Senior Business Development Manager, Capital Markets

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation•Palo Alto, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Wilson Sonsini is seeking a seasoned Senior Business Development Manager to lead the development and execution of strategic marketing and business development plans for the firm’s premier Capital Markets Practice (CMG) within the Corporate Department. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of equity and debt markets, key participants, emerging opportunities, and the competitive legal landscape. This role requires familiarity with major players like unicorns and investment banks, insight into competitors, and experience mentoring junior professionals. The position is suited for someone with significant Big Law business development experience and comfort in an entrepreneurial environment. The Senior Business Development Manager will work directly with CMG practice group leaders, manage at least two direct reports, and report to the Director of Business Development for the Corporate Department. This position is available with a hybrid work schedule.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
7+ years of marketing/client development experience required, with ideally 3 of those years in a law firm.
Strong commercial sense and confidence to understand the needs and expectations of attorneys and clients, as well as how the marketing and business development function can facilitate and drive revenue.
Demonstrated ability to “own” the strategy, execution, and evaluation of all initiatives.
Keen ability to "connect dots"- draw conclusions, assess implications and make recommendations.
Exceptional verbal and written communication, persuasion, and motivation skills are critical to success.
Comfortable working cross-functionally and contributing to a supportive, collegial culture.
Unflappable self-starter who thrives on juggling numerous high-visibility projects on tight deadlines.
Strong analytical skills needed for all primary duties of position, including comprehending and communicating data.
Familiarity with current AI tools and platforms, with a demonstrated curiosity and comfort testing, evaluating, and adopting emerging AI technologies to enhance business development and research efforts.
Expert organizational skills needed to manage time well, prioritize effectively, and handle multiple deadlines.
Seasoned professional interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively with people at all organizational levels of the firm.
Ability to travel as needed.

Nice To Haves

Graduate degree (e.g. MBA or JD) preferred.
Prior experience mentoring junior level business development professionals.
Significant Big Law business development experience.
High comfort level working in an entrepreneurial environment.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute strategic plans for the firm’s CMG in close collaboration with the practice group and office leaders.
Work closely with Corporate Department leadership and key partners to drive and support their marketing and business development plans.
Maintain a deep understanding of the Corporate Department’s client base, including knowledge of the work being performed.
Drive research projects focused on client targeting, market trends, and competitor analysis, distilling complex data into concise insights and presenting findings to drive pitches, pursuits and business development strategy.
Oversee deal data collection and league table reporting.
Develop and implement client targeting programs and pursuit teams.
Lead the strategy and execution of private label events from concept through delivery, including defining objectives, shaping content and audience, and partnering with the Events team on logistics to ensure seamless execution and measurable ROI.
Collaborate with the Corporate department’s marketing manager to develop and drive tactics and programs that raise the CMG’s internal/external visibility through events, sponsorships, public relations, and social media.
Identify and support cross-practice, cross-department, and cross-region opportunities and collaborate with attorneys and marketing colleagues to develop and drive marketing and business development plans to exploit those opportunities.
Take ownership of high-impact assignments from senior BD leadership, ensuring timely and effective execution.
Build and maintain relationships with appropriate organizations and vendors to maximize engagement and business development efforts.
Direct the development of marketing collateral, responses to RFPs and pitches that helps win new business.
Provide business intelligence on markets, clients, prospects, competitors, and individuals.
Advise and counsel CMG attorneys in all stages of marketing and business development, from vetting sponsorship opportunities to preparing attorney teams for major business development activities.
Serve as BD coach to newly promoted partners.
Develop regular internal communications highlighting the practice and key deals and trends in the marketplace.
Disseminate trends as they relate to clients, practice initiatives, and competitors to the wider BD team.
Educate the BD team regarding the CMG’s capabilities and work as well as market trends as appropriate.
Partner with all functional groups in the Marketing Department and other administrative groups to plan and execute the practices’ key initiatives.