Business Development Director

Description:

The Business Development Director is responsible for developing and executing marketing and business development programs for the five noted groups. This person will collaborate with the related business unit leaders to raise the profile of their practices and our professionals in the market, develop go-to-market BD campaigns, provide strategic direction and oversight for RFP and pitch requests, focus on new business generation opportunities through sponsorships/events, strategize on ways to apply business development rigor in support of our booming thought leadership program, provide direction and oversight on our marketing materials, and assist in the development of business with key clients, among other activities.

The Business Development Director will supervise BD team members who are liaising with each of our business groups, providing day-to-day guidance and mentorship and will collaborate with the Sr. Director of Business Development and Strategic Initiatives on long-term strategy for enhancing the sophistication of our efforts.

Exceptional leadership, communication, and management skills are a requirement for this position. Prior legal marketing/BD experience is greatly preferred, but not required.

Responsibilities:
Business Development

Co-develop and implement the annual marketing and business development plans and budgets with practice group leadership and provide hands-on coordination and execution nationally. Oversee and monitor expenditures against budgets.
Provide guidance and strategic direction for preparation of RFP responses and pitch materials, and oversee the development of proposals and presentations for new business providing specific, customized solutions and qualifications. Provide value added message development and editing.
Define and apply business development processes to expand current business penetration with existing clients by improving cross-selling practices, enhancing client service quality, and developing new revenue opportunities.
Working with our Sr. BD Manager – Integrated Services, establish and manage standards and procedures to ensure that representative experience (deals, cases, matters etc.) are collected on a regular and timely basis and added to the experience database.
Conduct research and compile relevant information regarding existing and prospective clients, competitor activity and industry and market trends to aid in the development of marketing plans, presentations and proposals.
Assist in integrating new lateral partners and managing directors to the department, practice and firm. This includes communicating the marketing department capabilities and structure, assisting with creating the press release and announcement, and identifying opportunities to meet with partners and clients.
Manage communications with departmental and practice group leadership, including responsibility for periodic meetings, reports, analysis, and monitoring progress.
Marketing

Develop strategies to position the practices nationally and work with professionals to market the services and expertise of the practice groups both externally and within the firm.
Proactively work with the firm’s branding team to develop brand compliant materials, ensure practice descriptions are updated and readily available on the firm’s website and intranet, including experience records, matter lists and biographies.
Provide strategy and direction for professional participation in seminars, webinars, conferences and other firm-sponsored events. Maximize memberships to professional organizations by exploring possible partnerships, supporting development of utilization plans, and tracking ROI.
Identify potential press opportunities and collaborate with the communications team to gain coverage in key industry and professional publications and other target media in order to strengthen name recognition in key geographic markets and areas where the firm chooses to focus. Liaise with the communications team to pitch story ideas, place articles, and provide spokespeople as appropriate.
Collaborate with Sr. BD Manager, Integrated Services on strategy for submission preparation for select publications and organizations (e.g. Chambers, Legal 500, industry associations).
Identify professional organizations, industry associations, educational institutions and clients to identify leadership positions, speaking opportunities and sources of referral.
Qualifications & Requirements:
This is a senior level role, ideally suited to a candidate with at least 10 years of business development and marketing experience gained in a major professional services firm, who understands client needs and selling strategies. Must have bachelor's degree and prior marketing and business development experience in a law firm or professional services environment.

Strong writing and editorial skills, and attention to detail.
Demonstrated strength in collaborating across teams and in successfully managing projects and initiatives.
Candidates must demonstrate a proven ability to plan and execute business development strategies and the willingness to work hands-on to achieve objectives in a low leverage environment.
Outstanding project management skills: the ability to execute strategies through specific project teams comprised of attorneys and staff.
Professional focus and discipline required to balance long-term strategic vision with effective day-to-day implementation of strategy will be critical, as is good judgment and problem solving skills.
Consistent ability to meet deadlines and the flexibility to travel and work additional hours as needed to meet department goals is essential.
Supervisory experience required. The candidate must be a team player, proactive and have a positive and confident approach backed by tenacity and commitment. Good influencing and negotiating skills and an ability to persuade others to deliver is a must.
Will possess the ability to handle multiple projects and competing, shifting priorities, make decisions and adapt to changing work situations professionally and effectively.
Proven ability to make compelling and persuasive presentations.