Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer

Overview

A leading national law firm is seeking a strategic, data-driven Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer (CMBDO) to lead firmwide growth efforts across business development, client relationships, marketing communications, public relations, and events.

As a key member of the senior leadership team, the CMBDO will work closely with firm management, practice leaders, and department heads to drive measurable revenue growth, strengthen client engagement, and elevate the firm's market position. The ideal candidate is both a visionary strategist and a hands-on operator-capable of translating firm goals into clear, results-oriented programs that build visibility, deepen relationships, and expand business opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

Revenue Growth & Client Expansion

• Enhance and scale firmwide client feedback initiatives, ensuring insights drive business and strategic decisions.
• Lead strategic account management and client retention efforts across practices and geographies.
• Improve pipeline visibility and pursuit strategy, introducing data-driven rigor to opportunity qualification and performance tracking.
• Collaborate with BD and client relations leads to strengthen direct client generation, connecting attorneys and prospects for meaningful engagement.
• Integrate client insights into broader firm strategy, influencing pricing, service delivery, innovation, and business planning.

Business Development Strategy

• Partner with BD leaders to design and scale cross-practice initiatives tied to measurable impact.
• Develop go-to-market strategies for key industries and client segments, aligning messaging and positioning with client needs.
• Evolve the alumni program into a high-value relationship and referral channel with measurable ROI.
• Advance firmwide BD coaching and training, helping attorneys build business generation skills across experience levels.
• Promote process improvement and technology adoption to increase efficiency and service quality.

Brand & Market Presence

• Collaborate with Communications and PR leadership to refine the firm's brand strategy and elevate its market visibility.
• Guide the design and execution of market activations-events, sponsorships, and campaigns-with a focus on relationship-building and revenue impact.
• Strengthen the profile of firm leaders through thought leadership, media engagement, and digital marketing strategies.

Communications, PR, and Events

• Oversee the firm's external and internal communications, ensuring clarity, consistency, and alignment with market goals.
• Provide strategic guidance on media relations and reputation management, including crisis communication response.
• Refine the events strategy, emphasizing selectivity, ROI measurement, and integration with broader BD efforts.

Data, Technology, and Analytics

• Partner with Information Services and Knowledge Management to align the firm's CRM, analytics, and marketing automation tools with business goals.
• Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for marketing and business development.
• Champion a data-informed decision-making culture, leveraging insights to guide investment and strategy.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and inspire a high-performing team across BD, client relations, communications, and events.
• Foster collaboration, accountability, and innovation within the marketing function and across firm departments.
• Build alignment between marketing, practice management, finance, and talent functions to support firmwide growth.
• Lead internal presentations and training sessions to showcase progress, mobilize attorneys, and communicate strategic vision.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• 10+ years of progressive experience in marketing or business development leadership, preferably in a law firm or professional services environment.
• 5+ years managing firmwide or enterprise-level functions.
• Proven track record of driving revenue growth, client expansion, and cross-practice collaboration.
• Expertise in strategic account management, client feedback programs, and complex pursuits.
• Deep understanding of law firm operations, pricing models, project management, and go-to-market strategies.

Skills and Attributes

• Strategic thinker with a focus on impact, accountability, and measurable results.
• Exceptional executive communication and presentation skills; credible with senior partners and clients.
• Data-driven decision-maker with strong command of analytics, segmentation, and ROI measurement.
• Proven ability to lead through influence, build consensus, and manage change in a partnership environment.
• Strong leadership skills-able to develop talent, align teams, and foster a culture of collaboration and high performance.

Success Indicators

• Sustained year-over-year revenue growth and improved client retention.
• Increased revenue influenced by BD and marketing programs.
• Measurable gains in cross-practice collaboration and client expansion.
• Stronger brand visibility in target markets and industries.
• Tangible ROI from events, campaigns, and alumni engagement.
• Broad adoption of strategic marketing tools and best practices.
• A high-performing, collaborative marketing and business development team.