Director of Marketing and Business Development - Detroit, Michigan
OFFICE LOCATION: Detroit, Michigan
REPORTS TO: Chief Experience Officer
GENERAL PURPOSE: Butzel seeks a strategic, highly motivated Director of Marketing and Business Development to advance the Firm’s growth. Working with the Marketing, Business Development, and Client Experience team, this accomplished professional will connect strategy, relationships, and execution to shape business development priorities, strengthen market position, and create growth opportunities. We seek a curious, forward-thinking leader with fresh ideas, sound judgment, and the drive to turn opportunities into results. The ideal candidate combines strategic insight, attorney coaching, team leadership, and hands-on execution with confidence and humility to lead, collaborate, and serve. This is a role for a leader: someone who earns trust, develops people, and empowers the team to produce excellent work.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
Strategic Leadership and Business Development
- Work closely with the Chief Experience Officer to translate Firm strategy into actionable marketing and business development initiatives.
- Work with practice departments and attorneys to identify growth opportunities, strengthen competitive positioning, and advance their business development goals.
- Lead, develop, and empower the marketing and business development team, building on each member’s strengths, encouraging ownership and initiative, and providing practical guidance and accountability.
- Lead compelling, client-focused proposals, pitches, presentations, and RFP responses.
- Identify opportunities to strengthen the Firm’s key-market presence.
- Evaluate marketing and business development investments for strategic alignment, measurable outcomes, and ROI.
Assist in Client Development and Relationship Growth
- Advance the Firm’s client experience and relationship development initiatives.
- Collaborate with attorneys and client teams to deepen engagement, expand relationships, and identify additional services.
- Translate client feedback, market intelligence, and relationship data into business development opportunities.
- Drive adoption of CRM and related technologies for relationship intelligence, collaboration, pipeline management, and business development accountability.
Brand, Marketing, and Communications
- Direct marketing, communications, public relations, digital strategy, and execution.
- Align brand, messaging, and marketing materials with the Firm’s reputation, capabilities, and values.
- Oversee compelling content and thought leadership supporting business development and Firm visibility.
- Guide high-quality website, digital marketing, social media, and emerging-channel initiatives.
- Manage external marketing, communications, and technology partners.
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:
- Strategic execution. See the big picture, set priorities, and turn ideas into action.
- Business development instincts. Understand relationship cultivation, opportunity identification, and winning and retaining business.
- Empowering leadership. Lead through trust and influence rather than title. Develop talent, delegate real ownership, set clear expectations, and help others do their best work.
- Exceptional communication. Write, present, and tell stories with sensitivity to nuance, audience, and brand.
- Adaptability and resourcefulness. Balance competing demands and solve problems independently in a fast-paced environment.
- Collaborative service. Build trust, help colleagues succeed, and measure departmental success by Firm success.
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE:
Success means impact on the Firm, not simply marketing activity.
The Director will be expected to:
- Set clear priorities and consistently execute marketing strategy.
- Advance measurable business development opportunities and attorney engagement.
- Promote structure, accountability, and follow-through to marketing and business development.
- Deliver quality marketing and communications that advance brand and positioning.
- Build a capable, engaged, high-performing team where people feel trusted, take ownership, and produce excellent work.
- Introduce fresh ideas and practical improvements that create Firm value.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND/OR TRAINING:
- Bachelor’s in marketing, communications, business, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
- Law firm or other sophisticated professional services experience strongly preferred (8+ years).
- Demonstrated success leading and developing teams through a collaborative style built on trust and empowerment.
- Proven strategy development and execution supporting growth, client relationships, or market positioning.
- Familiarity with CRM, digital marketing, marketing analytics, and emerging technologies.
- Experience managing budgets, external partners, and complex cross-functional projects.
To submit your resume or for more information regarding this career opportunity, please contact recruiting@butzel.com.
