Director – Global Private Markets

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Summary

The Director, Global Private Markets, working in collaboration with and in support of the firm’s strategic initiatives, will serve as the central coordinator and commercial architect of the firm's Global Private Markets initiative.

The role requires a highly strategic and relationship-oriented business development professional who can identify market opportunities, connect lawyers across disciplines, drive revenue-generating client initiatives, and ensure the firm's private markets strategy is translated into tangible client engagement and business growth.

Location

This position can sit in our Palo Alto, San Francisco, New York, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Reston, San Diego, Seattle, Short Hills, or Washington, DC office, and offers a hybrid work schedule.
 
Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership
  • Support the execution of the Global Private Markets strategy and annual business plan.
  • Identify emerging trends, opportunities, and client needs across private equity, private credit, infrastructure, real assets, funds, secondaries, and other private capital markets.
  • Develop and manage strategic growth initiatives aligned with firm leadership objectives.
  • Track key performance indicators and measure initiative success.       
     
• Cross-Firm Coordination
  • Act as the primary coordinator among practice groups, industry sectors, and regional offices participating in the initiative.
  • Facilitate collaboration among partners and business professionals to develop integrated client solutions.
  • Organize leadership meetings, working groups, and regular reporting processes.
  • Ensure consistent execution of priorities across all participating teams.   
     

• Client Development
  • Partner with lawyers to identify cross-selling and relationship expansion opportunities across the private markets ecosystem.
  • Coordinate pursuit teams for significant client opportunities and strategic pitches.
  • Develop client targeting strategies focused on institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, asset managers, sponsors, family offices, and portfolio companies.
  • Support the creation of account plans for priority clients.
     
• Market Intelligence and Commercial Insights
  • Build and maintain intelligence on key market developments, competitor activity, capital flows, and investment trends.
  • Identify areas where changing private capital structures create opportunities for new legal services.
  • Produce executive-level reporting and strategic recommendations for initiative leadership.
       

• Profile Raising and Thought Leadership
  • Coordinate the firm's private markets thought leadership strategy.
  • Oversee development of client alerts, publications, webinars, podcasts, conferences, and industry events.
  • Work with communications and marketing teams to elevate the firm's market profile.
  • Support speaking opportunities and external engagement for initiative leaders.     
     
• Internal Engagement
  • Develop messaging and business development tools that help lawyers understand and articulate the firm's private markets value proposition.
  • Foster a culture of collaboration and information sharing across practices and regions.
  • Maintain internal databases of capabilities, client relationships, and market opportunities.
  • Drive firmwide participation in initiative priorities. 

Desired Skills   

Demonstrates advanced strategic thinking and commercial acumen, with the ability to assess market developments, identify growth opportunities, and translate business objectives into actionable strategies that support firm and client priorities. Possesses a strong understanding of the global private markets ecosystem, including private equity, private credit, infrastructure, real assets, asset management, and related investment structures. Applies data-driven decision making, market intelligence, and business insights to develop recommendations, evaluate performance, and drive continuous improvement.
 

Exhibits exceptional leadership, relationship management, and collaboration skills within a complex, matrixed organization. Effectively influences senior stakeholders without direct authority, builds strong cross-functional partnerships, and fosters alignment across practices, sectors, and geographies. Demonstrates executive presence, superior communication skills, and the ability to lead large-scale initiatives, manage competing priorities, and deliver results through others. Possesses strong project management, team development, and organizational leadership capabilities, with a focus on driving accountability, innovation, operational excellence, and sustained business growth.

Minimum Education            

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Marketing, Economics, Law or similar field.
   

Preferred Education            

• Master's Degree in MBA, JD, Finance, Business, Economics, Marketing or related fields.
   

Minimum Years of Experience  

• 10+ years’ progressively responsible experience in business development, client development, marketing, strategy, or related professional services leadership roles, including substantial experience within a global law firm, financial services organization, investment management firm, consulting firm, or other professional services environment serving private capital clients.
   

Essential Job Expectations

All DLA Piper employees are expected to demonstrate excellence in how we serve our clients and develop our people, upholding our firm values as part of our culture. Specific expectations include:

• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with clients, lawyers, business professionals, and external audiences.
• Produce high-quality work and respond to correspondence in an efficient, timely, and professional manner.
• Meet deadlines, manage competing priorities, and commit to meeting high standards.
• Comply with firm policies and procedures.
• Maintain confidences as required in a law firm environment.
   

Physical Demands

Sedentary work: This is primarily sedentary work, requiring occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull, or move objects. The role involves sitting for extended periods, with occasional walking and standing, and occasional travel, both domestic and international.
 

Work Environment   

The individual selected for this position may have the opportunity for a hybrid work arrangement combining remote and in-office work. The specific arrangement will be determined at the time of hiring and may be modified at the firm's discretion.
 

Disclaimer   

The purpose of this job description is to provide a concise statement of the work elements and to organize and present the information in a standardized way. It is not intended to describe all the elements of the work that may be performed by every individual in this classification, nor should it serve as the sole criteria for personnel decisions and actions. The job duties, requirements, and expectations for this position may be modified at the Firm’s discretion at any time. This job description does not change the at-will nature of employment.
 

Application Process    

Interested candidates must apply directly online. Application materials sent via email will not be accepted.
 

Accommodation   

Reasonable accommodations may be made upon request to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position or participate in the selection process. For accommodation requests, please contact [email protected].
 

Agency applications will not be considered.
 

This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship or support.  
 

This job description provides a concise overview of the role and is not intended to describe all work elements that may be performed. It should not serve as the sole criteria for personnel decisions. Job duties, requirements, and expectations may be modified at the firm's discretion at any time. This job description does not alter the at-will nature of employment.
 

We are committed to excellence in how we serve our clients and develop our people.

Applicants who are not based in the jurisdiction in which this position is posted and who apply for this role are doing so voluntarily and are not eligible for relocation assistance. Any relocation benefits, if any, are provided only where a relocation is required at the firm’s direction and in accordance with applicable policy and law.
 

The firm’s expected hiring range for this position is $245,087 - $360,967 per year depending on the candidate’s geographic market location.

The compensation offered for employment will also be dependent on other factors including the candidate’s experience, skills, educational and professional background, and overall qualifications. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k). 

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DLA Piper is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. Job applicant poster viewing center.