Business Development Management Specialist

This position provides direct support in the execution of a wide variety of business development efforts and initiatives, including events, pitch books, presentations, proposals, research, content administration, marketing communications and practice group coordination. The Specialist has primary responsibility for a number of initiatives, projects or other business development efforts from strategic identification through tactical execution and implementation. The Specialist reports directly to the Senior Business Development Manager (SBDM) with a dotted line relationship to the Chief Marketing Officer.

Essential Duties

Events:

• Manage day of event execution, including registration and nametags, handout materials, site management, speakers and presentations.
• Coordinate all professional accreditations (e.g., CLE, CPE, HRCI).
• Partner with the SBDM on various business development events and sponsorships by working with the firm’s Event Specialists on site/venue research and visits, facility/venue arrangements, room set-up, A/V set-up, giveaways, catering, photography, etc. for onsite and offsite events, invitation list creation and updating, invitation design, event material preparation, reminders, and follow-up communications.
• Update firm’s CRM system to track post-event follow-up and return on investment.
• Work with CRM team to ensure system is reflective of event information and contact updates in the firm’s customer relationship management (CRM) system.
• Responsible for assigned events, including the strategy, subject matter, planning, execution and follow up plan.

Pitch Books, Presentations and Proposals:

• Responsible for creation, tailoring, and production of pitch books, presentations and proposals and tracking relevant information in the firm’s pitch book and proposal databases.
• Coordinate the capturing of revisions made to lawyer resumes, practice descriptions and experience records while preparing a pitch book or proposal and applying permanent updates to the business development documents and databases. Identify and recommend new content that should be culled from pitch books and proposals and added to the business development databases.

Research:

• Partner with the SBDM and section leadership to identify the need for specific company, client, industry, competitor, and industry trends research using the firm’s research tools and internal databases to assist with business development efforts. Liaise with the department’s Competitive Intelligence Group on firm research projects.

Content Administration:

• Update the firm’s CRM system to track new and developing business as directed by the SBDM.
• Accountable for regular updates to practice group overviews, deal and case charts, representative client lists, and other materials. Provide updates on lawyer resumes to the website team for periodic updates.
• Prepare submissions for key directory rankings, awards and league tables.
• Maintain and update practice group distribution and event lists in the firm’s CRM system.
• Support the collection of experience from attorneys and practice groups for inclusion in the firm’s business development databases. Ensure experience submissions meet the firm’s style standards.

Marketing Communications:

• Proofread various marketing communication pieces.
• Prepare and develop internal newsletters, client alerts and other external client communications.
• Work with the SBDM and marketing operations colleagues to leverage collected experience by distributing information through multiple communications channels, e.g., website, press releases, social media and directory submissions.

Practice Group Coordination:

• Review and update periodic accounting reports, working with the SBDM.
• Work directly with the SBDM and relevant section chairs to coordinate annual business planning and goal development, formulate the overall strategy, and execute the tactical business development/marketing plans each year.
• Coordinate all aspects of practice group and client team business development meetings. Prepare and circulate relevant pre/post meeting materials.

Other Duties

Perform related duties as assigned.

Reporting Relationship

The Business Development Specialist reports directly to the Senior Business Development Manager with a dotted line relationship to the Chief Marketing Officer and the relevant section chairs.

Subordinate staff: N/A

Qualifications

Knowledge/Experience:

Four or more years of work experience in professional services, marketing/business development or corporate communications is preferred. Strong computer proficiency is a must, with particular knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Experience with middle market corporations and/or private equity sector desired.

Skills

Excellent communication skills, including listening, writing, proofreading and editing, and superior attention to detail. Strong work ethic and positive client service orientation. Enthusiasm and dedication to the development of a professional services business development career. Ability to learn new software such as InterAction (CRM system), Vuture and a variety of competitive and business intelligence tools is required. Must be able to handle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines. Must be poised and able to exhibit professional diplomacy amid high stress situations. Strong teamwork skills and ability to take ownership of numerous assigned tasks. Willing to work early mornings, evenings and weekends when needed.

Education

Bachelor’s degree. Graduate degree a plus.

Physical Demands

Must be able to move around the office up to 15% of the time to make copies, fax, file, etc. Remains stationary at least 85% of the time. When coordinating/attending special events, might be required to move around up to 100% of the time. This position constantly operates computers, printers and other office productivity machines (e.g., fax machine, copier, etc.) Occasionally required to move documents or files weighing up to 15 lbs. This position requires constant communication and exchange of information with the firm attorneys, vendors, clients and staff. This position must be able to inspect and observe information on a computer screen at least 80% of the time.

Working Conditions

Office Environment. Overtime and occasional travel is required.