Business Development Advisor – New Business (Finance)

Latham & Watkins; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

401k plan

11 paid holidays per year

PTO 23 days first year

Well-being programs

Professional development programs

Employee discounts

Affinity groups

Job summary

Latham & Watkins seeks a Business Development Advisor – New Business to drive high‑quality proposal documents, credentials statements, and RFP responses. You will manage timelines, lead core teams, and coordinate input from BD colleagues, lawyers, and firm resources to deliver compelling client materials.

You’ll tailor content for diverse audiences, ensure strict information governance, and support in‑person client presentations while maintaining strong win‑themes and messaging across pitches.

Qualifications

• Minimum of six (6) years managing and leading strategic initiatives with credentials, proposals, tenders, or other written sales tools.
• Eight (8) years of relevant work experience in legal, financial services, or professional services.
• Ability to articulate deal structures and key terms in pitch materials.

Responsibilities

• Develop credentials statements, pitch documents, and responses to RFPs.
• Lead kickoff meetings to establish messaging, milestones, and core team.
• Collaborate with BD teams, lawyers, and firm resources for responses.
• Prepare the response team for in-person client presentations.
• Protect confidential and proprietary information.

Skills

Structured finance

Project finance

Leveraged finance

Capital markets

Pitch management

Deadline-driven

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

Refinitiv

Bloomberg

Dealogic

Pitch management tools

Job description

About Latham & Watkins

Latham & Watkins is one of the world’s leading global law firms advising the businesses and institutions that drive the global economy. We are the market leaders in major financial and business centers around the world. Our investment in people, commitment to innovation, and focus on the future empower you to build an incredible career and thrive as an exceptional professional in a supportive culture. If you aspire to be the best, and work with the best, this is where you belong.

About The Role

The Business Development Advisor – New Business is an integral part of Latham’s Business Development (BD) team. This role will be responsible for working closely with Business Development teams and partners to develop and deliver high-quality proposal documents, establishing project timelines and protocols, developing win themes and client messaging, creating compelling written and visual content, preparing the response team for in-person client presentations, coordinating input from other subject matter expert BD colleagues, liaising with internal resources, and ensuring a high quality of client service, while drafting, editing, and finalizing external-facing business development materials such as credentials statements, pitch documents, and responses to RFPs. This role will be located in our New York or Chicago office. Please note that this role may be eligible for a flexible working schedule that allows for a hybrid and in-office presence.

Responsibilities & Qualifications

Other key responsibilities include:

• Conducting information gathering sessions with relevant BD teams and partners to clarify requirements, client needs, and approach
• Leading kick-off meetings to establish messaging, key milestones, and the core team
• Collaborating with BD teams, lawyers, and firm resources in gathering and compiling information for credentials statements, pitch documents, and responses to RFPs
• Analyzing pitch request documents to elicit compliance requirements, instructions, evaluation criteria, and undertaking other response management tasks
• Collaborating with other administrative functions within the firm, including the finance team, pricing team, compliance team, Inclusion, Opportunity & Community Committee (IOC), and the Office of General Counsel, to ensure alignment and sharing of relevant information
• Protecting and maintaining any highly sensitive, confidential, privileged, financial, and/or proprietary information that Latham & Watkins retains

We’d love to hear from you if you:

• Have familiarity with structured finance, project finance, leveraged finance, and capital markets transactions, including the ability to articulate deal structures and key terms in pitch materials, track market trends, and source and present deal credential data from providers such as Refinitiv, Bloomberg, or Dealogic
• Tailor pitch content for diverse audiences including financial institution clients, sponsors, borrowers, and development-stage companies
• Possess knowledge of pitch processes and the ability to utilize pitch management tools
• Demonstrate the ability to work autonomously and meet deadlines
• Exhibit the ability to work in a high-pressure environment and use critical and analytical thinking skills

And have:

• A high school diploma or an equivalent, preferably a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent,
• A minimum of six (6) years of relevant experience managing and leading strategic initiatives with a focus on developing and managing credentials, proposals, tenders, or other written sales tools, as well as developing successful BD strategies and winning proposals
• A minimum of eight (8) years of relevant work experience in a legal, financial services, or a professional services environment, or an organization operating in the assigned sector(s), where applicable

Benefits & Additional Information

Successful candidates will not only be provided with an outstanding career opportunity and welcoming environment, but will also be provided with a generous total compensation package with bonuses awarded in recognition of both individual and firm performance. Eligible employees can participate in Latham’s comprehensive benefit program which includes:

• Healthcare, life and disability insurance
• A generous 401k plan
• At least 11 paid holidays per year, and a PTO program that accrues 23 days during the first year of employment and grows with tenure
• Well-being programs (e.g. mental health services, mindfulness and resiliency, medical resources, well-being events, and more)
• Professional development programs
• Employee discounts
• Affinity groups, networks, and coalitions for lawyers and staff

Latham & Watkins is an equal opportunity employer. The Firm prohibits discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race (including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status (including veterans of the Vietnam era), gender expression, marital status, or any other characteristic or condition protected by applicable statute.

Pay Range

USD $120,000.00 - USD $155,000.00 /Yr.