Business Development Specialist

Overview

The Business Development Specialist serves as a business development and marketing liaison primarily to the Investment Funds, Advisers and Derivatives practice in addition to serving as the primary liaison to the Public Finance practice and Latin America working group. S/He will work directly with the partners in the group (across various offices worldwide) to develop and execute clear strategies and business plans, and manage an aligned range of marketing campaigns, programs/events, communications and key account activity.

Projects include: securing panel and other appointments through the submission of written proposals/pitches; assisting in the maintenance of business development and marketing collateral for the group (including experience databases); monitoring progress against planned priorities; directory submissions and improving the profile of the practices and developing strategy for participation in or planning of major events. S/He takes an active role in learning about Investment Funds, Advisers and Derivatives, Public Finance, Latin America and closely related practices such as Private Equity, Securities, M&A, Project Finance and Energy, among others.  S/He helps develop projects to enhance the groups’ and the Firm’s internal knowledge about its clients and business in order to foster cross-selling.

Responsibilities

Proposals and Pitches

• Serves as lead project manager for RFPs and pitches, both for the primary practices and other groups, as necessary.
• Spearheads briefing discussions to propose and/or understand the opportunity.
• Writes new business proposals and produce targeted, tailored responses to RFIs/RFPs.
• Supports follow-up and debrief activities post-pitch and report them back to Firm. 

Practice and Client Development

• In conjunction with Business Development Manager, consults with Practice Area Team (PAT) leadership and key partners on development and coordination of marketing and client development plans for the group and individual lawyers within the PAT.
• Attends and contributes to PAT meetings and planning sessions.
• Tracks and analyzes practice initiatives and how those initiatives impact the group’s budget and to provide evaluation of past initiatives to determine if there is sufficient ROI to repeat those initiatives.
• In conjunction with Business Development Manager, evaluates the viability and probability of the development of business prospects and cross-marketing efforts of the practice groups.
• Develops and refines processes and procedures relating to the practices’ business development “infrastructure” (e.g., written collateral; database/matter lists; contact lists; opportunity tracking; etc.). Maintains an acute level of quality control to ensure that all marketing collateral, communications, deal lists and the like are consistent, error-free and up to date. Ensures processes are efficient and the best possible use is made of available technology and other resources.
• Coordinates with Market Intelligence team to conduct industry and client research to aid in practice development initiatives.
• Facilitates the planning, implementation and follow-up of new business or cross-marketing opportunities. 

Other Marketing and Profile-raising Activities

• Leads practice areas’ submission of rankings, surveys and other ratings information.
• Works with Regional Marketing teams to plan Firm-sponsored and other co-hosted programs and events.
• Recommends and facilitates the involvement of Firm lawyers in professional organizations that will enhance the visibility of the lawyers and the Firm in global and industry platforms.
• Other duties as required.

Qualifications

Qualification Requirements:  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the Duties and Responsibilities (the “Duties”) above satisfactorily and meet the requirements below.  The requirements listed below are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Employees or applicants who need an accommodation should contact Human Resources.

Education and/or Experience

Required

• At least four years of experience in the legal arena (especially in the practice areas listed above) and/or strategic planning, sales, market assessment or positioning in other professional services industries
• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four year college or university
• Demonstrated ability to accept responsibility and take initiative to drive projects
• Strong organizational skills for workload
• Strong ability to work under tight deadlines
• Excellent writing and proofreading skills
• Able to multi-task and prioritize accordingly
• Demonstrated above-average experience and skill level in PowerPoint
• Demonstrated experience in MS Word and Excel
• Working knowledge of customer relationship management and other databases such as SDC Platinum/Thomson One Banker, InterAction and S&P CapitalIQ.
• Familiarity with BondBuyer.

Preferred

• B.A. or J.D. a considerable plus
• Finance or business knowledge a plus
• Familiarity with Government-Issued RFPs a plus

Other Skills and Abilities

• In addition to the above, the following may also be required of the successful candidate:
• Excellent attention to detail
• The use of good judgment and good interpersonal communication skills
• Well-developed analytical and problem solving skills
• Works harmoniously and effectively with others as part of a team
• A self-starter who desires to show ownership and commitment to the job
• Exercises confidentiality and discretion