Business Development Manager

Franklin Fitch; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Franklin Fitch in Washington DC is seeking a Business Development Manager to join the firm's IP practice. You will partner with senior attorneys to identify growth opportunities, deepen client relationships, and strengthen the practice’s market position.

This high-visibility role requires turning strategy into client-facing storytelling, leading strategic pursuits, and shaping go-to-market initiatives with cross-functional teams to drive measurable growth.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of business development, marketing, or related experience in professional services.
• Experience partnering with senior professionals and influencing stakeholders.
• Strong strategic thinking with the ability to roll up your sleeves and execute.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, presentation, and project management skills.
• Ability to translate complex services into compelling client-focused messaging.

Responsibilities

• Build trusted relationships with IP practice leaders and attorneys, serving as a strategic BD partner and advisor.
• Develop and execute growth strategies, client plans, and go-to-market initiatives.
• Lead high-profile pitches, proposals, RFPs, and other strategic pursuits designed to win and expand client relationships.
• Identify opportunities through market, client, industry, and competitive intelligence and turn insights into actionable recommendations.
• Support the positioning and growth of the firm's IP capabilities across key industries, markets, and client segments.
• Manage strategic initiatives including legal directories, rankings, awards, conferences, sponsorships, and client events.
• Develop compelling client-facing materials, presentations, credentials, and other business development resources.
• Collaborate with attorneys and cross-functional teams to share insights, improve BD processes, and drive best practices.
• Help shape and execute initiatives that enhance the visibility and reputation of the IP practice.

Skills

Business development

Marketing

Client development

Strategic thinking

Relationship management

Tools

CRM

Microsoft Office

AI-enabled tools

Job description

Join the business development team of a leading enterprise law firm and work at the intersection of strategy, client relationships, and innovation.

As Business Development Manager supporting the firm's Intellectual Property (IP) practice, you’ll partner closely with senior attorneys and practice leaders to identify growth opportunities, deepen client relationships, and strengthen the practice’s position in a highly competitive market.

This is a high-visibility role for a commercially minded BD professional who enjoys operating as a strategic advisor—not simply an executor. You’ll have the opportunity to influence go-to-market strategy, support complex client pursuits, shape market-facing initiatives, and bring new ideas to a sophisticated IP practice.

What You'll Do

• Build trusted relationships with IP practice leaders and attorneys, serving as a strategic BD partner and advisor.
• Develop and execute practice growth strategies, client plans, and go-to-market initiatives.
• Lead high-profile pitches, proposals, RFPs, and other strategic pursuits designed to win and expand client relationships.
• Identify opportunities through market, client, industry, and competitive intelligence and turn insights into actionable recommendations.
• Support the positioning and growth of the firm's IP capabilities across key industries, markets, and client segments.
• Manage strategic initiatives including legal directories, rankings, awards, conferences, sponsorships, and client events.
• Develop compelling client-facing materials, presentations, credentials, and other business development resources.
• Collaborate with attorneys and cross-functional teams to share insights, improve BD processes, and drive best practices.
• Help shape and execute initiatives that enhance the visibility and reputation of the IP practice.

What You'll Bring

• 6+ years of business development, marketing, client development, or related experience, ideally within a law firm or professional services environment.
• Experience partnering with senior professionals and influencing stakeholders in a complex organization.
• Strong strategic thinking combined with the ability to roll up your sleeves and execute.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, presentation, and project management skills.
• Ability to understand complex services and translate them into compelling client-focused messaging.
• Strong commercial and analytical mindset, with the ability to turn market intelligence into growth opportunities.
• Experience managing complex pitches, proposals, and strategic BD initiatives.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Familiarity with CRM, experience management, Microsoft Office, and emerging AI-enabled productivity tools.

Preferred: Experience supporting an Intellectual Property, technology, life sciences, or other specialized legal practice.

Why This Role?

• Strategic seat at the table: Partner directly with senior IP attorneys and practice leadership.
• High-impact work: Influence growth initiatives, major client pursuits, and market strategy.
• Sophisticated practice: Work alongside professionals advising leading organizations on complex IP matters.
• Variety and visibility: Combine strategy, client development, research, pitches, events, and market positioning.
• Opportunity to innovate: Bring new ideas, tools, and approaches to how a leading enterprise law firm approaches business development.
• Career growth: Join a collaborative, high-performing BD organization with opportunities to expand your strategic and leadership experience.

The Ideal Candidate

You’re commercially curious, naturally collaborative, and comfortable working with senior stakeholders. You can move seamlessly between big-picture strategy and detailed execution, understand what makes clients choose one professional services firm over another, and know how to turn relationships and market insight into measurable growth.

If you’re looking for a BD role where you can make an impact on the growth of a sophisticated IP practice, this is an opportunity to do exactly that.