Business Development Senior Specialist

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

Job summary

Sidley Austin LLP is seeking a Business Development Senior Specialist to act as a liaison to assigned groups, developing strategies and business plans. You will manage a range of BD pursuits, campaigns, events, and client programs, while learning the firm's services, lawyers, and clients to foster cross-selling across practices.

You will lead RFPs and pitches, coordinate marketing collateral, track ROI, and collaborate with Market Intelligence to support strategy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree is required.
• Minimum of five (5) years of professional marketing, business development, or related experience.
• Preferred: marketing/business development experience in a law firm or professional services.
• Working knowledge of customer relationship, pipeline, and experience management databases (InterAction, Salesforce, Foundation).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Outlook.

Responsibilities

• Leads as lead project manager for RFPs and pitches for assigned groups and others.
• Supports development and coordination of marketing and client development plans.
• Manages BD budget and analyzes ROI of initiatives.
• Coordinates with Market Intelligence for research to support initiatives.
• Plans client programs, events, and cross-marketing opportunities.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Organization

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Outlook

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.

Sidley is an elite global law firm with a known reputation of deploying innovative strategies to achieve powerful results. Business professionals are essential to the firm’s ability to deliver the highest quality legal services to our clients. We are always looking for talented, motivated individuals who thrive in a performance-driven culture to join our team.

Sidley employs approximately 2,300 lawyers working with our clients in complex transactional, restructuring, crisis management, investigation, regulatory, and litigation matters. Our 160 years of perspective and reach are truly global, supported by 21 offices strategically situated in key commercial, regulatory, and financial centers across the world. Our lawyers and business professionals, fluent in more than 75 languages, possess the cultural awareness and cross-border legal acumen needed to bring clarity to a dynamic business landscape.