Manager: Business Development

Mayer Brown LLP•Chicago, IL

16d•$136,000 - $180,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Mayer Brown is an international law firm positioned to represent the world’s major corporations, funds, and financial institutions in their most important and complex transactions and disputes. We are recognized by our clients as strategic partners with deep commercial instincts and a commitment to creatively anticipating their needs and delivering excellence in everything we do.We are a collegial, collaborative firm where highly motivated individuals with an unwavering commitment to excellence receive the opportunity, support, and development they need to grow, thrive, and realize their greatest potential all while supporting the Firm’s client service principles of excellence, strategic partnership, commercial instinct, integrated strengths, innovation, and collaboration across our international firm.If you enjoy working with team members whose defining characteristics are exceptional client service, initiative, professionalism, responsiveness, and adaptability, you may be the person we are seeking to join our Commercial department in our Chicago office, as a Manager: Busiess Development. The Manager: Business Development will support our Litigation practices, with a primary focus on our Antitrust and Competition practice, as well as other practices as required. In this role, you will help drive growth across high-stakes litigation and regulatory matters—ranging from regulatory investigations and enforcement actions to multidistrict class actions and appellate proceedings. You will collaborate with lawyers who pair sophisticated advocacy with deep industry insight to deliver integrated strategies for leading financial institutions, manufacturers, and emerging market participants. This is an opportunity to shape go-to-market initiatives for practices that tackle multi-forum disputes, class actions, MDLs, and regulatory scrutiny, and to partner with a team recognized for its practical judgment, creativity, and business acumen. You will play a pivotal role in translating technical subject matter into compelling market narratives, building profile through thought leadership and strategic campaigns, and positioning the practices as first-choice counsel for clients facing bet-the-company risks and evolving regulatory expectations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in related field
Six or more years of demonstrated success in a marketing, research, management, and/or communications-related field, either in the professional services (e.g., law, accounting, or consulting) or in a comparable position(s) in the corporate, trade association, or academic sectors
Proficiency in Microsoft Office products
Strong written and verbal communication skills, able to communicate effectively and in a professional manner with all levels of the Firm and outside vendors
Ability to work in a diverse team environment and effectively support the demanding needs of the Firm
Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines with shifting priorities
Must be a self-starter with a high level of initiative
Strong customer service skills, able to anticipate needs and exercise independent judgment
Strong attention to detail, organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects
Maintains confidentiality and exercises discretion
Exercises solid strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
Familiarity with accepted research techniques and databases typically used for competitive intelligence in a professional services company
Demonstrated good judgment, a team-first orientation, meticulous and results driven
Demonstrates leadership and supervisory experience including managing projects and workflows, effectively leveraging BD&M team support as needed
Manages processes for direct reports in relation to performance appraisals, annual compensation, goal setting and performance counseling
Leads by example, providing guidance, coaching, and mentorship to BD&M team members
Operational budget analysis and recommendations
Conducts analysis of staffing levels and participation in the recruitment process
Able to determine and implement change processes to improve workflow efficiencies
Process- and service-oriented with strong leadership and project management skills
Able to set priorities and delegate in an efficient manner
Analysis of staffing levels and requests for assistance
Operational budget analysis and recommendations

Responsibilities

Develops and supports annual marketing and business development business plan development focused on priorities outlined by firm leaders and/or assigned teams, including thought leadership platforms, communications, and client outreach
Collaborate with Business Development & Marketing department leadership and group leaders to develop annual budgets to support initiatives outlined in business plan(s) or as outlined by leadership, including specifying key strategic and tactical objectives and means to achieve annual goals
Manage day-to-day responsibilities to ensure that assignments and projects are properly managed and in alignment with the firm’s overall strategic efforts, and that service to clients is exceptional
Support the onboarding and integration of lateral lawyers
Develop and support the implementation of key BD initiatives, including priority client targeting and campaigns, client satisfaction, client seminars, roadshows, and networking events, as well as other initiatives to enhance business development efforts
Engage in research and analysis and competitive intelligence-gathering
Support the collection and maintenance of CRM-based contact and other data for marketing planning and for mailing lists
Support in the collection and reporting of matter experience
Partners with BD&M colleagues to facilitate the completion of directory submissions; regional surveys; league table/industry survey content; specific lawyer and practice awards and accolades; and other profile-raising initiatives on behalf of the industry group
Support coordination of business development training for lawyers
Manages responses to RFPs, and pitch, presentation, and other opportunities via the development of written proposal and presentation materials for the practice group and liaise with others when relevant
Develop new marketing brochures and edit and refine existing ones; maintain practice descriptions in BD&M-shared systems
Periodically review and consult with lawyers regarding their bios and practice descriptions to ensure that they are current
When relevant, provide support for seminars, sponsorships, and other events and initiatives pursued by the firm in the local office
When relevant, support the onboarding and integration of lateral lawyers
Assist with the supervision and training of more junior team members
Performs other duties as assigned or required to meet Firm goals and objectives