Business Development Director

Perkins Coie•Chicago, IL

9d•$178,080 - $320,660

About The Position

GENERAL PURPOSE The Business Development Director (BDD) drives new business opportunities for the firm through a proactive, market-facing approach. This role helps Perkins Coie lawyers, individually and collectively, expand relationships with clients and targeted prospects through lead generation aligned with assigned practices and industry sectors. The BDD identifies qualified revenue opportunities and is accountable to defined sales performance metrics. This role focuses sales efforts on firm priority industry sectors. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS These essential functions are the primary job duties that incumbents must be able to perform unassisted or with some reasonable accommodation. Partner with lawyers and marketing colleagues to identify, prioritize, and pursue high-potential opportunities, including prospective clients, warm prospects, and new matters for existing clients, with a focus on assigned industry sectors. Support strategic efforts to elevate the firm’s profile and expand visibility across the central region through targeted business development and market-facing initiatives. Collaborate with practice and sector marketing business professionals to develop and execute lead generation programs, including campaigns, events, and related initiatives, and build on existing programs, including public chatter leads. Partner with marketing and competitive intelligence business professionals to conduct primary and secondary research and uncover new business opportunities. Use existing networks and build new connections to facilitate introductions between the firm’s key lawyers and select business, community, and industry leaders. Work with marketing department business professionals to increase visibility among decision-makers in priority market segments and industry sectors. Perform other duties as assigned. Maintain regular attendance during scheduled working hours and as needed in the position, consistent with the firm’s attendance expectations.

Requirements

Executive presence, sound judgment, and the ability to build credibility and relationships with varied constituencies.
Ability to influence action and achieve results in a collaborative, matrixed environment.
Demonstrated ability to identify and understand current and future business and legal needs of clients and prospective clients.
Strong interpersonal skills, including professionalism, tact, and discretion.
Ability to quickly build knowledge of the firm’s capabilities, structure, and client base.
Strong collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively without direct authority.
Self-starter mindset, strong problem-solving ability, and a team-oriented approach.
Excellent written, verbal, organizational, and technical skills.
Proficiency in business applications, including Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Word.
Experience using CRM platforms to record, maintain, update, and retrieve sales data.
Minimum of 15 years of success generating new revenue by engaging existing and prospective clients, particularly C-suite executives and, ideally, in-house legal counsel.
Proven track record of assessing business development objectives accurately and creating opportunities through key business relationships.
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent required; advanced degree, such as an MS, MA, MBA, JD, or other relevant graduate degree, strongly preferred.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated knowledge of business development strategies and techniques in a professional services environment.
Experience in the technology and/or financial services sectors preferred.
Experience in legal or other professional services preferred.
Portable relationships and contacts strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Partner with lawyers and marketing colleagues to identify, prioritize, and pursue high-potential opportunities, including prospective clients, warm prospects, and new matters for existing clients, with a focus on assigned industry sectors.
Support strategic efforts to elevate the firm’s profile and expand visibility across the central region through targeted business development and market-facing initiatives.
Collaborate with practice and sector marketing business professionals to develop and execute lead generation programs, including campaigns, events, and related initiatives, and build on existing programs, including public chatter leads.
Partner with marketing and competitive intelligence business professionals to conduct primary and secondary research and uncover new business opportunities.
Use existing networks and build new connections to facilitate introductions between the firm’s key lawyers and select business, community, and industry leaders.
Work with marketing department business professionals to increase visibility among decision-makers in priority market segments and industry sectors.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Maintain regular attendance during scheduled working hours and as needed in the position, consistent with the firm’s attendance expectations.