What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Director, Pitches & Proposals position at Buchanan Legal Professional Services?
A top international law firm is seeking an experienced Assistant Director, Pitches & Proposals to join its Business Development and Marketing team in the firm’s Chicago or NYC office. This leadership role is instrumental in managing the full life cycle of RFPs, high-stakes pitches, and business development initiatives. With a strong emphasis on strategy, team leadership, and quality control, this position will oversee the Proposal Center and collaborate directly with partners and firm leadership on critical pursuits. This is a hybrid role based in Chicago or NYC.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead strategy and execution for high-value RFPs, RFIs, and pitch materials in partnership with attorneys and business development professionals
- Oversee the Proposal Center team, including managing workflow, mentoring staff, and ensuring timely, high-quality output
- Provide strategic coaching to attorneys and staff on developing persuasive pitches, proposals, and finalist presentations
- Develop and maintain best practices, templates, and tools to streamline pursuit processes across the firm
- Serve as quality control for all written proposals, ensuring brand consistency and alignment with firm style guidelines
- Partner with internal stakeholders to analyze ROI, develop metrics, and report outcomes to firm leadership
- Regularly refresh proposal content and coordinate with subject matter experts to maintain current, compelling material
- Work cross-functionally with HR, marketing, and operations teams to support growth, collaboration, and visibility
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree required (Marketing, Business, Communications, or related field); advanced degree (MBA, JD, etc.) preferred
- 10 years of experience managing proposal and pitch strategy in a law firm or professional services environment
- Strong writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, with a sharp eye for detail and messaging
- Exceptional leadership and project management abilities; experience supervising a high-performing team
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and experience with proposal systems (e.g., Foundation) and online RFP portals
- Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data and turn it into actionable insights
- Professional presence and the ability to work effectively with all levels of stakeholders, including C-level executives
Salary : $190,000 - $220,000
