Business Development Manager

Michael Best is hiring a Business Development Manager to work in either the Chicago, Milwaukee, or Washington, D.C. office. The Business Development Manager is responsible for development and implementation of marketing, client, and business development initiatives and marketing strategies for the Intellectual Property practice group and its individual attorneys, as well as select firm industry teams. The individual in this role will help identify new business opportunities; plan programs, seminars, and other client development events; and work with practice groups and individual attorneys to create and carry out business development plans. This role reports to the Director of Business Development within the Marketing & Business Development function.

The following reflects management’s definition of essential functions for this job but does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

• Management may assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.
• Provide strategic guidance and proactive recommendations for the development, implementation, and ongoing preparation, review, and updating of marketing and business development plans, materials, and programs.
• Work with Practice and Industry Group Chairs and individual attorneys as the primary point of contact for initiating, directing, and providing marketing and business development support.
• Manage and develop proposals for attorneys, including gathering information about expertise and representative work.
• Undertake firm wide projects as assigned, according to ability and capacity. This will include acting as lead for specific industry groups, client teams, and cross-sell initiatives.
• Work with outside PR firms and attorneys to coordinate public relations activities to create media opportunities, provide proactive ideas to enhance the strategic market positioning and messaging of respective practice and industry including drafting local press releases, developing contacts with local media, and pitching articles to relevant publications.
• Help attorneys prepare for business development presentations including preparing reports such as company research, industry trend, competitive intelligence, and recommending appropriate collateral and any other relevant materials.
• Provide coordination, direction, and oversight for practice or industry-specific seminars and conference sponsorships.
• Develop and implement high-level partnering relationships with professional organizations, industry associations, and educational institutions to identify leadership positions, speaking and conference presentation opportunities and sources of referral for attorneys.
• Provide input into the development of firm marketing materials and provide relevant content for the firm’s intranet and internet websites.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Solid team player with excellent interpersonal skills, demonstrated ability to work successfully with attorneys, clients, staff, community, and vendors.
• Professional client service manner, responsiveness, flexibility, and adaptability. Demonstrated “client first” mentality.
• Strong ability to communicate effectively and persuasively (written and oral).
• Strong ability to work on complex projects with general direction and minimal guidance.
• Strong ability to organize and prioritize numerous tasks and complete them under aggressive time constraints.
• Detail-oriented, with excellent follow-through and project management skills.
• Work occasionally requires more than 40 hours per week to perform the essential duties of the position and will involve occasional travel to other offices and events.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• At least 4 years of marketing and/or business development experience, preferably in an IP law firm environment or in a professional services environment
• Bachelor’s degree required preferably in Marketing, Communications, or business related areas or equivalent on the job experience. 

Michael Best is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is steadfastly committed to providing and maintaining a workplace for employees and applicants for employment that is free from discrimination based upon age, race, religion, color, disability, marital status, sex(including pregnancy), national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, veteran or military status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.