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