Senior Specialist, Business Development- Financial Institutions

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, a leading global law firm, seeks a Senior Specialist in the Business Development Department to drive client development for the FIG, National Security, and Fintech/ Crypto practices. You will work with partners and lawyers on pitches, RFPs, sponsorships, and marketing materials, and manage databases and industry research.

The ideal candidate will have 4–7 years in BD/marketing in financial services or a law firm, superb communication, and strong project management,

Qualifications

• Marketing and business development experience in financial services, law, or related sectors.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills.
• Strong project development and management, with a solutions-oriented mindset.
• Extremely organized with strong PowerPoint and MS Office skills.
• Working knowledge of CRM/Experience Management Software and transaction platforms.
• Excellent research and analytical thinking abilities.
• Ability to prioritize and meet multiple deadlines while collaborating with teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage requests for complex pitches, RFPs, and capabilities presentations.
• Lead sponsorship tasks including invoice processing, contracts, and attendee lists.
• Coordinate events and digital marketing with practice group teams.
• Draft and submit content for legal directories and awards submissions.
• Maintain matter databases and ensure data quality for marketing use.
• Oversee practice mailing lists and update contact information regularly.

Skills

Marketing

Business development

Project management

Communication

PowerPoint

MS Office

CRM software

Analytical thinking

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA

JD or equivalent

Tools

InterAction

DealCloud

iManage

Bloomberg

PitchBook

Capital IQ

LSEG

DealPointData

Job description

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP (including its associated entities) is an elite global law firm with world-class practices across the board. Clients know they can rely on Davis Polk for their most challenging legal and business matters. From offices in the world’s key financial centers and political capitals, our more than 1,000 lawyers collaborate seamlessly to deliver exceptional service, sophisticated advice and creative, practical solutions. Visit davispolk.com.

Position Summary

The Business Development Department supports the firm across a broad spectrum of new business and client relationship-building activities, including the creation of new business proposals and firm marketing materials, client development initiatives, attorney profiling and market recognition, the upkeep of the databases that track firm experience and client intelligence, competitive and market analysis, as well as the coordination of industry sponsorships, events and speaking engagements.

The Senior Specialist will work closely with the Senior Manager and the rest of the FIG business development team to drive and develop the implementation of business and client development initiatives alongside partners and other lawyers in our Financial Institutions Group (FIG), National Security Practice, and Fintech and Crypto Industry.

The Senior Specialist will also assist with events, sponsorships, client pitches, RFPs, presentations and business development materials, legal rankings and awards submissions and other activities. The Senior Specialist will have an understanding of FIG, National Security, and/or Fintech and Crypto Industry, and will deepen this knowledge in the role. The ideal candidate will view this as a long-term position with opportunity for growth and progression.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Typical responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Manage requests for complex pitches, RFPs, and other capabilities presentations
• Handle and lead on sponsorship-related tasks including invoice processing, contract review, benefit allocation, research attendee lists, and project management internal attorney teams
• Lead and liaise with events and digital marketing teams on practice group event coordination (e.g., client dinners, roundtables, webinars, etc.)
• Lead on drafting and submission of content for legal directories, awards and related industry guides (e.g., Chambers, Legal 500, IFLR) and handle ongoing research, database updates with final submission, and project manage interview
• Manage print and digital marketing materials to ensure content reflects substantive strengths, accomplishments and current activities
• Maintain matter databases for precedent, marketing and business development purposes; oversee quality control of experience database to ensure all data inputted is accurate and continues to be a useful resource
• Oversee maintenance of practice mailing lists for targeted client and prospect mailings
• Oversee ongoing reviews of internal records to identify updates, refresh contact information, and routinely categorize newly added entities into appropriate industry lists
• Work cross-department to complete tasks with graphics, business intelligence, PR, Comms, accounting, finance, and cross-practice practice coverage teams
• Oversee group Weekly Update for attorney team including event-related industry research
• Optimize internal group processes and work with team to improve long-standing efforts
• Coordinate with business intelligence teams on research on existing / prospective clients and competitor activity, research on financial regulatory reform, financial markets, financial institutions and related industry trends
• Collaborate with attorneys and internal PR team on article placement, speaking opportunities, conference sponsorships, webinars, and other visibility initiatives

Qualifications/Position Requirements

• Marketing and business development experience in the financial institutions regulatory, national security regulatory, fintech and/or digital asset sectors
• Exceptional oral/written communication skills
• Exceptional project development and management skills and a creative, solutions-oriented mindset
• Extremely organized
• Strong PowerPoint and Microsoft Office skills
• Working knowledge of CRM/Experience Management Software (e.g., InterAction, DealCloud, Ikuna), document management systems (e.g., iManage), and transaction platforms (e.g., Bloomberg, PitchBook, Capital IQ, LSEG, DealPointData, etc.)
• Strong research and analytical thinking skills
• Ability to prioritize, organize and meet multiple projects deadlines at one time
• High sense of responsibility, accountability, and focus on responsiveness
• Ability to work collaboratively on a team
• Promote effective work practices, maintain a positive attitude and show professionalism and respect for business services colleagues and firm lawyers
• Possess a strong commitment to client service
• Must be outgoing, comfortable demonstrating initiative, and able to think critically and creatively

Education and/or Experience

• 4-7 years of experience in business development & marketing (financial services or law firm background preferred), research intelligence, or relevant corporate finance experience in a professional services role (e.g., law, banking, consulting)
• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in marketing, finance, or business (MBA, JD, or other advanced degree a plus)

Compensation

The expected base salary for this position ranges from $120,000-$140,000.

Salary offers are based on a wide range of factors including relevant skills, training, experience, education, and, where applicable, licensure or certifications obtained. Market and organizational factors are also considered. Davis Polk offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.