Business Development Analyst - Life Sciences

Wilson Sonsini; Palo Alto (CA); Hybrid; USD 82,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Wilson Sonsini is seeking a Business Development Analyst to join the firm’s BD & Marketing team supporting the Corporate Life Sciences practice. This hybrid role reports to the Senior Manager, BD– Life Sciences, driving client engagement, pipeline growth, and competitive positioning across life sciences.

You will manage campaigns, analyze clients and competitors, and craft pitches for partners and clients. The role requires 3+ years in BD/marketing, a business-focused degree, strong research

Qualifications

• 3+ years of professional experience in business development, marketing, or client relationship management, preferably within a law firm, professional services firm, or investment environment.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred; concentration in business, marketing, or a related field preferred.
• Comfort with, or eagerness to learn, key corporate business terminology (VC financing, M&A, IPOs, and similar concepts) required.
• Demonstrated research and analytical skills, with meticulous attention to detail and care taken to ensure work product is polished and accurate before sharing with the Senior Manager and attorneys.
• Willingness to leverage AI tools (e.g., Claude) to increase efficiency on tactical tasks, allowing greater focus on strategic BD initiatives
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; comfortable drafting attorney- and client-facing materials independently.
• Experience with CRM platforms (Salesforce), and legal industry research/tracking tools (e.g., PitchBook, Capital IQ, IPO Vital Signs) strongly preferred. Must be proficient in PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and database applications.
• High degree of discretion and professionalism; comfortable operating in a fast-paced, confidential, partner-facing environment. Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and stakeholders, prioritize independently, and meet deadlines under time pressure.
• Willingness to travel and support occasional evening/weekend commitments tied to conferences and client events.

Responsibilities

• Support the Senior Manager and Corporate Life Sciences attorneys to drive targeted client engagement and firm-wide business development initiatives across the life sciences sector that includes but not limited to cultivating relationships with target prospects, clients, and life sciences-focused VC and growth equity funds and banks.
• Serve as project manager for a variety of life sciences business development and marketing campaigns, coordinating timelines, deliverables, and stakeholders across offices and practice groups.
• Develop compelling materials for pitches, proposals, industry events, and client meetings.
• Research and analyze clients, competitors, and investors to deliver actionable market intelligence — including pipeline stage, financing history, key partnerships, and recent milestones.
• Track and enhance business development efforts through our CRM, maintaining pipeline accuracy and reporting on BD activity and ROI.
• Collaborate across practice groups to support cross-practice life sciences initiatives.
• Monitor life sciences industry news, financing, M&A, and regulatory developments relevant to current and prospective clients; flag actionable BD opportunities to the Senior Manager and relevant attorneys.
• Contribute to the team’s business development best practices.

Job description

Wilson Sonsini is the premier legal advisor to technology, life sciences, and other growth enterprises worldwide. We represent companies at every stage of development, from entrepreneurial start-ups to multibillion-dollar global corporations, as well as the venture firms, private equity firms, and investment banks that finance and advise them. The firm has approximately 1,100 attorneys in 17 offices: 13 in the U.S., two in China, and two in Europe. Our broad spectrum of practices and entrepreneurial spirit allow exceptional opportunities for professional achievement and career growth.

The firm is seeking a Business Development Analyst to join the firm’s Business Development & Marketing team in support of the Corporate Life Sciences practice. Reporting to the Senior Manager, Business Development– Life Sciences, this role supports targeted, firm-wide business development initiatives that advance client relationship development, pipeline growth, and competitive positioning across the life sciences sector. The ideal candidate combines strong research and analytical skills with the judgment, discretion, and polish required to work directly with partners on high-visibility client development efforts.

This position is available as a hybrid work schedule.

Responsibilities:

• Support the Senior Manager and Corporate Life Sciences attorneys to drive targeted client engagement and firm-wide business development initiatives across the life sciences sector that includes but not limited to cultivating relationships with target prospects, clients, and life sciences-focused VC and growth equity funds and banks.

• Serve as project manager for a variety of life sciences business development and marketing campaigns, coordinating timelines, deliverables, and stakeholders across offices and practice groups.

• Develop compelling materials for pitches, proposals, industry events, and client meetings.

• Research and analyze clients, competitors, and investors to deliver actionable market intelligence — including pipeline stage, financing history, key partnerships, and recent milestones.

• Track and enhance business development efforts through our CRM, maintaining pipeline accuracy and reporting on BD activity and ROI.

• Collaborate across practice groups to support cross-practice life sciences initiatives.

• Monitor life sciences industry news, financing, M&A, and regulatory developments relevant to current and prospective clients; flag actionable BD opportunities to the Senior Manager and relevant attorneys.

• Contribute to the team’s business development best practices.

Qualifications:

• 3+ years of professional experience in business development, marketing, or client relationship management, preferably within a law firm, professional services firm, or investment environment.

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; concentration in business, marketing, or a related field preferred.

• Comfort with, or eagerness to learn, key corporate business terminology (VC financing, M&A, IPOs, and similar concepts) required.

• Demonstrated research and analytical skills, with meticulous attention to detail and care taken to ensure work product is polished and accurate before sharing with the Senior Manager and attorneys.

• Willingness to leverage AI tools (e.g., Claude) to increase efficiency on tactical tasks, allowing greater focus on strategic BD initiatives

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; comfortable drafting attorney- and client-facing materials independently.

• Experience with CRM platforms (Salesforce), and legal industry research/tracking tools (e.g., PitchBook, Capital IQ, IPO Vital Signs) strongly preferred. Must be proficient in the use of PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and database applications.

• High degree of discretion and professionalism; comfortable operating in a fast-paced, confidential, partner-facing environment. Strong attention to detail.

• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and stakeholders, prioritize independently, and meet deadlines under time pressure.

• Willingness to travel and support occasional evening/weekend commitments tied to conferences and client events.

The primary location for this job posting is in Boston, but other locations may be listed. The actual base pay offered will depend upon a variety of factors, including but not limited to the selected candidate’s qualifications, years of relevant experience, level of education, professional certifications and licenses, and work location.

The anticipated pay range for this position is as follows:

Boston: $73,100 - $98,900 per year.New York, Palo Alto, San Francisco: $81,600 - $110,400 per year.

The compensation for this position may include a discretionary year-end merit bonus based on performance. We offer a highly competitive salary and benefits package.

Benefits information can be found here. Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).