Business Development Manager

Williams Parker; Sarasota (FL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Williams Parker in Sarasota, FL, is seeking an accomplished Business Development Manager to lead growth initiatives across the region. You will connect the firm’s strategic direction with attorney practices through market intelligence, client development, and relationship-building across Southwest Florida.

You will translate market insight into action, identify high-value opportunities, pursue cross-selling, and coordinate visibility initiatives with leadership.

Qualifications

• Seven to ten years of progressive experience in business development, client development, relationship management, marketing, or growth strategy in a professional services setting.
• Bachelor’s degree is required, preferably in business, marketing, communications, public relations, economics, or related field.
• Established regional connections with Sarasota and Southwest Florida’s business and civic community.
• Strong market insight and strategic judgment to translate intelligence into focused recommendations and action.
• Credibility and execution to work effectively with attorneys, firm leaders, clients, and community stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Translate strategy into growth initiatives, develop growth plans, and measure progress.
• Advance attorney business development priorities through focused relationship strategies and follow-through.
• Turn market insight into opportunity via market research and competitive analysis.
• Expand relationships and market presence with leaders across Sarasota and Southwest Florida.
• Support long-term growth priorities including visibility initiatives and pipeline tracking.

Skills

Regional connections

BD in professional services

Market insight

Credibility and execution

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

The Opportunity

Williams Parker is seeking an accomplished Business Development Manager to lead business development as a core component of the firm’s integrated marketing function. At a time of significant growth across Sarasota and Southwest Florida, this role will connect the firm’s strategic direction and the ambitions attorneys hold for their practices with the relationships, market intelligence, and opportunities emerging across a dynamic regional market.

The Business Development Manager will identify promising avenues for client and practice development, strengthen priority relationships, and bring focus and momentum to new-business pursuits. The ideal candidate will combine established regional connections with the strategic perspective, business acumen, and follow-through to turn market insight into action. Building on Williams Parker’s century-long record of sophisticated counsel, exceptional service, and community stewardship, this role will help deepen the firm’s connections across the region.

What You Will Do

• Translate strategy into growth initiatives. Work with firm leadership and attorneys to develop practice-growth plans, identify and prioritize client and market opportunities, and measure progress.
• Advance attorney business development priorities. Help attorneys pursue client expansion, cross-selling, referral development, and new business through focused relationship strategies and coordinated follow-through.
• Turn market insight into opportunity. Conduct market research and competitive analysis to identify prospective clients, referral sources, centers of influence, and emerging avenues for growth.
• Expand relationships and market presence. Build connections with business and civic leaders throughout Sarasota and Southwest Florida while identifying speaking, board, sponsorship, and community opportunities aligned with practice-development goals.
• Support long-term growth priorities. Apply market intelligence to lateral recruiting and succession planning, coordinate visibility initiatives with the Brand Manager, and track business development pipelines and results.

What You Will Bring

• Established regional connections. Strong relationships and market knowledge within Sarasota and Southwest Florida’s business and civic community.
• Professional-services business development experience. Seven to ten years of progressive experience in business development, client development, relationship management, marketing, or growth strategy, preferably within a law firm or professional services organization.
• Market insight and strategic judgment. Demonstrated ability to recognize high-value opportunities, understand client and practice needs, and translate market intelligence into focused recommendations and action.
• Credibility and execution. The professional presence, communication skills, discretion, organization, and follow-through to work effectively with attorneys, firm leaders, clients, and community stakeholders.
• Education. A bachelor’s degree is required, preferably in business, marketing, communications, public relations, economics, or a related field.

Why Williams Parker

• Meaningful work tied to firm growth. Help turn the firm’s strategic plan into initiatives that strengthen practices, deepen client relationships, and create new opportunities.
• A century of relationships on which to build. Work from a foundation of enduring connections with the families, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and civic institutions shaping the region.
• Sophisticated and varied opportunities. Support established practices serving clients with complex legal and business needs alongside colleagues who value exceptional service, sound judgment, and shared success.
• A competitive total rewards package. Williams Parker offers competitive compensation; comprehensive insurance benefits; employer contributions to its Employee Savings Plan and 401(k); paid time off; paid parental leave; wellness programs; and access to discounts and special offers through WP Perks at Work.