Business Development Manager

A prominent law firm in Chicago is on the hunt for a dynamic Business Development Manager to join their team. This full-time, hybrid role offers a competitive salary of $120,000–$160,000 and is perfect for a fast-paced, highly responsive professional who thrives under pressure, excels with tight deadlines, and confidently juggles last-minute priorities. The ideal candidate brings strong business development experience, preferably within a law firm or professional services environment, and is adept at partnering closely with attorneys and senior leadership to drive results. The role offers a comprehensive benefits package including Medical, Vision, Dental, FSA, Life Insurance, Disability Coverage, 401K, Commuter Benefits, and Pet Insurance.

Responsibilities of the Business Development Manager:

• Spearhead the creation and delivery of client pitches, proposals, RFP responses, and presentations, partnering with attorneys to produce strategic, polished, and deadline-driven materials
• Act as a trusted business development advisor to practice groups and attorneys, driving client strategy, identifying cross-selling opportunities, and strengthening key relationships
• Optimize and manage business development systems, including CRM platforms, experience databases, and relationship tracking tools, leveraging client and market insights to inform strategy and enhance engagement
• Deliver actionable market, industry, and competitor insights through research, providing recommendations that guide attorneys and firm leadership
• Design and execute high-impact business development events and programs, from webinars and trainings to networking receptions and industry conferences, with careful tracking of outcomes and ROI
• Collaborate across teams, consultants, and vendors to implement business development initiatives, training programs, and marketing strategies that advance firm objectives
• Lead budget planning and execution for business development activities while serving as the primary liaison for assigned practice groups or industry teams
• Embrace a flexible, results-driven approach, taking on additional responsibilities as needed to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Qualifications of the Business Development Manager:

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business administration, communications, or a related field.
• 8–10 years of progressive experience in business development or marketing, ideally within a law firm or professional services environment (legal, accounting, financial services).
• At least three years of experience in a managerial or leadership role.
• Proven expertise in business development strategy, pitch and proposal development, and attorney-facing client initiatives.
• Working knowledge of CRM platforms and strong proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Experienced in managing business plans, goals, and pipelines while thriving in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with a service-oriented mindset and the ability to work effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• High level of discretion and professionalism when handling confidential information.

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