Practice Development Manager

Overview

Vedder's Chicago office is seeking a Practice Development Manager. The Practice Development Manager for Litigation is responsible for developing and executing strategic marketing, business development and client engagement initiatives that support the firm's litigation practice groups. This role serves as the primary marketing partner for litigation attorneys and practice group leaders, driving growth through targeted campaigns, client programming, market visibility and competitive positioning.

Significant responsibility and autonomy will be afforded candidates who demonstrate independent judgment, strategic and diplomatic thinking and the ability to function effectively at several levels.

The PD Manager will also provide daily oversight of a PD Coordinator (individual assignments vary) ensuring the timely completion of marketing-related activities. The PD Manager analyzes and resolves work issues on a day-to-day basis under supervision of the Director of Marketing and Practice Development. In this supervisory role, the PD Manager is accountable for the work and actions of the Coordinator they oversee.

As the Practice Development Manager, your job duties will include but not be limited to:

• Strategic Business Development & Client Growth:
  Partner with practice chairs and working group leaders to advance business development strategies for litigation practice areas, including identifying trends and opportunities, expanding existing client matters, and pursuing cross-selling opportunities.
• Work with the Director of Marketing and Practice Development to develop and implement a comprehensive business development strategy for assigned litigation practices.
• Identify business development opportunities, coordinate attorney teams to pitch new business and drive such opportunities from concept through execution.
• Facilitate planning, implementation and follow-up of new business and cross-marketing opportunities across the firm.
• Support the integration of lateral partners, including targeted client planning, internal connections and coordinated marketing and BD support.

• Market Intelligence & Competitive Positioning:
  Keep abreast of trends and developments in litigation to identify and recommend targets and provide support for expanding existing client relationships.
• Gather intelligence on emerging market and industry trends to provide attorneys with an understanding of the competitive landscape and position the firm for increased effectiveness in winning new business.
• Conduct industry research and develop knowledge about firm clients and key industries; oversee client and market research and analysis, including researching litigation, corporate and individual profiles.
• Actively participate in increasing the firm’s visibility in target industry sectors and markets through networking, participation in industry organizations and developing high-value opportunities and business connections for attorneys.

• Pitches, Proposals & RFP Management:
  Develop high-impact pitches and RFP responses by aligning client objectives, competitive positioning and differentiated firm value propositions.
• Manage the litigation practices’ responses to RFPs by drafting responses, coordinating attorney teams, and tracking language and outcomes.
• Coach partners and senior lawyers in preparation for key client meetings and pitches.
• Coordinate the creation, development and assembly of practice group collateral materials, including one-off pieces, to support business development efforts.

• Directories, Awards & Profile-Raising:
  Lead the strategy and execution for legal directories and awards, including Chambers, Legal 500 US, and other practice-recognition submissions; draft and submit submissions and references and leverage rankings in business development materials.
• Identify matters or issues that are potentially media-worthy and surface them to the Media Relations team for PR, awards and other media placements.
• Identify and support profile-raising opportunities for litigation practice areas, including sponsor ships, in-house presentations, conferences and professional speaking opportunities.

• Content, Collateral & Digital Presence:
  D…