for directories, databases, and other publications as needed.


• Identify opportunities for strategic sponsorships and other brand-building opportunities.


• Collaborate with events team on external client impact events.

Requirements:

We require 10 or more years of experience, preferably with an AmLaw 100, financial services, or professional services firm, in a business development or marketing role. Experience working with Litigation practices is required. Demonstrated success developing and executing strategic business development initiatives, leading teams, managing budgets, advising senior stakeholders, and driving measurable growth within a professional services environment is required. Excellent client relations and verbal and written communications skills are required. Management experience is required. Skills and background should be in planning and implementing business development programs, as well as strategic marketing or communications initiatives.

We offer an excellent compensation and benefits package. EOE

Qualifications

Skills

Behaviors

Motivations:

Education

Experience

Licenses & Certifications

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.