Vice President, Mediation Practice Development

American Arbitration Association•Boston, MA

20d•$125,000 - $166,000

About The Position

The American Arbitration Association (AAA-ICDR) is seeking a dynamic, results-oriented Vice President, Mediation Practice Development to expand mediation business, strengthen strategic relationships, and drive market growth within an assigned region. The role is highly collaborative and externally focused, working with AAA-ICDR panel mediators to strengthen their market presence, expand professional networks, and identify opportunities to grow their mediation practices. The position also develops relationships with attorneys, law firms, corporate counsel, members of the judiciary, and other influential professionals to increase awareness and utilization of AAA-ICDR mediation services. The successful candidate will bring business development, consultative sales, strategic partnership, or professional services relationship-management experience, confidence engaging senior-level professionals, and the ability to turn relationships into business opportunities. Experience in mediation, alternative dispute resolution, or legal services is valued, while candidates with transferable business development experience and strong commercial instincts are also welcomed. The role includes regional and domestic travel approximately 30% for meetings, conferences, industry events, and other business activities. The listed annual pay ranges vary by location, from $125,000–$133,000 in Miami, Charlotte, and San Antonio to $157,000–$166,000 in New York and San Francisco.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in business administration, marketing, communications, legal studies, or a related field.
Seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in alternative dispute resolution, legal services, professional services business development, mediation, sales, strategic partnerships, relationship management, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining relationships with senior attorneys, mediators, members of the judiciary, corporate counsel, business executives, and other senior-level professionals.
Experience identifying market opportunities, developing business growth strategies, cultivating referral networks, or expanding client relationships.
Strong business development acumen and demonstrated success in consultative selling, relationship management, referral development, strategic partnerships, or professional services practice growth.
Ability to assess market opportunities, understand client and professional needs, and develop practical business expansion strategies.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to use market intelligence, business data, and performance metrics to guide decisions.
Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to establish credibility and trust with accomplished professionals and senior-level decision-makers.
Confidence engaging attorneys, mediators, retired judges, corporate counsel, business executives, and other influential stakeholders.
Excellent written and verbal communication, presentation, networking, and public-speaking skills.
Strong influencing, collaboration, stakeholder engagement, organizational, planning, and project management abilities.
Ability to manage multiple relationships, markets, projects, and competing priorities; proactive, self-directed, adaptable, and results-oriented.
Ability to collaborate across departments and develop effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive information.
Proficiency with CRM systems, Microsoft Office, collaboration platforms, and business analytics tools.
Ability and willingness to travel regionally and domestically approximately 30%.
JD or other advanced degree is not required.

Nice To Haves

JD or other advanced degree.
Ideally, 5–7 years of demonstrated experience in business development, consultative sales, strategic partnerships, account management, or professional services relationship management, with a record of developing business opportunities and long-term professional relationships.
Experience in professional services practice development, legal services, consulting, or another relationship-driven business environment.
Knowledge of mediation, arbitration, or alternative dispute resolution; this is preferred but not required for candidates with strong transferable experience and ability to learn a specialized industry.
An established professional network within legal, ADR, professional services, or business communities, or demonstrated ability to develop such a network.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute regional business development and practice growth strategies to increase awareness, visibility, and utilization of AAA-ICDR mediation services.
Identify and pursue new market opportunities, referral relationships, strategic partnerships, and initiatives that support business growth.
Build and maintain relationships with law firms, attorneys, corporate legal departments, mediators, and other key stakeholders.
Partner with regional business development teams to identify client needs, strengthen referral networks, and expand mediation opportunities.
Monitor market trends, competitive activity, emerging practice areas, and industry developments; use market intelligence to recommend strategies that strengthen AAA-ICDR's competitive position.
Build trusted relationships with AAA-ICDR panel mediators and serve as a strategic resource to strengthen their professional visibility and mediation practices.
Work with mediators to identify growth opportunities, enhance professional positioning, and develop relationships that support increased mediation utilization.
Identify and cultivate relationships with established mediators and mediation practices that may be candidates for affiliation with AAA-ICDR.
Coordinate with Panel Resources & Development and regional Vice Presidents to align mediator recruitment with market priorities, panel needs, and organizational objectives.
Gather market intelligence about prospective mediators, including reputation, practice strength, market presence, and strategic fit.
Support initiatives that enhance the value, marketability, and utilization of AAA-ICDR's mediator panel.
Collaborate with Marketing to elevate mediator profiles, strengthen professional positioning, and increase market awareness.
Identify opportunities for mediators to participate in speaking engagements, conferences, bar association and CLE programs, webinars, podcasts, and professional publications.
Support the development of thought leadership, digital content, professional biographies, and other resources highlighting mediator expertise.
Identify professional recognition, industry affiliation, directory, and other opportunities that enhance mediator visibility.
Represent AAA-ICDR at regional and national conferences, professional associations, industry forums, and networking events.
Collaborate with Marketing, Business Development, Panel Resources & Development, Operations, and regional leadership on coordinated practice development initiatives.
Work with the counterpart Vice President, Mediation Practice Development, to share market intelligence, exchange best practices, and support consistent national strategies.
Use CRM systems, market intelligence, and performance metrics to track business development activity, relationship engagement, mediator utilization, and program effectiveness.
Evaluate results, identify improvement areas, recommend adjustments, and maintain records of prospective mediator relationships, business opportunities, outreach, and strategic initiatives.
Maintain working knowledge of AAA-ICDR mediation services, rules, qualification standards, panel resources, and industry practices.
Maintain regular, reliable, and predictable attendance and participate in required meetings and training sessions.