Law Firm Sr Business Development Manager - Corporate Department

Chelsea Search Group•Chicago, IL

About The Position

This position will be a part of the firm’s Marketing & Business Development team and will work closely with Corporate Department and Team Leaders as the senior strategic business development and marketing advisor. The Senior Business Development Manager will provide high-level, comprehensive support to select corporate teams across offices by driving practice growth, client development, and market positioning initiatives on the Firm’s international platform.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree is a requirement, advanced degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, or related field preferred.
Minimum of 7 years in legal or professional services marketing; at least 5 years in a manager-level business development/marketing role at an Am Law 100 firm or similar environment.
Demonstrated ability to develop and execute innovative, results-driven business development strategies for corporate or transactional practices.
Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop high-performing teams; experience managing complex, cross-functional projects, and initiatives.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated success building relationships with high-level clients and internal stakeholders.
Advanced proficiency with MS Office, CRM/ERM systems, marketing technology platforms, and data analytics tools.
In-depth understanding of law firm economics, service offerings, and market dynamics; ability to identify and act on revenue growth opportunities.
High level of emotional intelligence, executive-level judgment, and discretion when handling confidential matters.
Ability to manage multiple complex projects and shift priorities in a fast-paced, high-performance environment.
Occasional travel required.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience supporting M&A, private equity, and technology transactions teams is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Strategy & Planning Serve as both a strategic planner and implementer for select teams within the Corporate Department with heavy focus on strategic growth practices.
Advise and partner with department leadership, team leaders, and firm leadership to identify growth opportunities and execute go-to-market plans in alignment with Firm’s Strategic Plan and business objectives.
Analyze market trends, client and industry developments, and competitor positioning to inform long-term business development direction and competitive differentiation.
Participate in regular team meetings with department and team leadership to ensure goal alignment, and consistent follow-up on key initiatives.
Client Development & Relationship Management Identify and advance cross-selling, collaboration, and client expansion opportunities leveraging existing firm relationships and geographic footprint.
Oversee the development, curation, and updating of marketing collateral, including proposals, pitch materials, client alerts, presentations, and website content, ensuring compliance with Firm brand guidelines.
Serve as the primary point of contact for Request for Proposals (RFPs) and pitch efforts where select Corporate Department teams are being engaged.
Design and implement strategies for high-visibility client events, sponsorships, speaking engagements, and signature Firm events to strengthen client relationships and market standing.
Marketing Communications & Content Leadership Oversee the development, curation, and updating of marketing collateral, including proposals, pitch materials, client alerts, presentations, and website content, ensuring compliance with Firm brand guidelines.
Collaborate with select Corporate Department teams to create thought leadership assets, digital and print advertising associated with sponsorships, and campaign materials.
Monitor market trends, competitor activities, and industry developments to inform content strategy and identify corporate opportunities for proactive media engagement.
Budgeting, Technology, & Reporting Strategically allocate practice and team marketing budgets to ensure the highest return on sponsorships, events, speaking engagements, and other business development initiatives.
Evaluate the performance and impact of marketing activities to continually direct resources toward the most effective opportunities.
Lead the development and management of annual budgets for designated Corporate Department teams, ensuring alignment with departmental marketing goals and priorities.
Lead the deployment and utilization of marketing technology applications (CRM/ERM, event management, proposal generation) within the Corporate Department.
Track and report on key performance indicators, including ROI for marketing and business development activities, budget performance, and progress against strategic objectives.
Provide regular updates to leadership on departmental marketing and business development activities.
Team Leadership & Collaboration Mentor, manage, and develop a high-performing team of business development and marketing professionals, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and innovation.
Elevate attorney business development skills through structured coaching, training, and educational programs.
Play a key role in the onboarding and integration of lateral partners and attorneys to the select teams within the Corporate Department, working closely with the Lateral Success Team to ensure a smooth transition and strong early engagement.
Collaborate with the Director of Business Development and other senior managers to ensure best practices and cross-team synergy.