Business Development Manager - Real Estate

Holland & Knight LLP; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Holland & Knight LLP is seeking a Business Development Manager – Real Estate to serve as the primary marketing and BD professional for assigned practice areas in the Dallas office. You will partner with practice leaders to develop, implement, and measure growth strategies, driving visibility and client engagement.

The role requires business acumen, leadership, and the ability to influence senior attorneys. Travel to West Coast offices may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 6–10 years of marketing or business development experience.
• Legal or professional services experience strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and track business development plans for assigned practice areas.
• Advise practice leaders on business development approaches and market positioning.
• Plan and participate in practice group meetings and drive action items.
• Develop and manage budgets for assigned areas; forecast and track ROI.
• Lead responses to RFPs, pitches, and proposals; coach on delivery.
• Identify cross-selling opportunities across firm practices.
• Direct market and competitive intelligence efforts to inform strategy.
• Oversee directory, ranking, and awards submissions.
• Oversee collateral, content, brochures, and website materials.
• Collaborate with PR team to promote firm achievements.
• Oversee CRM databases and engagement data.
• Plan events and client entertainment; coordinate with regional teams.
• Supervise Coordinators and Assistants; provide feedback and reviews.

Job description

We are a Firm where people truly believe in what they do and strive to achieve the highest standards of performance and success.

This position is based in our Dallas office.

General Description

The Business Development Manager – Real Estate serves as the primary marketing and business development professional for assigned practice areas within their Section. This manager is a strategic partner to practice leaders, developing, implementing, and measuring marketing and business development strategies that drive growth, visibility, and client engagement. The role requires business acumen, leadership skills, and the ability to influence senior attorneys. The manager may supervise and mentor junior team members and collaborates across the Marketing and Business Development Department to leverage firm-wide resources and share best practices. The position is based in the Dallas office and would require travel to the West Coast offices.

Key Responsibilities And Essential Job Functions

• Strategy Development: Develop, implement, and track comprehensive business development plans for assigned practice areas, including setting measurable objectives, defining target markets, and identifying high‑impact activities aligned with firm and section goals.
• Practice Leader Partnership: Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to practice leaders and senior attorneys, providing counsel on business development approaches, market positioning, client targeting, and competitive differentiation.
• Practice Group Engagement: Plan and actively participate in all assigned practice group and team meetings, including preparing agendas, presenting marketing and business development updates, and driving follow‑up on action items.
• Budget Management: Develop and manage budgets for assigned practice areas, including forecasting, resource allocation, expenditure tracking, and ROI analysis.
• Business Development Execution: Assess opportunities and lead the development of responses to RFPs, pitches, and proposals for significant new business opportunities; coach attorneys on presentation and pitch delivery.
• Cross‑Selling: Proactively identify opportunities to leverage practice group successes across other firm practices, offices, and teams; facilitate cross‑selling initiatives and introductions.
• Market & Competitive Intelligence: Direct research efforts for assigned practice areas, including market trends, industry developments, target company analysis, and competitive positioning; use insights to inform strategy and identify opportunities.
• Directory & Awards Oversight: Oversee the strategy and execution of directory, ranking, and awards submissions for assigned practices, ensuring comprehensive and competitive submissions.
• Collateral & Content Strategy: Oversee the development and maintenance of all marketing collateral, practice descriptions, brochures, deal/case lists, website content, and other materials for assigned practices, ensuring strategic alignment and quality.
• Public Relations & Visibility: Collaborate with the PR and Communications team to identify and develop opportunities to promote firm achievements, notable results, thought leadership, and attorney profiles for assigned practice areas.
• CRM & Database Oversight: Collaborate with designated professionals to maintain CRM and engagement databases for assigned practices, ensuring data supports business development tracking and relationship management.
• Event Strategy: Strategize, plan, and oversee practice‑specific events, sponsorships, seminars, webinars, and client entertainment, including collaboration with Regional Marketing teams for activities in other offices.
• Team Supervision: Supervise, develop, and mentor Coordinators and Assistants on the team, including assigning work, providing feedback, conducting performance reviews, and supporting professional growth.
• Special projects and duties as assigned.

Required Skills

• Strategic thinker with the ability to develop and execute business plans that drive measurable results.
• Strong business acumen with an understanding of how marketing activities connect to revenue and growth.
• Excellent communication skills, including active listening, clear and persuasive writing, and confident presentation and speaking abilities.
• Strong leadership and people management skills, including the ability to mentor, motivate, delegate, and develop team members.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship‑building skills, with the ability to establish trusted partnerships with senior attorneys and firm leadership.
• Ability to manage multiple strategic priorities in a fast‑paced, demanding environment.
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and judgment.
• Advanced presentation and negotiation skills.
• Creative and innovative mindset with the confidence to propose and champion new ideas.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or Microsoft 365.
• Knowledge of CRM systems, legal directories, and legal industry best practices.
• Experience with Foundation, Qorus Docs and AI preferred.

Required Qualifications & Education

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 6–10 years of experience in marketing, business development, or professional services; legal or professional services experience strongly preferred.

Benefits

Our goal is to promote a work environment in which individuals have access to the resources they need to be their best both professionally and personally, which includes resources that encourage individuals to focus on their health and well‑being. We offer comprehensive medical (PPO and HDHPs), dental and vision plans including coverage for domestic partners; life and AD&D insurance; short and long term disability insurance; tax‑advantaged accounts for health care expenses, including FSAs and HSAs; FSAs for dependent care; health advocacy services; behavioral health and counseling resources for all family members; 401(k); profit sharing; backup dependent care; senior care planning support; resources for individuals with development disabilities and their caregivers; and paid holidays and other paid time off, including paid leave for new parents.

Holland & Knight is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related conditions, transgender status, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status or any other factor prohibited by law.

Applicants who are interested in applying for a position and require an accommodation during the process should contact [e-mail].

Personal information collected from applicants will be used for the purpose of processing the application throughout any recruitment or employment process, as well as inclusion in a personnel file. Categories of data collected may include name, address, phone numbers, email, Social Security Number, and signature. Holland & Knight may collect further information if you consent to a background check. This includes criminal background, employment, and certifications. Please visit the Legal Information Portal for Holland & Knight LLP’s privacy policies.