Business Development Manager

Ballard Spahr LLP; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 145,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

Ballard Spahr LLP is seeking a dynamic Business Development Manager to support Litigation Department practices, including Antitrust, Securities Litigation, White Collar, and Government Affairs. The role partners with department leadership, attorneys, and marketing to drive growth, enhance client relationships, and uncover new market opportunities.

The position requires a bachelor’s degree and at least five years of professional services marketing experience, preferably in a law firm.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field; legal marketing experience preferred.
• At least five years of professional services marketing experience, with strong preference for legal marketing.
• Experience supporting Antitrust, Securities Litigation, White Collar, and Government Affairs practices.
• Strong written and verbal communication, editing, and project management abilities.

Responsibilities

• Identify relationships and build awareness of firm capabilities with relevant practice and industry organizations.
• Promote the firm’s services while aligning with clients’ objectives and targets.
• Maintain a rolling pipeline and forecast targets for attorneys.
• Partner with Practice Group Leaders to develop and implement strategic BD plans.
• Lead BD strategy for events, conferences, sponsorships, and related marketing activities.
• Provide guidance on positioning, messaging, and content for pitches and RFPs.
• Assist with budgets and ROI evaluation of BD and marketing expenditures.
• Provide BD coaching in group and one-on-one settings.
• Develop target lists and opportunities for new business.
• Market lawyers’ services in industry forums via thought leadership and profile-raising.
• Coordinate compilation and maintenance of relevant practice content and materials.
• Ensure marketing materials are catalogued and accessible.
• Some travel may be required.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Project management

Communication

CRM platforms

Client relationships

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

CRM platforms

Job description

Department: Marketing/Communications

About Us: Ballard Spahr is a nationally recognized law firm with more than 750 lawyers across 19 offices in the United States. A career at Ballard Spahr means joining a team of talented mentors, colleagues, and friends, supported by strong leadership that actively encourages professional growth. A great opportunity is available for a dynamic and accomplished business development professional to join Ballard Spahr as a Business Development Manager (BDM), supporting key Litigation Department practices, including Antitrust, Securities Litigation, White Collar, and Government Affairs. In this strategic role, the successful candidate will partner closely with Litigation Department leadership, practice group leaders, attorneys, Marketing leadership, and other marketing professionals to drive business growth, strengthen client relationships, and identify new market opportunities. The BDM will be responsible for developing and executing comprehensive business development strategies, enhancing the firm’s brand presence, and ensuring alignment with broader firm and departmental objectives. This position requires a professional who can exercise independent judgment, think strategically, build consensus among diverse stakeholders, and lead complex business development initiatives with confidence and diplomacy. The ideal candidate will be resilient, innovative, client-focused, and highly collaborative, with the ability to work effectively across teams while contributing to firm-wide and industry-focused marketing initiatives that support continued growth and success. This hybrid position offers a work schedule of 3 days a week in the office.

Why Join Us?

• Innovative Work Environment: Become part of a forward-thinking firm that enjoys substantial support and visibility from the firm’s executive leadership.
• Professional Development: Take advantage of continuous learning opportunities and avenues for career growth.
• Inclusion: Join a Business Resource Group and share cultural, experiential, or job-related interests, experiences, and/or backgrounds.
• Impactful Contributions: Play a pivotal role in developing industry-leading solutions that make a significant difference in legal practice and client service.

Your Role:

• Lead efforts to identify relationships and build awareness of firm capabilities with relevant practice and industry organizations.
• Promote the firm’s services while understanding, addressing, and aligning our efforts with targets and clients’ objectives.
• Maintain a rolling pipeline which tracks opportunities; forecasts targets and helps attorneys achieve goals.
• Partner with Practice Group Leaders to develop and implement strategic business development plans.
• In collaboration with the Client Events and Communications teams, lead the business development strategy for events, conferences, sponsorships, and related marketing activities.
• Provide strategic guidance on positioning, messaging, and content for pitches, proposals, and RFP responses.
• Assist with the development and management of practice group budgets, including evaluating the strategic value and return on investment of business development and marketing expenditures.
• Provide business development coaching in group and one-on-one settings.
• Develop target lists and opportunities for new business.
• Identify and lead efforts to market the services and expertise of the lawyers in relevant industry and practice forums through various thought leadership and profile-raising activities.
• Provide direction of the compilation and maintenance of relevant practice content and materials.
• Ensure the most relevant and useful marketing and business development materials are catalogued and accessible.
• Some travel may be required.

What We’re Looking For:

• Growth Mindset: Self-motivated with a passion for continuous learning and problem-solving.
• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication abilities.
• Detail-Oriented: Keen attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines independently.

Required Experience:

The ideal candidate will hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and possess at least five years of professional services marketing experience, with a strong preference for legal marketing and business development expertise. Experience supporting Antitrust, Securities Litigation, White Collar, and/or Government Affairs practice groups within an AmLaw 100 or similarly sized law firm is highly valued. The successful candidate will demonstrate exceptional written and verbal communication skills, strong editing capabilities, and outstanding project management, analytical, and interpersonal abilities. A high degree of technical proficiency, including experience with CRM platforms, is preferred. Candidates should exhibit strong business acumen, a client-centric approach, and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Success in this role requires a proactive, collaborative mindset, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to delivering exceptional client service. Regular and dependable attendance is essential, along with the flexibility to work beyond standard business hours as needed to meet business demands.

The targeted salary range for this position is from $145,000 – $165,000, which reflects the firm’s good faith and reasonable estimate of possible compensation at the time of posting. Actual pay will depend on several factors such as the candidate’s experience, qualifications, and location.

Ballard Spahr offers an excellent benefits package. A summary of available benefits can be found here in the Careers section of the firm’s website.

At Ballard Spahr, we believe that our skills, perspectives, and backgrounds drive innovation and excellence, while our unique culture fosters collaboration and success. Our culture of thriving together forms the cornerstone of how we deliver exceptional service and position our firm for a strong future.

We welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.

Ballard Spahr is an equal opportunity employer. We offer equal consideration to all qualified applicants, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, age, national origin, handicap or disability, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, transgender status, sex stereotyping, genetic information, ancestry, veteran status or any other category protected by applicable law.

The firm is not accepting resumes from search firms for this position.

Ballard Spahr LLP, an AmLaw 100 law firm with more than 750 lawyers in 19 U.S. offices, serves clients across industry sectors in litigation, transactions, and regulatory compliance. We partner with clients—from startups to Fortune 500 companies, governments, and nonprofit organizations—to deliver the strategic counsel, powerful advocacy, and dynamic thinking that helps them overcome challenges, protect what’s important, and position for future success. The firm combines a comprehensive scope of practice with strong regional market knowledge. And we are nationally recognized in the development and use of innovative technology to drive efficiency, transparency, and results.

Please visit www.ballardspahr.com.