Director of Business Development, Corporate

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation; Palo Alto (CA); Hybrid; USD 208,000 - 282,000; Full time

Job summary

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati is seeking an experienced Director of Business Development to lead marketing and BD strategy for its global Corporate Department. The role reports to the Chief Business Development Officer and requires strategic partnership with practice leadership in a high-visibility environment.

The role is hybrid, ideally based in San Francisco, Palo Alto, or New York, with a base pay range disclosed and a discretionary year-end bonus.

Qualifications

• College degree preferred; JD, MBA or other relevant advanced degree strongly preferred.
• 10+ years marketing/client development experience required, with at least five of those years in BigLaw
• Skilled at quickly building trust and gaining the confidence of firm leaders and rainmakers
• Learned instincts to immediately understand the needs of attorneys and consistently strive to exceed their expectations
• Strong commercial sense to figure out how to facilitate and drive revenue generation and profile-building regardless of the context
• Keen ability to connect dots, draw conclusions, assess implications, make recommendations
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with a practiced ability to confidently lead meetings and present via video and in-person
• Fits seamlessly into a team that prizes collaboration, collegiality, hard work, and a good sense of humor
• Must be a self-starter who thrives on juggling numerous high-visibility projects all on tight deadlines
• Comfortable as a senior doer who will own their own projects where appropriate
• Ability to travel frequently, work extended hours as needed, and attend key events

Responsibilities

• Work closely with the chair of the Corporate Department and practice leaders on strategic initiatives
• Oversee marketing and business development planning for the department and its practices
• Drive tactics that raise visibility through events, sponsorships, PR, and social media
• Build relationships with organizations/vendors to maximize client development
• Develop go-to-market content and materials to drive new business
• Direct multiple direct reports responsible for strategy and execution at the practice level
• Provide business intelligence on markets, clients, prospects, competitors and individuals
• Lead the development and management of AI-driven solutions to improve efficiency and value
• Advise attorneys on marketing and business development opportunities
• Identify cross-practice and cross-region opportunities and develop plans
• Develop internal communications highlighting practice trends and deals
• Partner with Marketing and admin groups to execute key initiatives and cross-practice programs

Skills

Business development

Marketing strategy

Team leadership

BigLaw experience

Education

JD or MBA or equivalent

Job description

Wilson Sonsini is the premier legal advisor to technology, life sciences, and other growth enterprises worldwide. We represent companies at every stage of development, from entrepreneurial start-ups to multibillion-dollar global corporations, as well as the venture firms, private equity firms, and investment banks that finance and advise them. The firm has approximately 1,100 attorneys in 17 offices: 13 in the U.S., two in China, and two in Europe. Our broad spectrum of practices and entrepreneurial spirit allow exceptional opportunities for professional achievement and career growth.

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati’s Corporate Department seeks an experienced Director of Business Development to lead marketing and business development strategy and execution across all practices within the firm’s global Corporate Department. This is a high-profile, high-autonomy role reporting directly to the Chief Business Development Officer. The ideal candidate brings proven success building and managing business development teams in BigLaw environments, deep knowledge of corporate practices, and an ability to work as a strategic partner to department and practice group leadership. The successful candidate will combine commercial acumen with operational excellence and will thrive in a dynamic and entrepreneurial environment.

This role is available on a hybrid work schedule.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work closely with the chair of the Corporate Department and many of the department’s practice leaders and senior partners on an array of strategic and tactical initiatives
• Oversee marketing and business development planning for the department overall as well as its practices and areas of focus
• Drive tactics and programs that raise the department’s internal/external visibility through events, sponsorships, public relations, and social media
• Build and maintain relationships with appropriate organizations and vendors to maximize engagement and client development efforts
• Direct the development of go-to-market content and materials that help drive new business
• Oversee multiple direct reports who are responsible for leading marketing and business development strategy and tactical execution at the practice level
• Provide business intelligence on markets, clients, prospects, competitors and individuals to identify opportunities, highlight points of differentiation, and help attorneys prepare for key activities
• Lead the development and management of AI-driven solutions that help optimize the team’s efficiency, work product, and value
• Advise attorneys in all stages of marketing and business development, from vetting sponsorship opportunities to preparing attorney teams for major client development opportunities
• Identify cross-practice and cross-region opportunities and collaborate with attorneys and marketing colleagues to develop and drive marketing and business development plans to exploit those opportunities
• Develop regular internal communications highlighting the practice and key deals and trends in the marketplace
• Partner with all functional groups in the Marketing Department and other administrative groups to plan and execute the corporate practices’ key initiatives and cross-practice programs

EDUCATION/QUALIFICATIONS

• College degree preferred; JD, MBA or other relevant advanced degree strongly preferred
• 10+ years marketing/client development experience required, with at least five of those years in BigLaw
• Skilled at quickly building trust and gaining the confidence of firm leaders and rainmakers
• Learned instincts to immediately understand the needs of attorneys and consistently strive to exceed their expectations
• Strong commercial sense to figure out how to facilitate and drive revenue generation and profile-building regardless of the context
• Keen ability to connect dots, draw conclusions, assess implications, make recommendations
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with a practiced ability to confidently lead meetings and present via video and in-person
• Fits seamlessly into a team that prizes collaboration, collegiality, hard work, and a good sense of humor
• Must be a self-starter who thrives on juggling numerous high-visibility projects all on tight deadlines
• Comfortable as a senior doer who will own their own projects where appropriate
• Ability to travel frequently, work extended hours as needed, and attend key events

Position is ideally based in San Francisco, Palo Alto, or New York City. The primary location for this job posting is in Palo Alto, but other locations may be listed.

The actual base pay offered will depend upon a variety of factors, including but not limited to the selected candidate’s qualifications, years of relevant experience, level of education, professional certifications and licenses, and work location.

The anticipated pay range for this position is as follows: Palo Alto, New York, San Francisco: $208,250 - $281,750 per year.

The compensation for this position may include a discretionary year-end merit bonus based on performance.

We offer a highly competitive salary and benefits package. Benefits information can be found here.

Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).

careers.wsgr.com

Wilson Sonsini is the premier legal advisor to technology, life sciences, and growth enterprises worldwide, as well as the venture firms, private equity firms, and investment banks that finance them.

We represent more than 300 public enterprises and 3,000 private companies in a wide range of today’s cutting-edge industries, from AI and fintech to life sciences and mobility.

For more than 60 years, our attorneys and professional staff have created a unique working environment. With deep roots in the fast-paced and innovative world of Silicon Valley, the firm fosters an entrepreneurial spirit and team-oriented approach for all employees, providing professional and personal development opportunities and encouraging all departments to promote a stable and optimal work/life balance.

Wilson Sonsini is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce globally. We have built a culture in which employees of all backgrounds, viewpoints, and experiences are encouraged and empowered to achieve their maximum potential. Our firm is consistently recognized among the top law firms in annual diversity rankings. For example, Wilson Sonsini ranked No. 2 among firms with more than 601 attorneys in Law360’s 2025 Diversity Snapshot. Additionally, in 2025, for the seventh consecutive year, Wilson Sonsini achieved Mansfield Plus Certification, and in 2026, for the sixth consecutive year, the firm achieved a top score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index. We are also dedicated to enhancing the communities in which we live and work by providing legal services, financial support, and volunteer services to worthy agencies and individuals in need. In 2025, Wilson Sonsini attorneys and staff provided more than 80,500 pro bono hours, participated in 125 community service projects, and raised over $130,000 for charitable organizations and causes. In addition, the Wilson Sonsini Foundation contributed more than $2.35 million to 112 law-related organizations and 129 community organizations in 2025.

Wilson Sonsini has 17 offices in 16 technology and business hubs worldwide. Austin, TX Boston, MA Boulder, CO Brussels, Belgium Century City, CA Hong Kong London Los Angeles, CA New York, NY Palo Alto, CA Salt Lake City, UT San Diego, CA San Francisco, CA Seattle, WA Shanghai (China) Washington, D.C. Wilmington, DE