Director of Client Development

Position summary: The role is part of the Client Development Team, which is responsible for orchestrating the full client lifecycle—from initial targeting and sales campaigns to sophisticated listening and feedback programs—ensuring deep market penetration and sustainable growth. Specific duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: 

Position responsibilities:  

• Strategic Design & Execution: Define and execute a clear, actionable client development strategy aligned with firm priorities, translating high-level goals into specific plans across regions, industries, and key accounts. 

• Integrated Growth Priorities: Align BD and Marketing priorities, plans, and resources around shared growth objectives to ensure a unified and efficient approach to market opportunities. 

• High-Stakes Business Partnership: Team with partners to identify and advance growth opportunities, providing hands-on leadership for priority accounts and pursuits where senior engagement is critical to success. 

• Scalable Growth Infrastructure: Design and implement the programs, tools, and resources necessary for consistent BD execution, ensuring the team is equipped to operate with discipline and measurable impact. 

• Organizational Leadership & Alignment: Lead, develop, and align the CD organization across all groups and roles, establishing clear expectations, focus, and rigorous accountability for results. 

• Client Listening & Relationship Expansion: Champion the "voice of the client" through formal feedback programs, converting insights into actionable strategies to strengthen service delivery and expand existing relationships. 

• Performance Monitoring & Adaptation: Oversee the pursuit pipeline, activity, and revenue trends, proactively adjusting strategies and resource allocations based on performance data and market feedback. 

• Collaborative Culture: Instill a "one-team" culture of collaboration across Client Development, Marketing, and related enabling functions to drive a coordinated approach to growth across all firm capabilities. 

• Strategic Coaching & Intelligence: Serve as a high-level advisor to firm leadership, providing the tactical coaching and market intelligence required to move client relationships from transactional to strategic partnerships. 

• People Leader:  

• Serve as direct supervisor and mentor to direct reports 

• Provide day-to-day supervision of direct reports, ensure compliance with assigned work hours and monitor for compliance with all firm and department policies. Manage staffing coverage, review and process time logs/time off requests 

• Support business professional development and continued educational opportunities 

• In collaboration with immediate supervisor and central HR, participate in hiring, performance appraisals, counseling, termination and other employee lifecycle events  

• All other duties as assigned or required 

Skills and experience:  

Required: 

• After orientation at Cooley LLP, exhibit proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite, iManage and other firm applications 

• Ability to work extended and/or weekend hours, as required 

• Ability to travel, as required 

• 10+ years of directly relevant exempt-level experience (e.g., marketing or business development, preferably with an emphasis working in a client development function), with 5+ years of management experience in relevant roles 

• Proven track record of effective leadership 

• Bachelor’s degree 

Preferred: 

• Prior legal industry or professional services experience 

Competencies:  

• Entrepreneurial by nature 

• Excellent attention to detail  

• Approaches tasks through a lens of quality and consistency  

• Approaches tasks through a digital first lens 

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with ability to facilitate and solve problems 

• Ability to organize, prioritize and coordinate multiple activities often under tight timelines 

• Takes a consultative approach to set goals, drive projects, and achieve outcomes  

• Strong judgment 

• Team-player with collaborative spirit 

• Unwavering ability to handle and maintain confidentiality regarding firm information, projects, client data  

• High level of professionalism at all times 

• Demonstrated ability to lead through influence and develop talent  

• Proactive, analytical mindset 

• Effective presentation skills