Sectors & Clients Manager Media, Sports & Entertainment

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Summary

The Marketing & Business Development Manager, Sports, Media & Entertainment Sector, plays a key leadership role driving strategic growth initiatives. This individual partners closely with sector leadership, lawyers, and firmwide Marketing & Business Development colleagues to identify, develop, and pursue business development opportunities, strengthen client relationships, and proactively drive go-to-market strategies that support sector growth and market positioning.

This individual will lead cross-functional collaboration, drive internal stakeholder engagement, and provide hands-on execution support for strategic pursuits, client targeting, thought leadership campaigns, sponsor ships, events, and client development initiatives. The Marketing & Business Development Manager brings a business development-first mindset and experience in a legal or professional services environment.

Working closely with sector leadership, practice leaders, and business development teams, this individual will help drive the strategic priorities of the Sports, Media & Entertainment Sector through innovative business development initiatives, market-facing programs, profile-raising activities, and client engagement strategies. The successful candidate will possess strong business acumen, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to build trusted relationships across a global organization.

Location

This position can sit in our New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Boston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Austin, or other approved DLA Piper office locations and offers a hybrid work schedule.

Responsibilities

* Develop and drive sector-specific strategic plans in partnership with sector leadership to support business development, client engagement, and growth objectives.

* Lead and execute marketing and business development initiatives aligned with the Sports, Media & Entertainment Sector strategy.

* Drive cross-practice and cross-sector collaboration to identify opportunities, emerging trends, and client needs.

* Identify and pursue client targeting initiatives and strategic business development opportunities.

* Develop and manage thought leadership campaigns, client alerts, industry publications, and market-facing content.

* Lead directory, ranking, and award submission efforts that enhance the sector's profile and market recognition.

* Collaborate with Communications and Public Relations teams to promote sector capabilities, thought leadership, and lawyer visibility.

* Partner with Pursuits and Pricing teams to develop strategic pitches, RFP responses, proposals, and presentation materials.

* Build and maintain sector-specific marketing collateral, website content, credentials, and pitch materials.

* Utilize data, market intelligence, and CRM tools to identify opportunities, track business development activities, and measure ROI.

* Leverage AI-enabled business development and marketing tools to support efficiency, innovation, and operational excellence.

* Scope, plan, and execute client-facing events, webinars, seminars, sponsor ships, conferences, and business development programs.

* Evaluate sponsorship opportunities and oversee participation to maximize business development impact and return on investment.

* Support sector leadership in managing key client programs, strategic account initiatives, and client development opportunities.

* Develop and maintain business development resources, sector materials, intranet resources, and knowledge repositories.

* Support onboarding and integration efforts for lateral hires within the sector, including relationship building and cross-selling opportunities.

* Monitor industry trends, client developments, and competitive intelligence, sharing relevant insights with stakeholders.

* Manage and mentor team members where applicable, fostering a collaborative, high-performing, and client-centric culture.

* Manage and contribute to additional business development and marketing projects as assigned.

Desired Skills

This multifaceted position requires a unique blend of legal industry knowledge, business development expertise, and relationship management skills. Strong understanding of professional services marketing and business development principles. Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build trusted relationships with lawyers, clients, and business professionals. Demonstrated strategic thinking, project management, and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

Strong commercial awareness and experience identifying and pursuing growth opportunities. Experience managing pitches, thought leadership initiatives, client…