Business Development Manager - Emerging Companies and Venture Capital

Business Development Manager - Emerging Companies and Venture Capital

The Business Development Manager ("Manager") is responsible for identifying and supporting revenue-generating opportunities for the firm's emerging company and venture capital practice. This individual will proactively develop relationships with founders and early-stage startups (both existing clients and prospects); university, incubator and accelerator program contacts; technology industry groups; venture and seed investors; and other service providers. In addition to understanding the business plans and legal needs of entrepreneurs, the Manager serves as a spokesperson for Wilmer Hale, educating the market about our lawyers, services and value proposition and promoting our brand, with a primary geographic focus in the Bay Area but also extending to Boston, New York and more national efforts.

Internally, the Manager is expected to deliver market updates, insights and recommendations and consistently engage lawyers from our emerging company and venture capital practice in activities designed to enhance their visibility, strengthen and expand their client portfolios and grow market share.

This role serves as the go-to lead for practice group business development and marketing projects, including—but not limited to—implementing strategic business development activities, responding to pitches and RFPs, managing events, and leading marketing initiatives such as thought leadership and social media projects. Additional responsibilities include increasing practice group and individual attorney visibility and overseeing marcom infrastructure projects, such as maintaining mailing lists and practice group descriptions.

Demonstrates a strong commitment to professionalism by setting clear expectations and ensuring the delivery of high‑quality service. Fosters and reinforces a positive, solution‑oriented ('can‑do') approach across the team. Ensures effective support of internal departments, external clients, and vendors by modeling and requiring clear, courteous communication through electronic correspondence, telephone, and in‑person interactions.

What You Will Bring to This Position

• Deep understanding of the startup culture and ability to offer strategic guidance to founders and entrepreneurs.
• Ability to support business development initiatives across multiple transactional practice groups, ensuring alignment with firm-wide goals.
• Knowledge of venture capital industry, tech sectors, fundraising trends and business models.
• Knowledge of transactional practices, including M&A, private equity, capital market, and others.
• Familiarity with and existing relationships in the startup ecosystem in the Bay Area.
• Skilled at networking, building relationships and making connections with a broad range of constituents.
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently while securing buy-in and engaging decision-makers at key times to validate approach.
• Excellent written, presentation and oral communication skills.
• Experience with CRM system, Salesforce or other pipeline management tools is preferable.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with high expectations for attention to detail and quality.
• Remains open to technological change as generative AI becomes more integrated into the firm's practice, actively develop comfort with new tools, and adapt how work is performed to support efficiency and innovation.

Education

• Bachelor's degree required.

Experience

• Minimum of eight+ years of experience in legal, technology, management, or market analysis environment preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years' experience in venture capital, accelerator/incubator program management or in a business development capacity at a mature startup or startup-focused professional services firm.

Why Join Us?

• A values driven firm that fosters collaboration and respect
• The hiring range for this position is $185,900 - $232,400 annually, with final compensation based on experience, qualifications and internal equity.
• This position is eligible for a Hybrid Schedule
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match and profit-sharing options
• Paid time off and holidays