Manager - Business Development (IP & IP Litigation)

Lathrop GPM•Kansas City, KS

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Lathrop GPM, a leading law firm, has an opening for a Manager - Business Development. This role is essential to the firm's strategic growth, playing a critical role in evolving the business development strategy. The Manager will work proactively with assigned practice groups to develop and support initiatives that drive new business from existing clients and prospects. This position serves as a key member of the Client Innovation Leadership Team and collaborates with various firm leaders. Lathrop GPM is a full-service, Am Law 200 law firm with multiple offices nationwide. The firm emphasizes a client-centric approach and offers a competitive compensation and benefits package within a professional, challenging, yet comfortable, hybrid working environment.

Requirements

Demonstrated interest in how lawyers support the firm’s clients.
Ability to innovate and help the firm stand out and grow.
7–10 years of marketing or business development experience, with significant project management experience.
Ability to manage multiple projects, respond quickly to inquiries, and motivate attorneys while prioritizing workload.
Proven experience managing project-based and contributing to longer-term marketing and communications budgets.
Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to leverage established tone and messaging for all externally facing materials.
Bachelor’s Degree required, preferably in marketing, communications, or a related field.

Nice To Haves

Law firm or professional services experience preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Partner with the CCO and Director of Business Development to identify and support opportunities for revenue growth from existing and prospective clients, maximizing referral source value.
Serve as a key member of the department’s Revenue Growth Opportunity initiative.
Collaborate with the Director of Practice Management and Practice Group Leader to develop annual business plans for assigned groups that align with the firm’s strategic plan.
Guide Partners and Counsel in developing Individual Performance Plans to support practice group goals.
Oversee all pitches, proposals, and RFPs for assigned groups, ensuring the firm presents its best experience and pricing proposals. Draft content as needed and partner with the pricing team.
Maintain a robust understanding of supported practice groups, including their products and services, to effectively communicate experience and identify synergies for other clients and prospects.
Ensure all marketing and business development content accurately reflects group experience and effectively guides targets to hire the firm.
Stay current on legal and industry trends to identify differentiation opportunities and new niche areas for the firm. Support cross-marketing efforts through regular communication with other business development professionals.
Ensure attorney-developed content is leveraged across all distribution channels, working with Graphic Design, Communications, and Public Relations resources to tailor information for different audiences.
Participate in awards and nominations opportunities, leading Chambers USA, Global, and High Net Worth submissions for aligned practice areas and advising communications/PR on candidates for nomination.
Develop and support business development training programs across all firm levels, providing one-on-one coaching to attorneys as needed.
Own industry/practice group relationships (e.g., IFA, ACC, ACG, BIO), identifying and leveraging benefits, judging ROI, and reporting on budgeting requirements.
Support the firm’s client interview process by supplying historical, internal, and external data on clients targeted for interviews and suggesting clients for interviews.
Collaborate with the Events Team to identify and plan client seminars, attorney speaking engagements, and other marketing events and sponsorships.
Maintain ultimate ownership of mailing lists for supported groups, ensuring accuracy and strategic use for business development initiatives. Act as an ambassador for CRM’s importance to business development.
Continuously evaluate existing marketing and business development plans, tracking ROI on all initiatives.
Act as a general advisor for all marketing and business development activities, including identifying opportunities with new and existing clients.
Other duties as assigned.