Senior Manager, Client Development (Chicago)
We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Manager, Client Development – Pitch and Proposal at Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP. We are searching for someone who wants to be a valued contributor and member of a talented and dynamic team of lawyers, paralegals and business professionals. The Senior Pitch and Proposal Manager is a strategic advisor and operator within the Client Development team, responsible for leading high-stakes pitches, proposals and RFP responses from initial evaluation through final delivery. Going beyond execution, the Senior Manager partners directly with firm leadership and cross functional stakeholders to guide decision making and position the firm competitively in complex, high value opportunities. The Senior Manager is responsible for elevating the quality, consistency and strategic value of proposals, contributing ideas that shape the future of the pitch function, not just its day-to-day output. This individual brings a consumer marketing mindset, ensuring responses are not only accurate and strategic, but engaging, differentiated and reflective of how sophisticated buyers expect to receive information. Success in this role requires the ability to navigate competing priorities, deliver clear and decisive direction and translate ambiguity into structured, actionable plans. This includes anticipating stakeholder needs, questions and risks before they surface, aligning diverse perspectives into a cohesive, high-quality final product and moving work forward with confidence and accountability. Responsibilities and Duties: Lead strategic pitch and proposal development Drive end‑to‑end execution of complex, high‑value pitches and RFPs. Define win themes, shape messaging and ensure alignment with client priorities, firm strategy and competitive positioning. Advise senior stakeholders and influence outcomes Function as a trusted advisor to leadership throughout the firm, communicating recommendations with confidence and clarity. Navigate competing priorities and stakeholder dynamics Manage multiple inputs across senior stakeholders. Align teams around a cohesive approach, mediate discussions and ensure progress without loss of momentum. Own project strategy, planning and delivery Develop and execute complex project plans across departments. Anticipate risks, remove roadblocks and ensure delivery against aggressive deadlines without compromising quality. Elevate messaging and narrative development Create clear, compelling and tailored content that resonates with sophisticated client audiences. Distill complex information into concise, persuasive narratives that reinforce the firm’s value. Integrate pricing, analytics, and firm capabilities Partner closely with Pricing and other business teams to align commercial strategy with proposal messaging. Drive continuous improvement and innovation Identify opportunities to improve processes, tools and content strategy. Leverage data, past opportunity insights and market trends to refine approach and increase win rates. Manage US Pitch team Directly manage and develop the US Pitch team, setting clear goals, delegating work effectively and holding team members accountable for outcomes. Build team capability through ongoing coaching and feedback, elevate quality standards across all deliverables and foster a high-performing culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Contribute to long‑term function strategy Bring perspective on how the pitch function should evolve. Proactively identify trends, tools and capabilities needed to maintain competitive advantage. The Client Development team works collaboratively to execute cross-sector, cross-practice group projects and initiatives; the Senior Manager is expected to participate actively in these activities . Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Education: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required. Experience: Ten or more years working in a business development role in a large, multi-office law firm or other professional services firm is required. Skills: Exceptional writer and communicator who simplifies complex ideas. Must be self-directed, self-motivated, possess strong organizational and time management skills, as well as analytical and problem-solving skills, and work with a high level of professionalism. Provides clear, decisive direction in high‑pressure situations. Exercises sound judgment and escalates appropriately. Influences stakeholders and drives decisions forward. Balances speed and accuracy while improving processes. Brings creativity and originality to differentiate materials. Demonstrates accountability, resilience and discretion. Builds trust and drives a collaborative, high‑performing team environment. Practical understanding of the legal/professional services industry and the partnership environment; curiosity and an aptitude for learning; an entrepreneurial spirit; strong strategic, analytical, and critical-thinking skills; organized, logical, detail- and process-oriented; proficient in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; familiar with research and experience databases. This is a hybrid role and will require on-site presence 3 days per week. The salary ranges for this position vary depending on the geographic location and other factors such as experience, internal equity, market data, and job-related considerations. The range for this position is from $150,000 - $175,000, with offers contingent upon the various factors. The firm’s compensation strategy includes not just a base salary but also comprehensive benefits such as healthcare, paid time off, discretionary merit bonuses, life and disability insurance, retirement plans and tailored learning opportunities. Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within our Firm and in the larger legal profession. We believe that diverse skills, knowledge and viewpoints make us a stronger firm. Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP maintains a policy of affording all employees and applicants equal employment opportunities without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity or expression or transgender status), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital or familial status, domestic violence victim status, ancestry, amnesty, citizenship status, ethnicity, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Unlawful discrimination, harassment and retaliation will not be tolerated in any of the Firm’s offices or any other work-related setting. Qualified individuals with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation in order to apply for a position or to enable them to perform the essential functions of a position for which they are otherwise qualified. EEO.
