Litigation BD Manager: Growth & Partnerships

Sullivan & Cromwell LLP; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 145,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Sullivan & Cromwell LLP in New York seeks a Manager – Business Development (Litigation) to collaborate with the Litigation Group and BD, Communications, Events and other teams to generate business and raise firm and lawyer profiles. You will manage multiple partner-facing projects with strong judgment, writing and analytical skills.

The role requires seven+ years of BD experience in a law firm or professional services environment, excellent writing and editing, and the ability to lead junior

Qualifications

• Seven+ years of business development experience in a law firm, financial institution or other professional services environment.
• Experience with business writing and presenting at the executive/partner level.

Responsibilities

• Work with partners on creating business development plans and executing business development initiatives to generate new business, manage existing and develop new client relationships, and increase visibility.
• Track referral sources and prospective client connections and support partners in maintaining communication with them.
• Guide partners in focusing their entrepreneurial activities on the highest value opportunities.
• Identify new business opportunities and strategic sponsorships tailored to business development goals.
• Conduct research on companies and industries, including litigation exposure and counsel.
• Lead the preparation of pitches, responses to RFPs and marketing materials that effectively communicate the Firm's relevant experience and strengths.
• Work with partners and BD colleagues to ensure timely updating of all marketing materials, including practice and individual biography collateral, with new matter descriptions, achievements and other relevant information.
• Oversee and assist with drafting of submissions for Chambers USA and other legal directories.
• Ensure consistent record-keeping of all BD activity and client outreach.
• Provide guidance and supervision to junior BD team members and assist in developing their skills.
• Coordinate with global BD teams to ensure consistent execution and information sharing.
• Collaborate with colleagues across Communications, Events, Competitive Intelligence and Creative Services to promote matter wins, awards and rankings.

Skills

BD experience

Litigation lifecycle knowledge

Independent worker

Mentoring juniors

Writing & editing

Pitch writing

CRM proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

JD or MBA a plus

Tools

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

SharePoint

CRM

Research platforms

Job description

Manager - Business Development (Litigation) Location New York Job Code 1360 # of openings 1

SUMMARY
The Manager – Business Development (Litigation), based in the Firm’s New York office, works proactively with partners in the Litigation Group and colleagues in Business Development, Communications, Events and other teams across the Firm to generate business and to expand Firm, practice and lawyer profiles. The role requires excellent judgment, strong writing and analytical skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple partner-facing projects in a high-performance environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Work with partners on creating business development plans and executing business development initiatives to generate new business, manage existing and develop new client relationships, and increase visibility.

• Track referral sources and prospective client connections and support partners in maintaining communication with them.
• Guide partners in focusing their entrepreneurial activities on the highest value opportunities.
• Identify new business opportunities and strategic sponsorships tailored to business development goals.
• Conduct research on companies and industries, including litigation exposure and counsel.
• Lead the preparation of pitches, responses to RFPs and marketing materials that effectively communicate the Firm's relevant experience and strengths.
• Work with partners and BD colleagues to ensure timely updating of all marketing materials, including practice and individual biography collateral, with new matter descriptions, achievements and other relevant information.
• Oversee and assist with drafting of submissions for Chambers USA and other legal directories.
• Ensure consistent record-keeping of all BD activity and client outreach.
• Provide guidance and supervision to junior BD team members and assist in developing their skills.
• Coordinate with global BD teams to ensure consistent execution and information sharing.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the following teams:
  o Communications: Identify and pursue key media, PR, awards and legal directory opportunities and ensure appropriate promotion of matter wins, awards and rankings and BD initiatives on Firm and external channels.
  o Events: Oversee the planning and execution of client and Firm events.
  o Competitive Intelligence: Leverage research that supports practice positioning and client development.
  o Creative Services: Produce polished materials that align with the Firm’s branding.

In addition, all employees must adhere to responsibilities related to maintaining Firm and client information. This includes complying with the Firm’s information security policies, protecting Firm assets from unauthorized access, disclosure, modification, destruction or interference, and reporting security events or potential events or other security risks to management.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Prior business development experience supporting litigation practices in a top-tier U.S. law firm.
• Strong understanding of the litigation lifecycle, terminology, courts and regulators.
• The ability to work independently and achieve goals with limited supervision and to be a strong team player who can work collaboratively with the global BD team.
• The ability to provide guidance to junior team members and contribute to their professional development.
• Excellent writing, editing, analytical, research and organizational skills, with a high level of attention to detail (a writing and editing test is required).
• The ability to prepare high-quality pitches, proposals, directory submissions and other partner- and client-facing materials.
• Basic proficiency in standard spreadsheet, database, word processing and presentation applications (e.g., Excel, Word, PowerPoint and SharePoint), CRM, experience management and research platforms, and the ability to learn new systems quickly.
• The ability to handle time-sensitive requests from multiple lawyers while generating quality work product in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a poised, professional manner that conveys confidence and excellent judgment when interacting with the Firm's most senior lawyers and staff.
• The ability to incorporate feedback to improve work and foster professional development.
• A commitment to the highest standards of excellence and professionalism that are the hallmarks of Sullivan & Cromwell's legal practice.

Education and Experience

• Seven+ years of business development experience in a law firm, financial institution or other professional services environment.
• Experience with business writing and presenting at the executive/partner level.

Bachelor's degree or equivalent required; JD, MBA or other applicable graduate degree is a plus.

Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Compensation
The base salary range offered for this role will be between $145,000 and $190,000. When determining a candidate’s compensation offer, elements unique to each person are taken into consideration including but not limited to skill set, experience level, performance, professional certifications, degrees and location, as well as the needs of the Firm.

The total compensation package for this position may include overtime pay, discretionary bonuses and other benefits. For a more comprehensive list of employee benefits, please visit Professional Staff I Careers | Sullivan & Cromwell LLP.

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