Special Advisor, Client Development - Transactional

Baker Botts LLP; Dallas, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Baker Botts LLP in Dallas or Houston seeks a Special Advisor, Client Development – Transactional to lead strategic client growth across M&A, Corporate, Private Equity, Finance, and Project Finance. You will partner with relationship partners and practice leaders to craft tailored growth plans and to expand high-value opportunities.

This full-time, hybrid role requires 15+ years in business development or related leadership, a Bachelor's and preferably a JD/MBA, strong CRM and market intelligence

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in business development or related commercial leadership role.
• Bachelor’s degree required; JD and/or MBA desirable.
• Experience leveraging CRM platforms, deal databases, and market intelligence to inform growth strategies.

Responsibilities

• Serve as strategic growth partner to relationship partners and practice leaders, developing tailored growth plans for priority clients.
• Identify cross-selling opportunities and whitespace within existing relationships; coordinate engagement strategies.
• Lead creation of executive-level pitch materials, briefs, and client presentations that position the firm as a strategic advisor.

Skills

CRM platforms

Executive presence

Relationship building

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s degree

J.D.

MBA

Tools

CRM platforms

Deal databases

Market intelligence tools

Data analytics tools

Job description

Special Advisor, Client Development - Transactional

Job Category: Client Development - Client Development

Baker Botts is a leading international law firm recognized for its deep understanding of the industries it serves. With offices across major global markets, the firm delivers sophisticated legal services while cultivating a collaborative, inclusive culture where both attorneys and professional staff contribute to client success and organizational excellence.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Baker Botts is seeking a Special Advisor, Client Development – Transactional to join our Client Development team in our Dallas or Houston office. This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned business development leader with deep experience advising senior executives and partners on complex, high-value client pursuits to contribute meaningfully to accelerating revenue growth across the Firm’s highest-priority clients, sectors, and transactional practices, including M&A, Corporate, Private Equity, Finance, and Project Finance. In this role, you will work closely with relationship partners and practice leaders to enable and amplify partner-led business development through strategic collaboration, market intelligence, and differentiated client positioning.

As Special Advisor, this individual will serve as a trusted strategic partner to the Firm's leading relationship partners, helping them identify, pursue, and convert high-value business opportunities while transforming how Baker Botts positions its capabilities in the marketplace. The strongest candidates will bring a blend of three capabilities: sales instincts backed by a well-cultivated network; analytical rigor; and a strategic marketing sensibility to help map and execute a best-in-class client growth strategy.

This is a full-time, hybrid, exempt position reporting to the Chief Client Officer.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Primary Responsibilities

• Serve as a strategic growth partner to the Firm’s leading relationship partners and practice leaders, developing and executing tailored growth plans for priority clients and prospects.
• Identify cross-selling opportunities and whitespace within existing client relationships, coordinating executive-level engagement strategies to expand practice penetration.
• Lead the creation of executive-level pitch materials, opportunity briefs, and client presentations that position Baker Botts as a strategic business advisor rather than solely legal counsel.
• Establish disciplined pipeline management processes to track strategic opportunities from identification through engagement, providing visibility into pursuit progress and revenue impact.
• Leverage CRM platforms, deal databases, and market intelligence tools to identify high-probability opportunities and inform business development priorities.

New Client/Matter Acquisition

• Identify and qualify prospective clients aligned with the Firm's strategic priorities, focusing pursuit efforts on the highest-value opportunities.
• Cultivate and sustain relationships with business leaders, legal executives, bankers, private equity professionals, board members, and other key influencers who can open doors to new client relationships.
• Generate introductions and meetings for Firm lawyers, converting relationships into tangible business development opportunities.
• Develop and execute targeted pursuit strategies for priority prospects, tailoring outreach and positioning to each opportunity's dynamics.
• Advance opportunities from initial relationship through engagement, applying a consultative approach that builds trust and demonstrates the Firm's value.
• Maintain a well-cultivated personal network that serves as an ongoing source of introductions, market intelligence, and new business opportunities for the Firm.

Additional Responsibilities

• Coach partners and client teams on consultative selling techniques, executive storytelling, and value-based messaging for C-suite executives, boards, and private equity sponsors.
• Monitor market developments, investment activity, and competitive dynamics across key sectors, including technology, AI, energy, infrastructure, private equity, and capital markets, to identify emerging opportunities.
• Partner with Firm leadership on strategic planning initiatives, client investment decisions, and firmwide growth priorities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

Required

• Bachelor’s degree required; JD and/or MBA is desirable.
• 15+ years of experience in business development, professional services, investment banking, consulting, corporate development, or a related commercial leadership role.
• Extensive experience leveraging CRM platforms, deal databases, and market intelligence and data analytics tools to inform client targeting and growth strategies.
• Exceptional executive presence and the proven ability to build credibility with partners, C-suite executives, boards of directors, general counsel, and investors.
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential client and firm strategic information with sound judgment and discretion.

Preferred

• Experience within a law firm or other sophisticated professional services organization.
• Strong understanding of corporate transactions, M&A, private equity, finance, capital markets, and related industries.

SUCCESS IN THIS ROLE

A successful Special Advisor will quickly build credibility with the Firm’s leading relationship partners and become a trusted resource for shaping and advancing their highest-priority client pursuits. Within the first 6-12 months, success looks like a disciplined, visible pipeline of strategic opportunities across priority clients and sectors, partner adoption of more consultative, insight-driven pursuit materials, and measurable progress converting whitespace and cross-selling opportunities into new engagements.

HOW YOU'LL WORK

Work Model: Hybrid; based in the Dallas or Houston office with regular in-office presence expected to support partner and client engagement.

Schedule: Full-time, standard business hours, with flexibility to accommodate client meetings and travel as needed.

Physical Requirements: Routine office environment. Must be able to sit at a computer for extended periods. Occasional lifting of files and materials up to approximately 10 lbs.

Baker Botts L.L.P. is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.