Business Development Manager

Employee Workplace; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Employee Workplace in Chicago or St. Louis is seeking an experienced Business Development Manager to partner with attorneys, practice leaders, and cross-functional teams to craft and execute strategic growth initiatives within a national law firm environment.

The role emphasizes building senior-level relationships, leading complex BD programs, managing RFPs, and driving revenue through client initiatives while mentoring coordinators and aligning with pricing, finance, and marketing partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or related field.
• 8+ years in B2B business development, marketing, or client development.
• Previous law firm or Am Law 200 experience preferred.
• Proven ability to develop and execute BD strategies and initiatives.
• Experience managing RFPs, proposals, pitches, and client development efforts.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary business development partner for assigned practice and industry groups.
• Advise practice leaders and firm leadership on BD strategy, growth opportunities, and market positioning.
• Develop and execute BD 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 BD activity, market trends, and competitive developments.
• Establish business development campaigns, timelines, KPIs, and accountability measures to track results.
• Lead the strategy and preparation of complex RFPs, proposals, and new business pitches.
• Collaborate with pricing and finance teams to evaluate opportunities and support growth.
• Develop market, client, industry, and competitive intelligence to identify trends and opportunities.
• Lead or support practice group meetings, strategic planning sessions, and BD programs.
• Partner across marketing, finance, technology, pricing, project management, and other internal teams on firmwide initiatives.
• Support process improvement, practice management, client development, and profitability initiatives.
• May supervise and mentor BD Coordinators or team members.
• Provide coaching and professional development support to direct reports.

Skills

Business development

Marketing

Client development

Strategic planning

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Presentation skills

Interpersonal skills

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Location: Chicago, IL or St. Louis, MO

Travel: Approximately 10–15%

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.