Manager, Business Development - Private Equity

McGuireWoods LLP; Dallas (TX); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

McGuireWoods LLP is seeking a Business Development Manager to lead BD efforts for Corporate & Private Equity practice and Private Equity Industry group, partnering with the BD Director and lead lawyers to craft clear strategies and client opportunities.

You will drive messaging, manage events, and collaborate across offices including Dallas to maximize revenue opportunities while supporting firms’ branding and market positioning.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in marketing and practice development in a law firm or professional services.
• Strong knowledge of corporate, private equity, or financial sectors.
• Experience creating and executing BD plans, budgets, and messaging.
• Event management experience in a professional services setting.
• Ability to mentor junior colleagues and lead teams.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with department chairs to develop BD plans, budgets, and content marketing strategies and drive client targeting.
• Lead BD elements for designated departments, positioning and executing RFPs, pitches, and client meetings.
• Spearhead collection of deals and matter descriptions in the experience system.
• Draft and lead BD plans for individuals, departments, and key clients, with cross-functional coordination.
• Coordinate with Director of BD on key client programs, reporting, and industry trend analysis.
• Oversee lateral integration, track relationships, and connect firm resources.
• Align budgets with goals and advise on budget development and management.

Skills

Marketing & BD experience

Law firm / professional services

Event management

Mentoring junior colleagues

Excellent written & verbal comms

Project management

Branding & messaging

Technology proficiency

DealCloud CRM

Harvey AI awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, business, or related field

Tools

DealCloud

Harvey AI

Job description

Overview

McGuireWoods LLP has an opening for a Business Development Manager. This person will work alongside the Business Development Director and lead lawyers to support the firm’s Corporate & Private Equity practice and Private Equity Industry group to develop and execute clear strategies and business plans utilizing a wide range of business development and marketing functions. The BDM serves as the primary point person to facilitate client opportunities with the lawyers, develop key messaging for better positioning in the market, and collaborate across departmental and geographic lines to identify leading revenue-generating opportunities. This position is available in our New York, Washington DC, Austin, and Dallas offices.

McGuireWoods, one of the world’s leading law firms, has provided legal solutions to corporate, individual and nonprofit clients since 1834. Along with excellent benefits, McGuireWoods offers most employees a hybrid remote option allowing flexibility and work-life balance. Our Applicant Disclosures describe your rights. Our Privacy Statement describes how we will process and safeguard your personal data.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with designated department/team chairs to develop business plans, budgets, content marketing strategies, and drive client targeting.
• Provide strategy for, and drive, BD elements for designated department/teams, including:
  • Take lead on opportunities to pursue new business and retain existing business. Work alongside the BDD and lead lawyers and colleagues to position and execute winning RFPs, pitch opportunities, and client meetings.
  • Spearhead and oversee collection of deals and matter descriptions in our experience management system.
  • Business Plans - Draft and lead implementation of BD plans and programs for individuals, departments, practice groups, and key clients.
  • Collaborate with the Director of Business Development on the key client program. Spearhead reporting, year over year financial comparisons, and monitor industry trends in order to generate and execute new business and cross-selling opportunities.
  • Lead lateral integration efforts in assigned practice areas. Review and analyze clients and relationships, develop business plan, track activity, and make connections across the firm.
  • Strategize with Director of Business Development, assigned chairs and Anchor Client Relationship Attorneys (CRAs) to align budgets with strategic goals and provide best practices with respect to budget development and management.
  • Drive submission content for key messaging and differentiators in Chambers, Legal 500, and other firmwide practice- or industry-specific rankings.
  • Identify instances where specific industry and client research would aid in practice development initiatives. Work with the competitive intelligence team to conduct such research, and guide support team members to provide a meaningful report.
  • Drive the strategy and purpose behind seminars, webinars, receptions, sponsorship and speaking engagements. Collaborate with other members of our MBD team to facilitate logistics, build messaging and draw the right attendees to each event.
  • Serve as a proficient user of the firm’s CRM system (DealCloud) in relation to department, team, and client goals.
  • Identify key messaging to include in client-facing materials. Work with our Communications team to repurpose these materials.
  • Identify opportunities to raise profile of designated service areas. Oversee support team members who maintain and update Intranet (Portal) content.
• Serve as a mentor to junior colleagues on all projects, foster collegiality among BD professionals, and work collaboratively across disciplines and geographies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in marketing, communications, business, or related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in marketing, business and practice development in a law firm or professional services environment is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of corporate, private equity, or financial sectors is strongly preferred.
• Business development-focused event management experience.
• Experience managing and mentoring junior colleagues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legal services into compelling marketing content.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and shifting priorities; makes decisions and adapts to changing work environments in-house and for our clients.
• Strategic thinker who understands branding and consistency of message.
• Technology-savvy; knowledge of relevant, existing software and ability to learn new programs.
• Experience with DealCloud (or another client relationship management software) is desired.
• Willingness and desire to work with innovative technology platforms - our employees also have access to Harvey, a legal-specific AI tool that reduces time spent on routine tasks, allowing you to focus on more meaningful, high-impact work.