Business Development Manager, Employment & Compensation

Baker McKenzie; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Baker McKenzie in Chicago seeks a Business Development Manager for Employment & Compensation to drive North America strategy, enhance client retention, and grow the E&C practice. You will lead the marketing collateral, support client teams, and shape the strategy for major events.

The role collaborates with Partners to advance business development, directories, and brand, while managing budgets and cross-group opportunities with strong leadership and project management skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree beneficial.
• Excellent experience in business development, marketing, or related field.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to lead, motivate and mentor direct reports.
• Ability to translate objectives into actionable strategies.
• Disciplined, organized, and detail-oriented with strong PM skills.

Responsibilities

• Set and drive NA E&C strategy to maximize client retention and growth.
• Oversee business development and marketing collateral for the Practice Group.
• Support client teams, oversee events, and manage budgets.
• Collaborate with Partners, Pitch Specialists and directories teams.
• Develop campaigns to strengthen the E&C reputation in key markets.
• Monitor progress against priorities and build key relationships.

Skills

Business development

Marketing

Communication skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Project management

Relationship building

Discretion & confidentiality

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree beneficial

Job description

The Business Development Manager, Employment & Compensation will be responsible for developing and driving North America strategy in order to maximize client retention and growth for the Employment & Compensation (E&C) Practice Group.

Ther role holder will also work closely with the Partners as an integral part of the Practice Group’s Business Development team, focusing on business development, overseeing the maintenance of business development and marketing collateral for the Practice Group, business planning, monitoring progress against planned priorities, supporting client teams, client relationship management, client care reviews, submissions for directories, improving the profile of the Practice Group and developing the strategy for major events.

Main responsibilities:

Firm Positioning and Events:

• Set the strategy for events undertaken by the NA E&C and monitor their execution, including Firm meetings, boardroom lunches and speaking engagements
• Develop and implement campaigns to strengthen the E&C Practice Group reputation in key markets (industry, client, offshore referrals etc.) as identified in the Practice Group business plan

Business Development:

• Support the Practice Group by working independently and with the North America BDMC team to identify new business opportunities
• Work with the industry and other practice groups to develop cross-selling opportunities, and implement strategies to capture those opportunities
• Collaborate with the Pitch Specialists, manage projects and draft proposals, responses to requests for tender and other business development opportunities requiring targeted written responses, which are driven by relationship partners in the Practice Group

Business Development and Marketing Collateral:

• Develop and maintain marketing collateral for the NA E&C Practice Group
• Work with the attorneys to collect deal/litigation information, update practice group information, relevant capability statements, CVs and any other relevant materials, including those appearing on the Firm’s external website

Business Planning:

• Work with the Chair and members of Practice Group to identify and contribute to the formulation of a strategy for the NA E&C which is aligned with North America strategy

Directories:

• Collaborate with the directories team, develop Firm responses to directories, including assisting with and overseeing building relationships with key publications and directories, such as Chambers and Legal 500

Profiling:

• Assess other profile-raising activities against the strategic objectives of the NA E&C and a cost/benefit analysis. This includes engaging in sponsorships and conference opportunities, memberships and associations and overseeing the publication of client alerts and newsletters

Brand Management:

• Ensure the Firm's brand and that of the E&C teams is maintained; oversee and ensure intranet content is up-to-date and relevant

Budget Management:

• Ensure all business development initiatives are effectively coordinated to extract maximum return on investment
• Develop business cases for budget requests based on business planning and be aware of the budgets for both North America and Global Business Development sources
• Other duties as assigned to develop and drive North America strategy

Skills and experience:

• Bachelor's degree is required, preferably in marketing, communications, business, or related field. Advanced degree beneficial, but not required
• Excellent experience in business development, marketing, or other relevant field preferably in legal or other professional services environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong ability to lead, motivate and mentor direct reports, inclusive of diligently addressing performance concerns and resolving conflict
• Ability to readily comprehend business objectives and correspondingly develop and execute appropriate strategies
• Highly disciplined approach to developing and executing the programs to achieve Practice Group and Business Development team objectives
• Well-developed and sophisticated organization, communication and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to relate to and gain the confidence of people at all levels within an organization
• Ability to build strong relationships and work in a collaborative environment
• Organized, detail-oriented individual with strong project management skills, and ability to work on multiple tasks with competing deadlines
• High level of discretion, diplomacy and a commitment to maintaining the highest level of confidentiality