Title: Client Development Manager

Location: Houston, TX

Type: Full-time / Permanent

Salary: $100K - $115K + Excellent Benefits!

Work Environment: Onsite for first 6 months, 1-day WFH following 6-month ramp up.

Bachelors Required: Yes

Referral: AMS will pay $1,000 should you refer a candidate our client hires.

Our client, a mid-size law firm in Houston, Texas, with a broad civil practice that includes trial law, corporate law, bankruptcy, intellectual property, and appellate matters is seeking an experienced Client Development Manager to strengthen client relationships, support attorney business development, and contribute to the continued growth of the firm.

This is a hands-on, relationship-driven role that works directly with firm leadership and attorneys. The primary focus is client development: deepening relationships with existing clients, identifying opportunities for new business, helping attorneys develop practical business development strategies, and ensuring thoughtful follow-through. The right person will have the opportunity to help shape the function, introduce new ideas and processes, and build a practical client development program tailored to the firm.

CLIENT DEVELOPMENT & RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT - PRIMARY FOCUS

• Build and maintain strong relationships with firm clients and key contacts, with an emphasis on understanding client needs and strengthening long-term relationships.
• Work closely with attorneys to identify opportunities to expand existing client relationships and develop new business. Develop practical business development strategies and individualized plans for attorneys and practice areas based on their strengths, relationships, and growth goals.
• Coach and support attorneys in client development, networking, relationship building, meeting preparation, and follow-up.
• Help ensure meaningful client and prospect interactions are followed by appropriate and timely next steps.
• Identify opportunities for cross-practice collaboration and introductions among existing clients and firm attorneys.
• Support periodic client outreach and feedback efforts to better understand client needs, service expectations, and potential opportunities.
• Maintain accurate client and prospect information in the firm's client relationship management (CRM) system and use that information to support relationship-development efforts.
• Maintain awareness of significant firm successes, capabilities, and representative matters that may create opportunities for clients or prospect outreach.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY & ATTORNEY SUPPORT

• Meet regularly with firm leadership to review client development priorities, opportunities, progress, and upcoming initiatives.
• Identify and recommend business development opportunities by client, industry, practice area, and attorney relationship.
• Coordinate attorney business development activities, including client and prospect meetings, networking opportunities, and follow-up, as opportunities arise.
• Assist with RFQs, RFPs, pitches, proposals, and other new-business opportunities as needed.
• Track business development activities, commitments, and follow-up to help maintain accountability and momentum.
• Develop meaningful measures for evaluating business development efforts and provide periodic updates to firm leadership

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS - SUPPORTING FUNCTION

• Maintain and update firm website content, attorney biographies, representative matters, and other client-facing materials.
• Coordinate the firm's social media presence and develop content appropriate to the firm's business development and visibility goals.
• Develop and distribute client alerts, announcements, newsletters, and other marketing communications as opportunities arise.
• Coordinate attorney awards, rankings, and recognition submissions, focusing on opportunities that meaningfully support attorney and firm visibility.
• Identify and coordinate appropriate opportunities for speaking engagements, bylined articles, media outreach, and other public relations initiatives.
• Monitor relevant media coverage and promote significant firm news, attorney achievements, new hires, major matters, and case successes when appropriate.

EVENTS, SPONSORSHIPS & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT - LIMITED SCALE

• Coordinate the firm's annual client appreciation event and a limited number of additional firm-sponsored events or activities throughout the year.
• Evaluate sponsorship opportunities and coordinate approved firm participation in selected industry, business, charitable, and community events.
• Assist attorneys with participation in selected professional, industry, business, and community organizations when the activity supports client development goals.
• Coordinate client gifts, promotional items, and related event materials as needed.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist with the marketing aspects of new attorney onboarding, including website profiles, biographies, and announcements.
• Coordinate law school recruiting events and related attorney recruiting initiatives as needed.
• Manage CLE accreditation and reporting for firm-sponsored programs and attorney presentations.
• Assist with developing, tracking, and managing the client development and marketing budget and related expenses.
• Perform additional client development, marketing, and related administrative projects as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, business administration, communications, or a related field.
• 3-7 years of experience in business development, client relations, marketing, or communications within a law firm. Prior law firm experience is required.
• Demonstrated experience working directly with attorneys and law firm leadership on business development, client relationship, or growth initiatives.
• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to gain trust, influence, and follow-through from busy professionals without direct authority.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, presentation, organization, and project-management skills.
• Ability to think strategically while also working hands-on and independently in a lean, entrepreneurial environment.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining a high level of professionalism and responsiveness.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint); experience with CRM systems is preferred.
• Experience creating or coordinating digital and print marketing materials, including Canva or similar tools, is a plus.