Business Development Manager - Transportation and Infrastructure

The Business Development Manager for Transportation and Infrastructure is a key team member within the Marketing Department. The Manager serves as a dedicated liaison to one or more practice and/or industry groups. They work directly with the group leaders and other partners to develop and execute strategies and business plans and manage an aligned range of business development and marketing initiatives.

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

The Manager may have direct supervisory responsibility for Business Development and Marketing Specialist and/or Coordinator level professionals and is responsible for fostering a collaborative, high-performing team. Additionally, they are expected to lead by example, mentor junior members of the team, and embody the highest standards of service delivery. The role requires the development of strong and effective working relationships within the Marketing Department, as well as with other professional business functions, and lawyers, across the Firm’s global platform.

Duties and Responsibilities Practice and Client Development Consults with practice/industry leaders and other partners to develop and execute marketing and client development plans for the group and individual lawyers

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

Identifies and recommends business development opportunities and trends using data analytics, competitive intelligence, industry trends, market analyses, and similar resources

Evaluates the development of business prospects and cross-marketing efforts and makes recommendations to practice/industry leaders

Manages, 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 and client research to aid in practice development initiatives

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

Onboards and integrates lateral lawyer hires in the practice/industry, working closely with the relevant regional marketing team Proposals and Pitches Serves as project manager and key contributor for RFPs, pitches, and other business development projects, both for primary groups and others, as needed

Spearheads briefing discussions to propose and/or understand the opportunity

Writes new business proposals and produces targeted, tailored responses to RFIs/RFPsServes as advisor in preparing and rehearsing pitch teams

Supports follow-up and debrief activities post-pitch and reports them back to Firm leaders

Marketing and Profile-raising Activities Leads preparation of submissions for practice/industry 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

Employee Management Participates in hiring, managing, and developing staff; oversees daily operations and monitors staff work product; manages professional…