Specialist, Business Development

Benesch Friedlander Coplan & Aronoff; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Benesch Friedlander Coplan & Aronoff is seeking a Specialist, Business Development to support the Firm’s Houston office and Texas-wide initiatives. You will partner with attorneys and stakeholders to execute strategic BD activities, gather market intelligence, and drive cross-office collaboration to grow Houston-based practices.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in marketing/law/business and at least 5 years of marketing BD experience, with energy sector or corporate law firm exposure

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in marketing, law or business (required).
• At least 5 years of marketing professional experience (required).
• Experience in marketing / business development in energy / oil and gas sector and/or corporate, projects and finance practices (preferred).
• Experience in a corporate law firm setting or relevant industry setting (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Identify and support strategic business development and marketing initiatives for the Houston office partners and practices.
• Gather intelligence on local legal industry trends and insights into the competitive landscape.
• Collaborate with practice leads in other offices to drive Houston BD initiatives and cross-selling opportunities.
• Manage sponsorships and partnerships for maximum ROI.
• Write pitches, RFPs and communications to clients and prospects.
• Conduct client, prospect and market research to support targeting and messaging.
• Coordinate submissions for legal directories, awards and rankings relevant to Texas practices.
• Collaborate with events team to plan client events, seminars and webinars.
• Support profile-raising efforts including website content updates.
• Work with marketing and communications on media relations and digital marketing initiatives.
• Build knowledge of Texas practice areas to support marketing strategies.
• Track Texas-based BD opportunities and follow-up with partners.

Job description

We have an opening for a Specialist, Business Development.

The Specialist, Business Development, supports the overall business development and marketing efforts of the Firm by helping to create and execute strategic activities related specifically to our Houston office and Texas more broadly.

In this capacity, the Specialist, Business Development will:

• Identify and support strategic business development and marketing initiatives for the Houston office partners and practices, building strong working relationships with attorneys and partnering with key stakeholders on execution;
• Gather intelligence on local legal industry trends and provide insights into the competitive landscape as well as explore opportunities;
• Work closely with practice-specific business development leads in other offices to drive Houston business development initiatives and strategies and to identify cross-selling opportunities;
• Manage sponsorships and partnerships, ensuring the firm maximizes benefits and return on investment;
• Write thoughtful pitches, RFPs and other communications to clients, prospective clients and related third-party organizations;
• Conduct client, prospect, and market research to support targeting, pitch preparation, presentations and strategic messaging;
• Draft and coordinate submissions for legal directories, awards nominations and rankings relevant to the firm’s Texas-based practices;
• Collaborate with the events team and attorneys to plan and execute client events, seminars and webinars. Maintain key contact mailing lists;
• Support profile-raising efforts, including writing and maintaining current content on Firm website;
• Work with the marketing and communications teams on media relations, editorial projects, design and digital marketing initiatives;
• Build comprehensive knowledge of Firm practice areas, particularly those in Texas, to effectively support marketing strategies;
• Support tracking of Texas-based business development opportunities, key pursuits, and follow-up activities in coordination with partners and department leadership; and
• Travel as needed to support initiatives and participate in activities.

Proficiencies

• Excellent verbal, business writing and communication skills, including attention to detail and proofreading;
• Solid understanding of the needs and expectations of law firm operations and corporate legal clients;
• Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to translate information into actionable business development insights;
• Knowledge of marketing principles, procedures, concepts and practical applications;
• Knowledge of technologies, developments, trends and literature related to legal and professional services’ marketing fields; familiarity with CRM systems and experience management databases preferred;
• Proficiency in MS Office suite;
• Fundamental knowledge of networking and relationship management;
• Strong organizational, project management and leadership skills; and
• Knowledge of legal concepts and law firm practice structures.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in marketing, law or business (required);
• At least 5 years of marketing professional experience (required);
• Experience in marketing / business development in the energy / oil and gas sector and/or corporate, projects and finance practices (preferred); and
• Experience in a corporate law firm setting or relevant industry setting (preferred).

Employees will be provided with an excellent career opportunity in a collaborative environment, in addition to a generous total compensation package with the opportunity to earn bonuses based on individual contribution and firm profitability.

The actual salary offered will depend on a variety of factors, including without limitation, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job. This role is exempt meaning it is not overtime pay eligible.

Eligible employees can participate in the Firm’s comprehensive benefits program, which include the following:

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life/AD&D, Long Term Care, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Account
Healthcare Concierge and Advocacy
Lifestyle Spending Account
Voluntary 401(k) Plan and Profit Sharing
10 Paid Holidays per year and a generous PTO Program
Family Support including Paid Parental Leave, Fertility Benefits, Breast Milk Shipping, Back-up Child Care, Elder Care, and Tutoring
Wellbeing programs (Employee Assistance Program, Relationship Support, Mental Health, Menopause and Midlife Health and Well-Being Events)
Retirement Plan Consulting
Anniversary Bonus Program
Professional Development Programs
Transportation and Commuter Benefits
International Travel Insurance
Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Accident Insurance
Auto/Home/Pet Insurance
Prepaid Legal Insurance
Employee Discounts
And More!

The Firm fosters an open and inclusive work environment that enables us to provide clients with the innovative thinking of teams rich in talent, experience and creativity. We regularly host programs intended to increase cultural competencies and address key topics related to community, opportunity and inclusion. Learn more about our Global Inclusion initiatives here: Global Inclusion

Paul Hastings is an equal opportunity employer. Pursuant to applicable local law, we will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the relevant fair chance ordinance.