Business Development Director

Ashurst Perkins Coie; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 178,080 - 320,660; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

401(k) plan

Health, dental, and vision insurance

PTO 20 days annually

Parental leave

Ten paid holidays

Job summary

Ashurst Perkins Coie is seeking a seasoned Business Development Director to drive revenue growth by leading market-facing initiatives, building client relationships, and cultivating opportunities across priority sectors. You will partner with lawyers and marketing, manage lead programs, and leverage CRM data to expand the firm's profile in the central region.

The role demands executive presence, strategic vision, and a track record in professional services.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years of success generating new revenue with C-suite executives.
• Portable relationships and contacts strongly preferred.
• Proven track record of creating opportunities through key business relationships.
• Experience in legal or other professional services preferred.

Responsibilities

• Identify, pursue, and prioritize high-potential opportunities with prospective clients and new matters for existing clients.
• Partner with lawyers and marketing to execute lead generation campaigns, events, and initiatives.
• Collaborate with marketing and competitive intelligence to uncover new business opportunities.
• Build and maintain relationships with decision-makers in priority market segments and industry sectors.
• Use CRM and market data to track opportunities and outcomes.
• Maintain regular attendance and contribute to firm objectives.

Skills

Executive presence

Relationship building

Strategic thinking

CRM proficiency

Industry/sector knowledge

Cross-functional collaboration

Written and verbal communication

Proficiency in MS Office

Lead generation

Self-starter mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Advanced degree (MS/MBA/JD or similar)

Tools

CRM platforms

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

General Purpose

The Business Development Director (BDD) drives new business opportunities for the firm through a proactive, market-facing approach. This role helps Ashurst Perkins Coie lawyers, individually and collectively, expand relationships with clients and targeted prospects through lead generation aligned with assigned practices and industry sectors. The BDD identifies qualified revenue opportunities and is accountable to defined sales performance metrics. This role focuses sales efforts on firm priority industry sectors.

Essential Functions

• Partner with lawyers and marketing colleagues to identify, prioritize, and pursue high-potential opportunities, including prospective clients, warm prospects, and new matters for existing clients, with a focus on assigned industry sectors.
• Support strategic efforts to elevate the firm’s profile and expand visibility across the central region through targeted business development and market-facing initiatives.
• Collaborate with practice and sector marketing business professionals to develop and execute lead generation programs, including campaigns, events, and related initiatives, and build on existing programs, including public chatter leads.
• Partner with marketing and competitive intelligence business professionals to conduct primary and secondary research and uncover new business opportunities.
• Use existing networks and build new connections to facilitate introductions between the firm’s key lawyers and select business, community, and industry leaders.
• Work with marketing department business professionals to increase visibility among decision-makers in priority market segments and industry sectors.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Maintain regular attendance during scheduled working hours and as needed in the position, consistent with the firm’s attendance expectations.

Specific Skills Required

• Executive presence, sound judgment, and the ability to build credibility and relationships with varied constituencies.
• Ability to influence action and achieve results in a collaborative, matrixed environment.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and understand current and future business and legal needs of clients and prospective clients.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including professionalism, tact, and discretion.
• Ability to quickly build knowledge of the firm’s capabilities, structure, and client base.
• Strong collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively without direct authority.
• Self-starter mindset, strong problem-solving ability, and a team-oriented approach.
• Excellent written, verbal, organizational, and technical skills.
• Proficiency in business applications, including Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Word.
• Experience using CRM platforms to record, maintain, update, and retrieve sales data.

Specific Skills Preferred

• Demonstrated knowledge of business development strategies and techniques in a professional services environment.
• Experience in the technology and/or financial services sectors preferred.

Education and Experience

• Minimum of 15 years of success generating new revenue by engaging existing and prospective clients, particularly C‑suite executives and, ideally, in‑house legal counsel.
• Portable relationships and contacts strongly preferred.
• Proven track record of assessing business development objectives accurately and creating opportunities through key business relationships.
• Experience in legal or other professional services preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent required; advanced degree, such as an MS, MA, MBA, JD, or other relevant graduate degree, strongly preferred.

Benefits and Compensation

At Ashurst Perkins Coie, we look for self‑motivated individuals dedicated to providing value and superior service and who have a high degree of integrity and enthusiasm for their work. We have created a company culture based on collaboration, devotion to serving our clients, and mutual respect. Ashurst Perkins Coie is committed to advancing diversity, inclusion, and opportunity both within the firm and throughout our collective communities. Work for a dynamic, growing organization with great benefits and growth opportunities.

This position is eligible for an annual discretionary bonus, 401(k) plan, medical, dental, and vision insurance, accrued paid time off plan starting at 20 days annually, personal medical and parental leave, up to ten paid holidays, and family care benefits. More information regarding benefits and programs may be found here.

Illinois compensation range: $178,080.00 to $320,660.00 annually.