Friedman Williams
Senior Business Development Manager Chicago
Job ID: 16857
This position is available in the Chicago office.
JOB SUMMARY
The Senior Business Development Manager will provide direct support to assigned practice and industry groups in the execution of a wide variety of marketing and business development initiatives that enhance client relationships, grow business, and increase market share. We are looking for an individual who is client-service oriented with strong writing, communication, problem solving, and organizational skills who has the ability to exercise sound independent judgment. The candidate must have a desire to work in a team environment while also being able to work independently and possess the ability to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines. Attention to detail, the willingness to stretch into new roles, and a positive attitude are critical to succeed in this role. The Senior Business Development Manager will be required to handle ambiguity, influence stakeholders and colleagues, and find ways to move initiatives forward to meet deadlines and ensure favorable results while simultaneously driving business to the firm.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES*
The Senior Business Development Manager will report to the Chief Marketing Officer. In this role, the successful candidate will support our attorneys with all aspects of the firm’s and individual lawyers marketing efforts, including:
• Strategy – Develop a deep knowledge of the firm’s attorneys, clients, experience, and capabilities and translate this knowledge into compelling value propositions for new business generation with existing and new clients. Work directly with lawyers to propose and lead strategic business development activities, and provide hands-on support in to advance assigned practice and industry groups and individual partner initiatives.
• Proposals & Pitches – Prepare standard and custom pitch materials; draft responses to RFPs and other intricate proposals; and assist with the development of business development presentations. Track outcomes.
• Collateral & Matter Database Maintenance – Draft and update marketing content, including practice area descriptions, lawyer biographies, client presentations, and other materials as needed; maintain and regularly update the matter database(s) for assigned practice group(s).
• Strategic Research – Conduct and analyze competitive intelligence research and compile information regarding existing and prospective clients, competitor activity, and industry or market trends to aid in creating new business development opportunities.
• Events – Provide support for client events, including concept development, invitation creation, logistics, and follow-up.
• Award Submissions – Lead the compilation of annual submissions to legal directories, award and ranking submissions, and other PR submissions and surveys including Chambers and The Legal500, among others.
• Memberships, Sponsorships, and Conferences – Assist attorneys in developing strong relationships with industry and trade associations that will benefit the firm and practice groups. Track and research potential conferences and other thought leadership opportunities to help cross-sell the firm’s numerous practices and industries and promote the firm’s brand in key markets. Negotiate sponsorship agreements and help coordinate all related marketing components, such as providing brand elements to maximize the firm’s visibility at the event, developing advertisements and securing strong placement, etc.
• CRM – Develop and maintain segmented client and prospect mailing lists in the firm’s CRM.
• Integration – Support the integration of lateral lawyers, including collection and integration of experience into practice materials.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Other Administrative Tasks – Manage and execute administrative tasks associated with the business development function, such as securing budget approvals, processing check requests, scheduling marketing related meetings across offices, and similar requests as needed.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
• Must have a strong sense of client service.
• Ability to professionally interact and collaborate with colleagues at all levels.
• Ability to prioritize competing demands, meet various deadlines and perform well under pressure.
• Highly motivated, persuasive, priority-driven and collaborative.
• Strong project and process management experience.
• Sound business judgment.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to execute through to completion.
• Critical and analytical thinker with strong research capabilities.
• Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Solid proofreading and editing skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite.
Education:
• Bachelor’s degree required.
Experience:
• Ten (10) or more years of marketing and business development experience, preferably with a law firm or professional services firm.
• Minimum of five (5) years law firm experience