Market Development Specialist

K&L Gates; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

K&L Gates is seeking a Market Development Specialist to join our Chicago office, supporting marketing and business development programs for practice groups and offices. The role requires initiative, strong communication, and the ability to work independently or with a team.

You will draft client-focused proposals, manage marketing materials, maintain CRM contact lists, coordinate events, and assist with market research and competitive intelligence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a client-service focus.
• Proficient in Word, PowerPoint and Excel; CRM experience a plus.

Responsibilities

• Assist practice groups and lawyers with marketing and client development projects.
• Produce customized marketing packages and promotional materials.
• Create and deliver client-focused proposals and responses to RFPs.
• Draft, edit and proof marketing collateral, slide decks and bios.
• Maintain practice group contact lists in the CRM database.
• Coordinate events and manage logistics and follow-up activities.
• Support research, competitive intelligence and firm-wide communications.

Skills

Communication skills

Project management

Independence & teamwork

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Word

PowerPoint

Excel

InterAction CRM

Job description

At K&L Gates, we are looking for smart, imaginative and hard-working people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and ideas to join us. Perhaps our search for talented visionaries and your search for important and impactful work lead to the same place.

Job Summary

We are seeking a Market Development Specialist to join the D.C., New York, Charlotte, or Chicago office. Candidates must be self-starters who possess the ability to work independently and as part of a team. Excellent communication skills and a commitment to providing the highest quality client service are strongly preferred. Working under the direction of a Business Development Manager or Director level, the Business Development Specialist (BDS) will support and execute marketing and business development programs and initiatives for firmwide practice areas, industry groups and/or offices. The BDS will have significant interaction with lawyers, office and practice managers and firm administration. Successful candidates will possess superior written and oral communications skills, project management abilities and will be able to implement strategic directives and coordinate marketing functions. The BDS will see projects through from concept to delivery, sometimes with limited or no oversight from a manager.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Business Development Managers, office and practice managers, firm administration and others Business Development team

Essential Duties

• Assist practice groups and individual lawyers with development and implementation of marketing, business and client development projects and provide general marketing support to practice groups.
• Serving as a primary point of contact for production and assembly of customized marketing packages and promotional materials.
• Creating and delivering client‑focused proposals, qualifications and presentation materials in response to RFPs and other opportunities for new business.
• Drafting, editing and proofing such materials as marketing collateral, slide decks, letters, event invitations, and lawyer biographies.
• Serving as liaison to lawyers and secretaries to build, maintain and regularly update practice group contact lists in the firm’s client relationship management (CRM) database.
• Creating and maintaining experience lists for practice areas and lawyer activities.
• Prepare and deliver detailed competitive intelligence and marketing research reports leveraging firmwide research tools and library resources. This may also include development of qualified prospect lists for certain marketing/client development initiatives.
• Coordinate the development of articles, newsletters, electronic news alerts and other marketing communications materials.
• Coordinate practice/industry group/office special events, including mailing list management, collateral production, logistics planning and on‑site support. Assist in planning process and provide support to all follow‑up business development activities.
• Assist in tracking information relating to business development activities in the firm’s proposal tracking system.
• Support office and practice public relations activities.
• Coordinate practice group membership/renewals in various trade and related organizations.
• Secure reprint permissions and stock for use in future marketing efforts.
• Serve as a member of K&L Gates’ firmwide marketing team. Execute firmwide initiatives as assigned. Participate in special projects at the behest of the CMO.
• Work collaboratively with Business Development Coordinators and oversee assigned tasks.
• Undertake other projects as assigned.
• Participation in outside conferences and seminars, hold a membership in trade associations.

Additional Duties

EXPERIENCE SKILLS REQUIRED

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience required
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to write and produce compelling proposals, collateral, research reports and client‑facing presentation materials.
• Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated service orientation.
• High level of maturity and confidence necessary to interact with sophisticated internal and external clients.
• Excellent computer skills with knowledge of Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Internet research tools essential. Knowledge of InterAction CRM software, a plus.
• Demonstrated good judgment, decision‑making and follow‑through capabilities. Persistence coupled with the ability to communicate effectively with individuals, orally and in writing, at all levels of the organization.
• Excellent project management, organizational and planning skills with ability to prioritize multiple tasks and projects and meet deadlines.
• Outstanding attention to detail, flexibility and creativity.
• Team player who is also self‑motivated and can work independently with minimum supervision.

Additional Abilities Required

• Mobility within the office including movement from floor to floor.
• Effectively manages and communicates confidential issues.
• This job operates in an office setting and is largely sedentary, requiring the routine use of a computer and other standard office equipment. The ability to open file cabinets, lift files, bend and stand on a stool may also be required.

Compensation

Salary $85,000 - $160,000

The compensation salary for this position will be determined during the interview process and will vary based on multiple factors, including but not limited to prior experience, relevant expertise, current business needs, and market factors.

About The Firm

K&L Gates is a fully integrated global law firm with lawyers located across five continents in more than 40 offices. We have experienced dramatic growth in the past decade and now rank among the largest U.S. based law firms in the world. We take pride in constantly striving for innovation, imagination and an entrepreneurial spirit. We come up with big ideas and then roll up our sleeves to get the job done, guiding our clients through their most complex issues in a variety of industry sectors and across multiple regions of the world. The industry recognition the firm has garnered emanates from the foundation of a global community aligned on behalf of our clients. The people at K&L Gates are committed to working together to create a legacy for each other, the firm, our clients, and the communities in which we serve. We thrive in an inclusive and socially conscious environment that embraces diversity and takes a holistic approach to the career evolution of all our professionals.

Notice: We participate in E-Verify in certain Firm locations for purposes of verifying employment eligibility. Please be advised that this position requires successful completion of a background check. In accordance with the Washington State Fair Chance Act, Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance, San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, the California Fair Chance Act, and applicable law qualified California and Washington State applicants with criminal history records will be considered. A criminal history will not categorically exclude a candidate from employment, and the Firm will consider relevant factors before making employment decisions based on criminal history information. It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The Firm is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the Firm that employment decisions shall be based on merit, qualifications and competence. Employment practices will not be influenced or affected by virtue of a person’s race (including traits associated with race, including hair texture and protective hairstyles such as afros, braids, locks, and twists), religion, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, gender, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, familial status, domestic violence victim status, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. This policy governs all aspects of employment including, without limitation, recruiting, hiring, compensation, benefits, promotion, assignment, and dismissal. In addition, it is the Firm’s policy to provide an environment that is free of prohibited harassment of any kind including, without limitation, that which is based on sex, race, age, disability, ethnic background, or any other category protected by law (including the categories listed above). The Firm complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please contact [e-mail].