Business Development Director

Ashurst Perkins Coie US LLP; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 178,000 - 321,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual discretionary bonus

401(k) plan

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off 20 days annually

Parental leave

Ten paid holidays

Family care benefits

Job summary

Ashurst Perkins Coie seeks a Business Development Director in Illinois to drive new business for the firm by identifying opportunities aligned with assigned practices and industry sectors. The role focuses on revenue growth and market expansion.

You will partner with lawyers and marketing, develop lead generation programs, and expand relationships with senior executives and in-house counsel to raise firm visibility in priority markets. Strong collaboration and strategic thinking are essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years of success generating new revenue by engaging existing and prospective clients, including C-suite executives.
• Portable relationships strongly preferred.
• Proven track record of assessing business development objectives and creating opportunities through key relationships.
• Experience in legal or other professional services preferred.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent required; advanced degree strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Identify, prioritize, and pursue high-potential opportunities with lawyers and marketing.
• Lead market-facing initiatives to elevate the firm's profile in the central region.
• Collaborate on lead generation programs, campaigns, events, and related initiatives.
• Conduct primary and secondary research to uncover new opportunities.
• Use networks to facilitate introductions between lawyers and business/industry leaders.
• Increase visibility among decision-makers in priority market segments and industry sectors.
• Maintain regular attendance as required.

Skills

Executive presence

Influence & collaboration

Client needs assessment

Interpersonal skills

CRM experience

MS Office

Self-starter

Problem solving

Written/verbal communication

CRM platforms

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Advanced degree preferred (MS/MBA/JD)

Tools

CRM platforms

Microsoft Office

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.

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 .

This position may be filled in the following location(s). The listed compensation range reflects the typical pay for this role, though it is rare for new hires to receive an offer at the top of the range. Actual compensation may vary depending on experience, skills, market conditions, and internal equity.

Illinois compensation range: $ 178,080.00 to $ 320,660.00 annuall