Premier Experiences Senior Manager

Position summary:  This role is part of the Strategy, Transformation & Growth Team, which acts as the firm’s "central nervous system," building the scalable infrastructure and data-backed frameworks that allow Marketing & Client Development to move from reactive execution to proactive, high-impact strategy. It ensures that strategic choices and unique brand differentiating experiences (spanning high-end events to targeted digital channels) are translated into repeatable, optimized market performance that makes the firm stand out in market. Specific duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: 

Position responsibilities:  

• Program Design & Strategy: Partner with BU Marketing and CD to design event programs that facilitate specific client engagement and cross-selling opportunities. 

• End-to-End Marquee Execution: Lead the planning and execution of the firm’s most complex marquee events, managing the timeline from initial concept through post-event analysis. 

• Sponsorship Activation: Drive the tactical strategy for major industry conferences (e.g., JPM), ensuring Cooley’s presence is high-impact, coordinated, and differentiated. 

• Business Unit Partnership: Serve as the day-to-day liaison for BU stakeholders, translating their specific practice goals into actionable experiential plans. 

• Integrated CD Planning: Collaborate with CD and BU leads to identify key targets for premier events and develop structured "follow-through" plans to accelerate the sales cycle. 

• Vendor & Contract Management: Source and manage premium vendors and lead the contract negotiation process, ensuring all services meet the firm’s standards for "Premier" delivery. 

• On-Site Experience Leadership: Lead on-site teams for major activations, acting as the primary point of contact for partners and ensuring a seamless experience for all attendees. 

• Data Capture & Lifecycle Tracking: Ensure that every premier activation captures critical client data and transitions it into the CRM to support long-term relationship management. 

• Budget Ownership: Manage the specific budgets for assigned marquee programs, ensuring precise tracking, variance reporting, and cost-efficiency. 

• Tech Platform Utilization: Master the use of event technologies to manage registration, attendee engagement, and logistics, coaching the Specialist level on best practices. 

• People Leader:  

• Serve as direct supervisor and mentor to direct reports 

• Provide day-to-day supervision of direct reports, ensure compliance with assigned work hours and monitor for compliance with all firm and department policies. Manage staffing coverage, review and process time logs/time off requests 

• Support business professional development and continued educational opportunities 

• In collaboration with immediate supervisor and central HR, participate in hiring, performance appraisals, counseling, termination and other employee lifecycle events  

• All other duties as assigned or required 

Skills and experience:  

Required: 

• After orientation at Cooley LLP, exhibit proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite, iManage and other firm applications 

• Ability to work extended and/or weekend hours, as required 

• Ability to travel, as required 

• 5+ years applicable experience in the field (e.g., marketing or business development, preferably with an emphasis working in a strategy, transformation, or growth function), with 2+ years of exempt/management experience in relevant roles

• Ability to work more independently, demonstrate escalating ownership and mastery of assigned area, exhibit strength in the areas below, become a resource and mentor to others

• Must have professional services industry experience and/or B2B marketing experience  

• Must have CVENT, TicketManager, and CRM experience  

• Experience with vendor management, contract negotiations, and onsite delivery 

Preferred: 

• Bachelor’s degree 

• Supervisory experience 

• Prior legal industry or professional services experience 

Competencies:  

• Entrepreneurial by nature 

• Excellent attention to detail  

• Approaches tasks through a lens of quality and consistency  

• Approaches tasks through a digital first lens 

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with ability to facilitate and solve problems 

• Ability to organize, prioritize and coordinate multiple activities often under tight timelines  

• Takes a consultative approach to set goals, drive projects, and achieve outcomes  

• Strong judgment 

• Team-player with collaborative spirit 

• Unwavering ability to handle and maintain confidentiality regarding firm information, projects,  client data 

• High level of professionalism at all times 

• Demonstrated ability to lead through influence and develop talent  

• Proactive, analytical mindset 

• Effective presentation skills