Director of Event Strategy

Cooley is seeking a Director of Event Strategy to join the Marketing and Business Development team. Position summary: The Director of Event Strategy, part of the Marketing and Business Development team, is responsible for developing and driving the firm's approach to events. Strategic Experiential Leadership:Define and lead the firm's enterprise event strategy, ensuring all experiential touchpoints are engineered to support long-term growth and high-impact client engagement.Vertical Oversight:Lead a team of event professionals driving strategic alignment to ensure local market activations and high-touch global events work in tandem to support the firm's goals.Scalable Framework Development:Architect and implement scalable "event playbooks" and data-backed frameworks that allow the firm to move from reactivelogisticsto proactive, repeatable, and optimized market performance.Experience Design:Lead the strategy for marquee events, designing exclusive, white-glove activations (e.g., C-suite summits, bespoke hospitality, and marquee tournament experiences) that serve as key brand differentiators fortop tierclients.GeographyBased Focus:Translate regional businessobjectivesinto tailored experiential strategies that reinforce the firm's local market presence.Lifecycle Activation:Integrate the events function into the broader client lifecycle, ensuring pre-event targeting and post-event business development follow-through are executed within a unified framework.Data & Performance Analytics:Establishand monitor KPIs for the events function, leveraging attendee data, client listening, and engagement metrics to report ROI and strategic impact to executive leadership.Cross-Functional Brand Stewardship:Collaborate with Marketing Leadership and other functions to ensure every event is a high-fidelity reflection of the firm's core narrative, visual identity, and strategic positioning.Strategic Partner & Agency Management:Manage high-level relationships with specialized event agencies, premium hospitality partners, and venues to ensure operational excellence and high-end execution across the global portfolio.Resource & Budget Optimization:Oversee the annual event portfolio budget, strategicallyallocatingresources across the vertical to maximize market visibility and business development opportunities.Technology Ecosystem Leadership:Serve as a key stakeholder and lead business owner for the event technology stack (e.g., Cvent,TicketManager), ensuring these platforms areleveragedto capture actionable data, automate manual workflows, and deliver a seamless, high-touch experience for internal and external stakeholders.Other: After orientation at Cooley LLP, exhibit proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite, iManage and other firm applicationsAbility to work extended and/or weekend hours, as requiredAbility to travel (significant travel likely)Bachelor's degree10+ years of directly relevant exempt-level experience in marketing events, strategy and execution, with proven experience working across a matrixed organization, preferably in a large global professional services firm or B2B environment5+ years of management experience in relevant roles and with proven track record of effective leadership and proven ability to effectively coach and motivateExpertise in marketing best practices, digital marketing, measurement and workflow management.Demonstrated success developing modern multi-channel strategies at the brand and campaign levels within tight budgetary and resource constraints.Strong understanding of performance metrics, analytics, and using data to inform future strategyExceptional collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to influence and partner effectively with senior firm leadership and other professionalsProficient in the use of CRM and other marketing and business development technologiesPreferred: We offer a full range of elective benefits including medical, health savings account (with applicable medical plan), dental, vision, health and/or dependent care flexible spending accounts, pre-tax commuter benefits, life insurance, AD&D, long-term care coverage, backup care for children and/or adults and other parental support benefits.