Director of Business Development

Kohrman Jackson & Krantz LLP; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 140,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work options

Performance bonuses

Competitive compensation

Professional growth

Job summary

Kohrman Jackson & Krantz LLP in Cleveland, OH seeks a Director of Business Development to drive growth, deepen client relationships, and generate new matters and revenue.

You will lead strategic BD initiatives with firm leadership and attorneys, translate vision into actionable plans, and oversee prospecting, cross-selling, and market positioning.

A sophisticated sales mindset, legal services experience, and ability to collaborate with senior attorneys are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; JD strongly preferred for familiarity with legal services.
• 6+ years of B2B sales or business development with proven sourcing and closing experience.
• Experience selling legal services or sophisticated services to law firms or legal departments.
• Proven success developing and implementing revenue-generating strategies.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
• Ability to collaborate with senior attorneys and firm leadership.
• High degree of professionalism, strategic thinking, and analytical ability.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute firmwide and practice-level business development strategies aligned with firm goals and market trends.
• Personally source and pursue new business opportunities by identifying prospective clients, developing relationships with key decision-makers, opening doors for attorneys, and helping convert opportunities into new matters and revenue.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities, client segments, and markets.
• Collaborate with leadership to assess potential mergers, alliances, and lateral partner opportunities.
• Lead client targeting, cross-selling, and retention initiatives across key accounts.
• Partner with attorneys to develop tailored client presentations, proposals, and RFP responses.
• Partner directly with attorneys to identify target clients, develop new relationships, and create opportunities for new matters and expanded client work.
• Open doors and facilitate introductions with prospective clients, positioning the right attorneys and practice areas based on client needs.
• Work alongside attorneys throughout the business development process, from initial outreach and relationship building through pitches, proposals, and conversion of opportunities into new business.
• Support lateral attorneys in integrating their networks and identifying opportunities to expand relationships across the firm.
• Use CRM tools and market intelligence to track pipelines, measure success, and inform strategic decisions.
• Report regularly to firm leadership on business development metrics, client engagement, and revenue trends.

Skills

Strategic planning

Relationship building

Sales leadership

CRM analytics

Communication skills

Collaboration with attorneys

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree

JD strongly preferred

Tools

CRM software

Market intelligence

Job description

About Us

Join a dynamic, mid-sized entrepreneurial business law firm with a commitment to collaboration and client success. We foster a supportive environment for our team and value creativity, teamwork, and a commitment to excellence.

Position Overview

The Director of Business Development serves as a strategic leader responsible for driving the firm’s growth, deepening client relationships, and enhancing the firm’s competitive position in the legal marketplace. The central focus of this role is direct business generation. The Director will be expected to proactively identify and pursue prospective clients, open new relationships, and help generate new matters and revenue for the firm - not simply support the business development efforts of attorneys.

This individual will work closely with firm leadership, practice group chairs, and attorneys to translate the firm’s vision into actionable business strategies that deliver measurable results. The Director will oversee all aspects of business development, including prospecting, client targeting, cross‑selling, and market positioning, while fostering a culture of proactive client service and revenue generation. Acting as both strategist and hands‑on business developer, the Director will identify emerging opportunities, leverage data and market insights, cultivate prospective clients, and guide attorneys in building and sustaining high‑value client relationships.

The role requires a sophisticated understanding of the legal industry, a strong commercial and sales mindset, and the ability to balance strategic planning with hands‑on execution in a fast‑paced, entrepreneurial environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Planning & Growth

• Develop and execute firmwide and practice‑level business development strategies aligned with firm goals and market trends.
• Personally source and pursue new business opportunities by identifying prospective clients, developing relationships with key decision‑makers, opening doors for attorneys, and helping convert opportunities into new matters and revenue.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities, client segments, and markets.
• Collaborate with leadership to assess potential mergers, alliances, and lateral partner opportunities.

Client Relationship Management

• Lead client targeting, cross‑selling, and retention initiatives across key accounts.
• Partner with attorneys to develop tailored client presentations, proposals, and RFP responses.

Partnering with Attorneys

• Partner directly with attorneys to identify target clients, develop new relationships, and create opportunities for new matters and expanded client work.
• Help attorneys turn their industry knowledge, professional networks, and existing relationships into actionable business development opportunities.
• Open doors and facilitate introductions with prospective clients, positioning the right attorneys and practice areas based on client needs.
• Work alongside attorneys throughout the business development process, from initial outreach and relationship building through pitches, proposals, and conversion of opportunities into new business.
• Support lateral attorneys in integrating their networks and identifying opportunities to expand relationships across the firm.

Data, Analytics & Reporting

• Use CRM tools and market intelligence to track pipelines, measure success, and inform strategic decisions.
• Report regularly to firm leadership on business development metrics, client engagement, and revenue trends.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree required; JD strongly preferred, particularly for candidates who have practiced law or worked closely with law firms and understand how legal services are bought and sold.
• 6+ years of successful B2B sales or business development experience with a demonstrated track record of personally sourcing, developing, and closing new business. Experience selling legal services, technology, software, or other sophisticated services to law firms or legal departments is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success personally prospecting, developing relationships, selling services or solutions, and generating new business—not solely managing marketing or supporting others' business development efforts.
• Proven success developing and implementing revenue‑generating strategies.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with senior attorneys and firm leadership.
• High degree of professionalism, strategic thinking, and analytical ability.

KEY ATTRIBUTES

• Natural business developer and relationship‑driven salesperson who enjoys prospecting, networking, opening doors, and pursuing new opportunities.
• Strategic and entrepreneurial mindset.
• Relationship builder with strong client service orientation.
• Excellent judgment, discretion, and emotional intelligence.
• Ability to work under pressure.

WHAT WE OFFER

• A collaborative and entrepreneurial work environment where your expertise is valued.
• Opportunities for professional growth in a growing firm with a broad and diverse client base.
• Competitive compensation package, including performance bonuses and benefits.
• Flexible work options
• Supportive leadership and a team‑oriented culture that fosters innovation and creativity.

Why Join Us?

At KJK, you will be part of a collaborative team that values your expertise and offers opportunities for professional growth. As part of our team, you will play a key role in shaping the future of our firm while managing sophisticated transactions on behalf of a diverse client base.