Business Development Manager

Hunter Hamilton; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Hunter Hamilton partners with a national law firm to recruit an experienced Business Development Manager. This high-visibility role works with attorneys, practice leaders, and leadership to design and execute strategic BD initiatives that drive revenue and client growth.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years in BD within professional services, demonstrates senior stakeholder collaboration, and leads complex RFPs and campaigns.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, communications, or related field.
• 8+ years in business development, marketing, or client development.
• Law firm experience, ideally Am Law 200.
• Experience partnering with attorneys and executives.
• Strong strategic planning and problem-solving.
• Proven BD strategy execution.
• Experience managing RFPs and pitches.
• Leadership with influence without authority.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Strong project management and multitasking.
• Self-motivated, independent, fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to travel 10–15%.
• Ability to work extra hours as needed.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary BD partner for assigned practice and industry groups.
• Advise leaders on BD strategy, growth opportunities, and market positioning.
• Develop and execute plans to increase revenue and strengthen client relationships.
• Partner with attorneys to develop key client initiatives and account strategies.
• Monitor performance, trends, and competitive developments.
• Lead the preparation of RFPs, proposals, and pitches.
• Collaborate with pricing and finance to evaluate opportunities.
• Lead or support BD programs and team meetings.
• Travel as needed.

Skills

Business development

Marketing strategy

Client development

Relationship building

Stakeholder management

Strategic planning

Leadership

Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business/marketing/communications or related field

Job description

We are partnering with a well-established national law firm seeking an experienced Business Development Manager to support key practice and industry groups. This is a highly visible role working closely with attorneys, practice leaders, executive leadership, and cross-functional teams to develop and execute strategic business development initiatives.

The ideal candidate will bring strong experience within a law firm or professional services environment and have a track record of building relationships with senior stakeholders, developing growth strategies, managing client initiatives, and leading complex business development efforts.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary business development partner for assigned practice and industry groups.
• Advise practice leaders and firm leadership on business development strategy, growth opportunities, and market positioning.
• Develop and execute strategic business development plans designed to increase revenue, strengthen client relationships, and identify new opportunities.
• Partner with attorneys and client relationship leaders to develop and manage key client initiatives and account strategies.
• Monitor practice group performance, attorney business development activity, market trends, and competitive developments.
• Establish business development campaigns, timelines, KPIs, and accountability measures to track execution and results.
• Lead the strategy and preparation of complex RFPs, proposals, and new business pitches.
• Collaborate with pricing and finance teams to help evaluate opportunities and support profitable growth.
• Develop market, client, industry, and competitive intelligence to identify trends and potential business opportunities.
• Lead or support practice group meetings, presentations, strategic planning sessions, and business development programs.
• Partner across marketing, finance, technology, pricing, project management, professional development, and other internal teams on firmwide initiatives.
• Support process improvement, practice management, client development, and profitability initiatives.
• May supervise, mentor, and develop Business Development Coordinators or other team members.
• Provide coaching, feedback, and professional development support to direct reports as applicable.
• Promote a collaborative, accountable, and inclusive team environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; business, marketing, communications, or a related field preferred.
• 8+ years of business development, marketing, client development, or related experience within a B2B professional services environment.
• Previous law firm experience strongly preferred, particularly within a large or Am Law 200 firm.
• Demonstrated experience partnering with attorneys, executives, or other senior-level stakeholders.
• Strong strategic planning, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
• Proven ability to develop and execute business development strategies and initiatives.
• Experience managing sophisticated RFPs, proposals, pitches, and client development efforts.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence others without direct authority.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Self-motivated, intellectually curious, and comfortable operating independently in a fast-paced professional environment.
• Ability to work additional hours when business needs require.
• Willingness to travel approximately 10–15%, including occasional overnight or weekend travel.