Client Development Manager

Job Description

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Planning and Operations:

• Manage the daily activities of business development plans and initiatives for the firm’s private credit practice, working closely with the Associate Director, Client Development and group leadership to formulate clear, achievable goals.
• Monitor and provide business intelligence on key competitors and marketplace trends in an effort to exploit market differentiation.
• Strategize with key internal stakeholders and marketing colleagues to determine priorities and areas of focus of marketing budgets, manage allocations and track return on investment.
• Manage performance of employees through task assignments, and coaching.
• Apply AI-powered tools to enhance the quality and efficiency of marketing and business development outputs in support of the private credit practice, while actively contributing to broader improvements in marketing department workflows and service delivery.
• Identify synergies with other practice groups and drive related marketing/BD initiatives.
• Support the marketing and client development aspects of the on-boarding and integration of new partners.
• Support other marketing department and/or firmwide initiatives, as needed.

Marketing and Business Development Initiatives:

• Evaluate and collaborate with attorneys on responses to RFPs and other tailored, high-value pitches and proposals, developing sophisticated materials that showcase client understanding and Dechert’s competitive advantages. Oversee related tracking of pitch efforts.
• Partnering with the firm’s Events team, identify, execute and manage events (including the Private Credit Summit, the Firm’s largest and most high-profile U.S. event), conference sponsorships (including several large-scale industry conferences), seminars and other client engagement opportunities that generate the most value and support with successful implementation and follow through, and tracking of ROI.
• Drive client targeting initiatives by conduct research and analysis and helping identify new business opportunities with existing and prospective clients.
• Build brand in key market segments by recommending thought leadership topics, formats and ideas for programs and client communications that reach targeted audiences and align with product line objectives.
• Prepare legal directory, league table and other award submissions and develop strategy for maximizing results.
• Working with our Media Relations team, evaluate new publication and recognition opportunities to ensure they align with global practice priorities and help identify trends and other topics for proactive media outreach.
• Support and assist in driving the adoption and integration of business development tools, such as the firm’s experience database, CRM and opportunities tracking.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Strong leadership skills with ability to influence and advise partners on direction with strong execution and follow-through.
• Strong commercial sense and confidence to understand the needs and expectations of the attorneys and clients, as well as how the marketing and business development function can facilitate and drive revenue generation and profile in the market.
• Financial market acumen and business savvy.
• Previous experience with transactions practices; asset management/private credit preferred.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills, working closely with partners, global marketing/BD colleagues, and other firm departments.  
• Capable of using a variety of data (revenue, cost, etc.) to inform the prioritization of practice group business development activities.
• Proficiency with AI-powered tools, such as Chat GPT and Legora.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Resolve standard and non-standard problems.
• Demonstrate, organizational and project management skills.
• Detail-oriented and the proven ability to prioritize multiple projects and meet tight deadlines.
• Professional manner with the ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Must demonstrate personal characteristics of the Firm Guiding Principles, covering aspects such as; highest standards of ethics and integrity, client focus, excellence around provision of service and transformational advice. 
• Ability to travel as and when needed.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• 8+ years of marketing in a professional services environment required, preferably a law firm

Additional Job Description

At the time of this posting, the salary range for this position in New York and Washington D.C. is $155,000 to $180,000 annually. Actual compensation is commensurate with job related knowledge, skills, experience and location of the position.

Location(s)

Time Type

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.