Business Development Senior Specialist

Sidley Austin LLP; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus eligibility

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Sidley Austin LLP in Chicago seeks a Business Development Senior Specialist to support marketing, BD initiatives, and client development across practice groups. You will manage proposals, pitches, and campaigns, aligning communications and sponsorships with group goals.

You will collaborate with BD and Marketing teams nationwide to enhance client knowledge, develop materials, and drive cross-selling while maintaining process quality and budget oversight.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university.
• Minimum of five (5) years of professional marketing or business development experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Outlook.

Responsibilities

• Lead project management for RFPs and pitches for assigned groups.
• Develop and coordinate marketing and client development plans with group leaders.
• Maintain and improve marketing collateral, matter lists, databases, and contact lists for efficiency and consistency.
• Budget management and ROI analysis of practice/industry initiatives.
• Coordinate with Market Intelligence for industry, client, and competitive research.
• Plan and execute client programs and Sidley-sponsored events.

Skills

Strong organizational skills

Strong interpersonal communication

Strong analytical and problem-solving

Attention to detail

Good judgment

Ability to work under pressure

Ability to manage multiple projects

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

InterAction

Salesforce

Foundation

Job description

The Business Development Senior Specialist is a key team member within the Marketing Department. The Specialist serves as a liaison to assigned practice and/or industry groups. They work directly with BD and Marketing colleagues and partners in the groups (across various offices) to develop and execute clear strategies and business plans, and manage an aligned range of business development pursuits, marketing campaigns and communications, client events and sponsorships, and key account activity.

The Senior Specialist takes an active role in learning about the service offering, lawyers, and clients of the assigned groups and related practices. They help develop and lead initiatives to enhance the groups’ knowledge about our clients, their business needs, and relevant Sidley capabilities to foster cross-selling.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Proposals and Pitches

• Serves as lead project manager for RFPs and pitches, both for the assigned groups and others, as needed
• Spearheads briefing discussions to propose and/or understand the opportunity
• Writes new business proposals, conducts matter research, and produces targeted, tailored responses to RFIs/RFPs
• Supports follow-up, debriefs activities post-pitch, and reports results

Practice and Client Development

• Supports practice/industry team leadership and other partners on development and coordination of marketing and client development plans for the group and individual lawyers
• Attends and contributes to practice/industry group meetings and planning sessions
• Develops and refines the groups’ business development "infrastructure" (e.g., written collateral, experience database/matter lists, contact lists, opportunity tracking, etc.), exercising an acute level of quality control to ensure that all marketing collateral, communications, matter lists, and other materials are consistent, error‑free, and up to date; ensures processes are efficient and the best possible use is made of available technology and other resources
• Helps group leaders prepare and manage the group’s BD budget; tracks and analyzes practice/industry initiatives, evaluating the ROI of activities to recommend and plan future efforts
• Coordinates with the Market Intelligence team to conduct industry, client, and competitive research to support practice development initiatives
• Facilitates the planning, implementation, and follow-up of new business or cross‑marketing opportunities

Marketing and Profile‑raising Activities

• Leads the drafting and submission of rankings, awards, surveys, league tables, and other recognitions for assigned groups
• Works with Regional BD and Marketing team members to plan client programs and Sidley‑sponsored events
• Works with the Communications and PR team to identify thought leadership topics and Sidley lawyers to engage in media commentary, article publication, podcasts, etc.
• Recommends and facilitates the involvement of Firm lawyers in professional organizations that will enhance the visibility of the lawyers and the Firm in relevant practice/industry platforms

Education and/or Experience:

Required:

• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited university
• A minimum of five (5) years of professional marketing, business development, or other relevant experience
• Supports follow-up, debriefs activities post‑pitch, and reports results
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Outlook

Preferred:

• Marketing, business development, or related experience in a law firm or other professional services organization
• Working knowledge of customer relationship, pipeline, and experience management databases such as InterAction, Salesforce, and/or Foundation
• Familiarity with relevant company/market research tools, as well as law firm rankings, awards, and league table publications

Other Skills and Abilities:

• Strong organizational skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Good judgment
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Able to work harmoniously and effectively with others
• Able to preserve confidentiality and exercise discretion
• Able to work under pressure
• Able to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities

#LI-GK1

#LI-Hybrid

The target salary range for this role is:

$90,000 - $125,000 if located in NewYork, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles or Chicago

Salaries vary by location and are based on numerous factors, including, but not limited to, the relevant market, skills, experience, and education of the selected candidate. Our compensation package also includes bonus eligibility and a comprehensive benefits program. Benefits information can be found at Sidley.com/Benefits.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the Duties and Responsibilities above satisfactorily and meet the requirements. The requirements listed above are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. If you need such an accommodation, please email [e-mail] (current employees should contact Human Resources).

Sidley Austin LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer.