Description

The Business Development Specialist, DC Office will support and develop the office's strategic objectives through the effective implementation of business development activities in the Washington, DC office, and to ensure these activities and objectives are aligned with the overall Firm strategy. Big Law firm experience is highly preferred, followed by professional services.  

The role is an integral part of the Firm's In-Market Client Development team, focusing on business development and client development activities that strengthen the Firm's profile in the market, overseeing the maintenance of business development and marketing collateral for the offices, business planning, monitoring progress against planned priorities, and developing and executing key sponsorships and client events

Main responsibilities:

Firm Profiling and Events:

• Work with the North America Business Development (NA BD) team, NA Clients team, industry and practice groups, events team, and others to develop, organize, coordinate and execute seminars, receptions, and special events taking place in the local market
• Create and manage critical dates and timelines concerning local events and sponsorships
• Draft and manage all internal and external communications for programs, liaise with the NA Communications team
• Oversee maintenance of the office's client mailing list

External Engagements:

• Evaluate key sponsorships and networking opportunities with professional organizations and associations in the local market
• Coordinate all deliverables associated with office-identified key sponsorships
• Leverage the Firm's involvement to strengthen client relationships, and create client and attorney connections across the organizations

Business Development:

• Support the Washington, DC office by working independently and with the NA BD team to identify new business opportunities
• Work with the industry and practice groups to develop cross-selling opportunities with key clients, and to implement strategies to capture those opportunities

Client Relationship Management:

• Work with the Clients team to support strategic client development projects, including the Firm's global client programs, and regional targeting initiatives
• Provide overall support for activities that focus on target clients in the local market, and integrate these where possible with North American programs
• Work with regional BD management to manage and support client teams
• Conduct client research, including research on the Firm-specific information such as billings, matters, and relevant timekeepers

Marketing Collateral:

• Is responsible for the development and maintenance of marketing collateral
• Update the Firm’s information and relevant capability statements concerning the office, including those appearing on the Firm’s external website; obtain and verify that information is readily available for use in Directory submissions, marketing materials, CVs, and proposals

Proposals:

• Work with the NA BD team and the Global Client Pursuits team, and provide input into the development of proposals, including collecting relevant content such as practice area descriptions and case lists

Brand Management:

• Ensure the Firm's brand and that of the office is maintained, and implement the various activities supporting the brand of the Firm and that of the office
• Create advertisements as required in support of the Firm-sponsored activities and purchase promotional items for use at client events

Budget Management:

• Develop business cases for budget requests based on business planning and is aware of the budget available from both Regional and Global sources
• Monitor annual budget expenditures for the office and seek funding from global and regional sources 
• Client Entertainment:
• Manage the allocation of tickets to the Firm's various sporting and sponsored events and other opportunities in the local market

Skills and experience:

• A bachelor's degree is required, preferably in marketing, communications, marketing, business, or a related field
• Strong experience in marketing, or another relevant field preferably in a professional services environment and with partners/senior executives
• Excellent written and spoken communication and presentation skills; able to lead high-level client calls and present to senior stakeholders and partners
• Self-motivated and independent, able to work with minimum supervision
• Well-developed and sophisticated organization, communication, and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to relate to and gain the confidence of people at all levels within an organization
• Able to build strong relationships and work in a collaborative environment
• Organized, detail-oriented with strong project management skills
• Able to work on multiple tasks with competing deadlines
• Proficient in using Outlook, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat, or similar
• High-level of discretion, diplomacy, and a commitment to maintaining the highest level of confidentiality
• High-level of energy and persistence, and understanding of the importance of delivering exceptional customer service to internal and external clients
• Familiar with the internet and web-based platforms
• Flexible to travel frequently to meetings and events and work long hours during peak training and meeting periods