Manager: Business Development

Mayer Brown; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 136,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Mayer Brown in Chicago or Washington, D.C. is seeking a Manager: Business Development to support Global Employment and Benefits and Global Mobility groups, driving growth across high-stakes litigation, regulatory, and transactional matters.

You will partner with lawyers and firm leadership to advance client development, strengthen market positioning, and execute cross-jurisdictional business plans. This fast‑paced, high‑visibility role is built for a motivated professional eager to deepen

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field.
• Six or more years of demonstrated success in a marketing, research, management, and/or communications-related field, either in professional services or corporate sectors.

Responsibilities

• Develops and supports annual marketing and business development plans.
• Collaborate with BD& Marketing leadership to develop annual budgets and objectives.
• Manage day-to-day responsibilities ensuring projects align with strategic efforts and client service.
• Support onboarding and integration of lateral lawyers.

Skills

Communication skills

Project management

Leadership experience

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Mayer Brown is an international law firm positioned to represent the world’s major corporations, funds, and financial institutions in their most important and complex transactions and disputes. We are recognized by our clients as strategic partners with deep commercial instincts and a commitment to creatively anticipating their needs and delivering excellence in everything we do.

We are a collegial, collaborative firm where highly motivated individuals with an unwavering commitment to excellence receive the opportunity, support, and development they need to grow, thrive, and realize their greatest potential all while supporting the Firm’s client service principles of excellence, strategic partnership, commercial instinct, integrated strengths, innovation, and collaboration across our international firm.

If you thrive in a collaborative environment that values exceptional client service, initiative, professionalism, responsiveness, and adaptability, we invite you to consider joining our Commercial department in our Chicago, or Washington, D.C. office as a Manager: Business Development.

The Business Development Manager will support our Global Employment and Benefits and Global Mobility groups, helping to drive growth across high-stakes litigation, regulatory, and transactional matters in some of the firm's most dynamic practice areas. Working closely with lawyers and firm leadership, this individual will contribute to client development efforts, strengthen market positioning, and help execute business plans that span jurisdictions and industries.

This role is built for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, intellectually stimulating environment and is looking for the kind of challenge and exposure that accelerates a career. This is an opportunity to step into a high-impact role at the heart of Mayer Brown's strategic growth engine. If you are a motivated business development professional eager to deepen your expertise, expand your strategic influence, and grow within a top-tier global law firm, we want to hear from you.

This is an opportunity to shape go-to-market initiatives and to partner with a team recognized for its practical judgment, creativity, and business acumen. You will play a pivotal role in translating technical subject matter into compelling market narratives, building profile through thought leadership and strategic campaigns, and positioning the practices as first-choice counsel for clients facing bet-the-company risks and evolving regulatory expectations.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions:

Business Plans & Infrastructure

• Develops and supports annual marketing and business development business plan development focused on priorities outlined by firm leaders and/or assigned teams, including thought leadership platforms, communications, and client outreach
• Collaborate with Business Development & Marketing department leadership and group leaders to develop annual budgets to support initiatives outlined in business plan(s) or as outlined by leadership, including specifying key strategic and tactical objectives and means to achieve annual goals
• Manage day-to-day responsibilities to ensure that assignments and projects are properly managed and in alignment with the firm’s overall strategic efforts, and that service to clients is exceptional
• Support the onboarding and integration of lateral lawyers

Business Development & Profile Raising Initiatives

• Develop and support the implementation of key BD initiatives, including priority client targeting and campaigns, client satisfaction, client seminars, roadshows, and networking events, as well as other initiatives to enhance business development efforts
• Engage in research and analysis and competitive intelligence-gathering
• Support the collection and maintenance of CRM-based contact and other data for marketing planning and for mailing lists
• Support in the collection and reporting of matter experience
• Partners with BD&M colleagues to facilitate the completion of directory submissions; regional surveys; league table/industry survey content; specific lawyer and practice awards and accolades; and other profile-raising initiatives on behalf of the industry group
• Support coordination of business development training for lawyers

Pitches & Proposals & Marketing Materials

• Manages responses to RFPs, and pitch, presentation, and other opportunities via the development of written proposal and presentation materials for the practice group and liaise with others when relevant
• Develop new marketing brochures and edit and refine existing ones; maintain practice descriptions in BD&M-shared systems
• Periodically review and consult with lawyers regarding their bios and practice descriptions to ensure that they are current

Local Office Support

• When relevant, provide support for seminars, sponsorships, and other events and initiatives pursued by the firm in the local office
• When relevant, support the onboarding and integration of lateral lawyers

Other

• Assist with the supervision and training of more junior team members
• Performs other duties as assigned or required to meet Firm goals and objectives

Qualifications, Experience and Personal Attributes

• Bachelor’s degree in related field
• Six or more years of demonstrated success in a marketing, research, management, and/or communications-related field, either in the professional services (e.g., law, accounting, or consulting) or in a comparable position(s) in the corporate, trade association, or academic sectors

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products

Performance Traits

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, able to communicate effectively and in a professional manner with all levels of the Firm and outside vendors
• Ability to work in a diverse team environment and effectively support the demanding needs of the Firm
• Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines with shifting priorities
• Must be a self-starter with a high level of initiative
• Strong customer service skills, able to anticipate needs and exercise independent judgment
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects
• Maintains confidentiality and exercises discretion
• Exercises solid strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
• Familiarity with accepted research techniques and databases typically used for competitive intelligence in a professional services company
• Demonstrated good judgment, a team-first orientation, meticulous and results driven.

Management Accountabilities

• Demonstrates leadership and supervisory experience including managing projects and workflows, effectively leveraging BD&M team support as needed
• Manages processes for direct reports in relation to performance appraisals, annual compensation, goal setting and performance counseling
• Leads by example, providing guidance, coaching, and mentorship to BD&M team members
• Operational budget analysis and recommendations
• Conducts analysis of staffing levels and participation in the recruitment process
• Able to determine and implement change processes to improve workflow efficienciesProcess- and service-oriented with strong leadership and project management skills
• Able to set priorities and delegate in an efficient manner
• Analysis of staffing levels and requests for assistance
• Operational budget analysis and recommendations

Physical Requirements

• May require occasional lifting of up to 20 lbs.
• May require travel to other offices as needed

The above is a general description of the essential duties associated with this position and does not represent an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all duties.

The Firm may modify and amend this job description at any time at its sole discretion. Nothing herein creates a contract of employment or otherwise modifies the at-will nature of employment.

We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, including medical/dental/vision/life/and AD&D insurance, 401(k) savings plan, back-up childcare and eldercare, generous paid time off (PTO), as well as opportunities for professional development and growth.

We are committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities and disabled veterans. To request an accommodation related to the application process or interview, please email [e-mail] . All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Mayer Brown works with select external search firms that have been vetted against our standards. Firms without a contract or agreement with Mayer Brown are not authorized to represent that they are working with the Firm, nor are they entitled to placement fees. Mayer Brown does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruiters. Submission of an unsolicited CV to Mayer Brown or any of its Partners or employees will not establish any right of priority for the submitting agency.

Posted Pay Range

The typical pay scale for this position is between USD $136,000.00/Yr. and USD $180,000.00/Yr., although the actual wage or salary could be lower or higher if the candidate's education, experience, skills and internal pay alignment are different from those specified.