Director of Marketing, Business Development & Client Relations ::

Position:

Director of Marketing, Business Development & Client Relations


Location:

Washington, D.C.


Salary:

Commensurate with exprience


Description:

Williams & Connolly is looking for an experienced professional services marketer to serve as Director of Marketing, Business Development & Client Relations and proactively guide and support its strategy. Reporting to the Managing Partner, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to build and manage the department.

Williams & Connolly is a leading “bet-the-company” litigation firm in Washington, D.C. with 275 attorneys, great firm management and friendly people. Williams & Connolly was named the best law firm to work for in the country by Vault in 2013. Beyond litigation, the firm also assists companies, chief executives, authors, news correspondents, and sports figures in transactional matters. The American Lawyer has cited Williams & Connolly for its work representing “clients in mortal danger.”


Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Building, directing and mentoring the team that supports all lawyer marketing, business development, communications and client relations activities, including individual lawyer and team efforts to deepen existing relationships and to develop profitable new revenue from existing and new clients.
  • Supporting the development and production of strategic pitch materials, responses to requests for proposals, and other digital and print collateral that, based on market research and competitive intelligence, present the firm’s strengths consistently and in the context of client priorities and preferences.
  • Supporting individual lawyer and practice group business planning.
  • Directing communications and other brand-building initiatives to protect and enhance the firm’s visibility and reputation in its various markets, including content development for and oversight of the firm’s main and alumni websites.
  • Maintaining current knowledge of best practices in legal marketing and business development, and communicating that knowledge to practice group leaders and other interested lawyers to ensure that Williams & Connolly “anticipates” what clients want and value.
  • Tracking current market research about the sectors and practices in which Williams & Connolly is acknowledged as or aspires to be a market leader.
  • Assisting the firm in developing a proactive alumni program that enhances existing relationships and fosters former lawyer loyalty and, in the process, referrals.
  • Overseeing and measuring, where possible, the efficacy of Williams & Connolly marketing programs and initiatives to ensure the effective allocation of firm resources.
  • Educating partners and associates on how best to target prospects and address and exceed client expectations.
  • Collaborating with firm recruiting professionals on the development and currency of recruiting materials consistent with the firm brand and informed by best practices in the marketplace.
  • Overseeing the acquisition, development, and implementation of robust technology-assisted tools for supporting the pitch and proposal process and other marketing activities (e.g., an experience database, a CRM).

Requirements:
  • A minimum of 10 years of demonstrated leadership in a marketing, business-development, or communications role, ideally in a professional services or other commercial organization;
  • A minimum of an undergraduate degree in marketing or communications or a related area of specialization, and preferably an MBA, JD, Masters, or PhD; knowledge of the legal marketplace and what lawyers do;
  • A “boardroom-worthy” demeanor and strong written and oral communication skills;
  • A willingness to “roll up the sleeves” to get the job done;
  • Excellent follow through; strong project management skills and attention to detail;
  • An aptitude for understanding law firm economics; and
  • Demonstrated good judgment, resiliency, humor, and an ability to lead and inspire a team charged with a diverse and ever-changing set of responsibilities.

Schmidt Marketing has been retained to conduct this search. Interested and qualified candidates should e-mail their resume, in strictest confidence, to Donna Erickson.