Chicago - Associate Director, Strategic Client Events

About Us

For Business Professionals, Winston & Strawn presents an exciting opportunity to be a part of a leading global law firm. With our commitment to excellence, diversity, a collaborative work environment, and an emphasis on professional growth, Winston offers a platform for individuals seeking to advance their careers in a dynamic and rewarding environment. Winston is known for its collaborative and collegial culture.

We believe teamwork is an essential component in providing high-quality legal services and we value the talents and skills of our entire business professional team.

As the Associate Director, Strategic Client Events at Winston & Strawn, you will play a senior role in planning, executing and measuring high-impact client-facing events (both in-person and virtual/hybrid) that support the firm’s strategic business development, client-relationship, and branding goals.

You will manage a portfolio of marquee events and oversee event operations, vendors, budgets, and cross-functional stakeholders (attorneys, marketing, BD, communications, finance). You will help define event strategy, drive process improvements, and deliver superior client experiences with strong attention to detail, logistical execution, and post-event ROI measurement.

This role is critical in elevating the firm’s client experience, deepening relationships, and differentiating Winston in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Through thoughtfully designed and flawlessly executed client events, you will play a direct role in supporting revenue growth, client retention, and reinforcing the firm’s brand as a trusted advisor.

• Collaborate with BD/Marketing and practice-group leadership to define the event strategy supporting key clients, sectors and offices.
• Establish and champion best practices in strategic event planning and execution which translates across centers of excellence firmwide.
• Lead team of strategic client event team members in visioning the attendee experience to seamless execution and targeted connection to ROI measurement and follow-up connection.
• Lead the end-to-end lifecycle for multiple premier flagship and regional events: concept development, venue/vendor selection, budgeting, timelines, registration, onsite logistics, audiovisual/technology coordination, brand standards, post-event reporting and ROI analysis.
• Develop and manage event budgets, track expenses, reconcile invoices and collaborate with Finance.
• Oversee vendor/contractor relationships (venues, caterers, A/V, transportation, hotels, event design, signage, etc.), ensuring competitive pricing and service excellence.
• Manage registration/attendee systems, guest lists, invitations, communications, travel logistics, accommodations and attendee experience.
• Supervise onsite execution, including lead staffing, day-of event checklists, issue resolution, and ensure events run seamlessly.
• Partner with internal teams (marketing, digital, communications, operations, IT) to ensure event collateral, branding, registration platforms and hybrid/virtual event infrastructure are on-point.
• Implement metrics and analytics to evaluate event success (attendance, attendee feedback, conversion to business, budget adherence, ROI) and identify areas for improvement.
• Maintain an event calendar and integrate with broader BD/marketing calendar; ensure alignment across offices/regions.
• Develop and implement best practices, event process templates, checklists, and vendor/venue databases.
• Provide leadership to more junior event staff, providing coaching/mentoring, assigning tasks, and reviewing deliverables.
• Travel as required to support events at other firm locations or off-site venues.

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or event certification preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive event management experience, ideally within a professional services environment (law firm, consulting, financial services) and with client-facing events required.
• This hybrid position requires flexibility to travel, work off-site, and support events that may occur after regular business hours.

• Demonstrated ability to…