Business Development Specialist

The Business Development and Marketing Specialist is a key team member within the Marketing Department. The Specialist serves as a liaison to Litigation practice group. They work directly with BD and Marketing colleagues and partners in the groups (across various offices) to develop and execute clear strategies and business plans, and manage an aligned range of business development pursuits, marketing campaigns and communications, client events and sponsor ships, and key account activity.

The Specialist takes an active role in learning about the service offering, lawyers, and clients of the assigned groups and related practices. They help develop and lead initiatives to enhance the groups’ knowledge about our clients, their business needs, and relevant Sidley capabilities to foster cross-selling.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Proposals and Pitches Serves as lead project manager for RFPs and pitches, both for the assigned groups and others, as needed

Spearheads briefing discussions to propose and/or understand the opportunity

Writes new business proposals, conducts matter research, and produces targeted, tailored responses to RFIs/RFPsSupports follow-up, debriefs activities post-pitch, and reports results

Practice and Client Development Supports practice/industry team leadership and other partners on development and coordination of marketing and client development plans for the group and individual lawyers

Attends and contributes to practice/industry group meetings and planning sessions

Develops and refines the groups’ business development “infrastructure” (e.g., written collateral, experience database/matter lists, contact lists, opportunity tracking, etc.), exercising an acute level of quality control to ensure that all marketing collateral, communications, matter lists, and other materials 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

Helps group leaders prepare and manage the group’s BD budget; tracks and analyzes practice/industry initiatives, evaluating the ROI of activities to recommend and plan future efforts

Coordinates with the Market Intelligence team to conduct industry, client, and competitive research to support practice development initiatives

Facilitates the planning, implementation, and follow-up of new business or cross-marketing opportunities

Marketing and Profile-raising Activities Leads the drafting and submission of rankings, awards, surveys, league tables, and other recognitions for assigned groups

Works with Regional BD and Marketing team members to plan client programs and Sidley-sponsored events

Works with the Communications and PR team to identify thought leadership topics and Sidley lawyers to engage in media commentary, article publication, podcasts, etc.

Recommends and facilitates the involvement of Firm lawyers in professional organizations that will enhance the visibility of the lawyers and the Firm in relevant practice/industry platforms

Education and/or

Experience:

Required:

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited universityA minimum of five (5) years of professional marketing, business development, or other relevant experience

Supports follow-up, debriefs activities post-pitch, and reports results

Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Outlook Preferred:

Marketing, business development, or related experience in a law firm or other professional services organization

Working knowledge of customer relationship, pipeline, and experience management databases such as Inter Action, Salesforce, and/or Foundation Familiarity with relevant company/market research tools, as well as law firm rankings, awards, and league table publications

Other

Skills and Abilities:

The following will also be required of the successful candidate:

Strong organizational skills

Strong attention to detail

Good judgment

Strong interpersonal communication skills

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Able to work harmoniously and effectively with others

Able to preserve confidentiality and exercise discretion

Able to work under pressure

Able to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and…