Client Development Manager, Operations

Join Goodwin’s Global Operations Team, and make a real impact on a global scale. At Goodwin, we work with some of the world’s most successful and innovative investors, entrepreneurs and disruptors in the life sciences, private equity, real estate, technology and financial industries, and where they converge. As part of the Global Operations Team – all business professionals at the firm – you’ll collaborate with colleagues from varied backgrounds and experiences, fostering an environment where cross-functional learning, networking, and collaboration are at the core of what we do.
Here, we’re not just supporting a law firm; we’re partnering with attorneys and clients to deliver cutting-edge solutions in high-stakes litigation and dispute resolution, world-class regulatory compliance and advisory services, and complex transactions. Our commitment to integrity, ingenuity, agility, and ambition drives us, and we’re proud to have been recognised as the “Best Business Team” by The American Lawyer.
This is your opportunity to grow professionally in a dynamic, global environment, surrounded by forward-thinking peers.

The Client Development Manager – Operations drives strategic execution, operational excellence, and effective communication across the Client Development (CD) team. Reporting to the Managing Director, Client Development, and collaborating with the Chief Client Development Relationship Officer, this role ensures seamless department operations and supports leadership priorities. This individual will collaborate deeply with client development leaders, business professionals, and technology partners to ensure seamless execution of client-facing initiatives. The position is ideal for a high-performing professional passionate about process improvement, executive communications, and operational excellence.

What You Will Do:

Strategic Planning, Execution & Impact

• Define, operationalize, and measure strategic priorities in partnership with leadership; support annual and quarterly planning, business strategy, and budgeting through development of processes and infrastructure.

• Establish and maintain status reporting and KPIs for key initiatives; drive completion and assess impact.

• Plan and facilitate leadership meetings, including agenda development, decision enablement, documentation, and follow-up.

• Act as a trusted advisor and sounding board to the leadership team on strategy, execution, and operations.

• Champion employee engagement and foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and collaboration.

Operational Excellence

• Lead process mapping, documentation, and technology enablement to support onboarding and training.

• Proactively work with technology partners to enable the implementation and integration of tools for operational efficiency.

• Oversee budget planning, forecasting, spend tracking, and core operational processes, including vendor relationships and policy compliance.

• Champion change management initiatives and ensure adoption of new processes and systems; ensure seamless execution of complex projects.

Department Communications & Stakeholder Coordination

• Manage and streamline communications across the CD team, ensuring clarity, consistency, and alignment.

• Prepare executive-level presentations and reports that include synthesized updates, insights, and recommendations.

• Develop and execute a communications strategy for effective dissemination of updates across the function and the firm; serve as content manager for intranet pages.

• Facilitate open, respectful communication; synthesize multiple viewpoints and align stakeholders.

• Serve as the central point for information gathering and dissemination within the department.

Who You Are:

• Minimum 6+ years in client development operations, process improvement, chief of staff, or project management roles, preferably in a professional services environment.

• Blend of consulting, change management, and hands-on implementation experience; proven record of executing complex projects.

• Strong influencing, relationship-building, and stakeholder alignment skills across a matrixed organization.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication, with executive-ready presentation and advisory skills.

• Collaborative, decisive, and accountable; adept at managing multiple priorities with high integrity and sound judgment.

• Executive presence and ability to serve as a trusted advisor.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office and operational technologies; Microsoft Dynamics experience preferred.

• Eager to adopt new technologies.

• Travel as required for client meetings, industry events, and cross-office collaboration.

• Hybrid work environment.

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Benefits and More

At Goodwin, you will discover your next career opportunity with a rewarding compensation package and comprehensive benefits, including:

• Flexible work arrangements and hybrid work schedule

• Health, dental, and vision insurance

• Life and disability insurance

• Retirement & Savings Plan

• Emergency back-up child and adult care

• Paid vacation, sick time off, and holidays

• Professional development and career advancement opportunities

• Employee recognition and reward programs

• Employee wellness and assistance programs

• Employee discounts and perks

​Consistent with the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance an arrest and conviction record will not automatically disqualify a qualified applicant from consideration.

Consistent with the SF Fair Chance Ordinance, an arrest and conviction record will not automatically disqualify a qualified applicant from consideration.

Goodwin Procter LLP is an equal opportunity employer. This means that Goodwin Procter LLP considers applicants for employment, and makes employment decisions without unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or other legally protected status.
To request a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process in the US, contact the Benefits Department by email or by phone at 617-570-1800. To request any disability or neurodivergence related accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process in the UK or Germany, please email the Recruiting Department. Any information you provide will be in the strictest confidence, and only used for the purpose of providing the accommodations needed. Requesting accommodations will not adversely affect the outcome of your application.