Business Development Manager

Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP is a mid-size Chicago Loop law firm in search of a Business Development Manager for its Client Services & Marketing Department.

The Business Development Manager is a key member of the firm’s Marketing & Business Development Department, providing hands‑on support for firmwide initiatives across practices and industries. The Manager identifies opportunities, manages projects from start to completion, oversees strategic initiatives, and helps drive revenue growth. This role entails a high level of attorney interaction and visibility and requires strategic communication, strong writing skills, proactive and creative thinking, and the ability to prioritize a demanding workload.

• Pitch & Proposal Management:
  Manages and oversees the creation, organization, and follow‑up of new business pitches, proposals, and RFP responses from intake through final submission.
• Practice & Industry Group Partnership:
  Partners with practice and industry group leaders to develop and implement tailored business development strategies aligned with practice goals.
• Business Planning & Liaison Support:
  Facilitates business planning for practice and industry groups, firm initiatives, and individual attorneys; serves as the marketing and business development liaison and attends related meetings.
• Cross‑Selling Initiative:
  Co‑manages the firm’s cross‑selling efforts by developing a strong understanding of attorney capabilities and client needs and identifying opportunities across practices and offices.
• Leadership & Meeting Engagement:
  Maintains a professional presence and participates in firm leadership, partner, and practice group meetings to provide business development updates and support planning.
• Business Development Infrastructure:
  Oversees business development processes and tools, including experience collection, relationship monitoring platforms, pipelines, and the CRM platform.
• Events & Sponsor ships:
  Collaborates with the Marketing Manager to plan and execute practice group events, industry sponsor ships, advertisements, and speaking engagements.
• Media Relations Coordination:
  Fosters and maintains a strong working relationship with the external media relations agency team.
• Marketing Materials & Bios:
  Maintains business development and marketing collateral, including attorney biographies and practice group materials.
• Directories & Awards:
  Oversees practice group directory submissions and award submissions for publications and industry recognitions.
• Industry Relationships:
  Manages strategic relationships with practice‑ and industry‑specific organizations (e.g., Chicago SHRM, IACC, IVCA, HPA).
• Associate Onboarding:
  Oversees marketing and business development onboarding for associates.
• Committee Participation:
  Participates as an active member of firm committees as assigned.
• Additional Support:
  Performs other duties as requested by the Marketing & Business Development Director.

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, or a related field. Advanced degree (e.g., MBA, JD) is a plus.
• Minimum five (5) years of marketing experience in a law firm or professional services setting.
• Strong understanding of legal practices, client dynamics, and business development strategies tailored to law firms.
• Experience writing concise new business proposals, pitches, correspondence, and other business development communications.
• Excellent verbal communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills to engage effectively with stakeholders at various levels.
• Ability to work autonomously, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and thrive in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment.
• Experience managing, training, and supervising direct report(s).Proficiency in CRM software (Inter Action), Microsoft Office Suite, and other relevant business development tools.

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential…