Business Development Coordinator

Holland & Knight; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 39,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

401(k) with profit sharing

Paid holidays and time off

Professional development support

Job summary

Holland & Knight in Chicago is seeking a Business Development Coordinator to support marketing and business development initiatives across practice groups. You will own work streams, coordinate with attorneys, and contribute to strategies with increasing autonomy.

The role blends project management with industry knowledge, handling events, pitch materials, directory submissions, research, and maintaining collateral and databases. Strong communication and organizational skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with professionals at all levels.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to juggle multiple initiatives and deadlines.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work independently with sound judgment and manage time effectively.

Responsibilities

• Project Management: Support marketing and business development projects from planning through implementation, including planning, coordinating stakeholders and tracking milestones.
• Event Management: Coordinate practice-specific events, webinars, sponsorships, client dinners, and receptions, including logistics and post-event follow-up.
• Pitch & Proposal Development: Assist with developing customized pitch materials and RFP responses in collaboration with attorneys.
• Directory & Awards Submissions: Manage submissions for directories and rankings (Chambers, Legal 500, Law360) with timelines.
• Research & Analysis: Conduct basic industry and client research and synthesize findings into summaries for the team.
• Collateral & Content Maintenance: Update marketing collateral, bios, practice descriptions and website content.
• Attorney Engagement: Build relationships with attorneys and serve as a contact for BD needs.
• Communications: Draft and coordinate internal and external communications about practice achievements and events.
• Data Management: Maintain experience databases, mailing lists and deal tracking systems.

Skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Project management

Attention to detail

Microsoft Office

Industry knowledge

Discretion

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor's degree

3–5 years marketing/business development

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Foundation

Qorus Docs

AI tools (preferred)

Job description

We are a Firm where people truly believe in what they do and strive to achieve the highest standards of performance and success.

General Description:

The Business Development Coordinator is an early- to mid-level marketing and business development role responsible for supporting defined projects and initiatives for their assigned section, practice group and/or industry sector group. The Coordinator takes ownership of work streams, builds productive working relationships with attorneys, and contributes to the team's marketing and business development efforts with increasing autonomy. This role bridges execution and strategy, requiring both strong project management skills and a growing understanding of the business of law.

Key Responsibilities and Essential Job Functions:

• Project Management: Support marketing and business development projects from planning through implementation, including assisting with project plans, coordinating stakeholders, tracking milestones, and helping ensure timely completion.
• Event Management:Help coordinate and manage practice-specific events, webinars, sponsorships, client dinners, and receptions, including planning, logistics, vendor management, attendee communications, day-of execution, and post-event follow-up and reporting.
• Pitch & Proposal Development:Assist with developing and preparing customized pitch materials, presentations, and RFP responses in collaboration with attorneys and the Business Development team, ensuring materials are compelling, accurate, and tailored to the audience.
• Directory & Awards Management:Coordinate directory, award, and ranking submissions (e.g., Chambers, Legal 500, Law360, Business Journals) by working with attorneys and Managers to draft narratives, collect supporting information, and manage submission timelines.
• Research & Analysis:Conduct basic research on industries, prospective clients, firm experience, and competitors, collaborating with the firm's Competitive Intelligence Team as appropriate, synthesizing findings into actionable summaries and recommendations for the Business Development team.
• Collateral & Content Maintenance:Update and maintain the firm's practice development information, including marketing collateral, brochures, biographies, practice group descriptions, deal/case lists and website content, ensuring materials are current, accurate and consistent.
• Attorney Engagement:Build and maintain productive working relationships with attorneys in assigned practice areas, proactively gathering information, responding to requests and serving as a reliable point of contact for marketing and business development needs.
• Communications:Assist with drafting and coordinating internal and external communications, including press releases, social media posts, newsletters, and announcements related to practice achievements and events.
• Data Management:Maintain and update experience databases, mailing lists deal tracking systems and other data repositories to support business development efforts.
• Referral Tracking & Reporting:Manage the tracking and documentation of referrals, ensuring accurate records, timely follow-up and periodic reporting on outcomes.

Expected to maintain a regular and predictable work schedule and full attention to and engagement in work activities on behalf of the firm during business hours unless otherwise approved or required by applicable law. Special projects and duties as assigned.

Required Skills:

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally and build rapport with attorneys, clients and colleagues at all levels.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple concurrent initiatives, anticipate obstacles and drive projects to completion.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or Microsoft 365, including Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment and manage time effectively with moderate supervision.
• Ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced, service-oriented environment while balancing competing priorities and stakeholder demands.
• Growing knowledge of legal industry marketing practices, including directories, rankings and legal media.
• High level of professionalism, discretion and judgment when handling confidential information.
• Flexibility and adaptability in responding to shifting priorities and evolving business needs.
• Experience with Foundation, Qorus Docs and AI preferred Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, or Microsoft 365.

Required Qualifications & Education:

Bachelor's degree 3–5 years of relevant experience in marketing, business development, communications, or professional services; law firm experience preferred

Preferred Qualifications & Education:

Law firm experience preferred

Physical Requirements:

Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time. Moderate or advanced keyboard usage.

Pay range:

Illinois: $27.50 - $41.30 per hour

Benefits:

• comprehensive medical (PPO and HDHPs)
• dental and vision plans including coverage for domestic partners
• life and AD&D insurance
• short and long term disability insurance
• tax-advantaged accounts for health care expenses, including FSAs and HSAs
• FSAs for dependent care
• health advocacy services
• behavioral health and counseling resources for all family members
• 401(k)
• profit sharing
• backup dependent care
• senior care planning support
• resources for individuals with development disabilities and their caregivers
• paid holidays and other paid time off, including paid leave for new parents

Holland & Knight is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related conditions, transgender status, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status or any other factor prohibited by law.

Applicants who are interested in applying for a position and require an accommodation during the process should contact [e-mail].

Personal Information collected from applicants will be used for the purpose of processing the application throughout any recruitment or employment process, as well as inclusion in a personnel file. Categories of data collected may include name, address, phone numbers, email, Social Security Number, and signature. Holland & Knight may collect further information if you consent to a background check. This includes criminal background, employment, and certifications. Please visit Legal Information Portal for Holland & Knight LLP’s privacy policies.

Holland & Knight is proud of having built one of the largest, most respected law firms in the world today. Holland & Knight has been advising clients for more than 130 years and has approximately 2,200 lawyers across the U.S. and in five international offices. Holland & Knight services clients globally. Known for our extraordinary legal service to clients, our culture of excellence, and our commitment to the communities in which we work, we are a firm of people who truly believe in what we do. We invite you to experience what Holland & Knight has to offer. It takes more than lawyers to build a great law firm and, as a result, the firm employs more than 1,700 business professionals. Business professionals play a pivotal role in the firm by planning and implementing strategic initiatives to enhance the firm’s capabilities and drive growth. The firm employs business professionals in many different areas, including technology innovation, pricing, business development, finance, talent acquisition, marketing, information governance, cybersecurity, information technology, talent development, compliance, office administration, communications, and project management, just to name a few. Additionally, the firm employs many paralegals and practice assistants who directly support our lawyers and clients. Together, these roles form the infrastructure that allows our lawyers to focus on providing exceptional client service.