Strategic Business Development Lead (Hybrid)

Cooley LLP; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 260,000 - 320,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Health Savings Account

Dental

Vision

Commuter benefits

Life insurance

AD&D

Long-term care coverage

Backup care for dependents

Parental support benefits

PTO 25 days

10 paid holidays

Job summary

Cooley LLP is hiring an Associate Director of Business Development to join the Marketing and Client Development team. The role focuses on building relationships, executing outreach strategies, and converting engagement into a healthy pipeline across priority clients and sectors.

With 8+ years in marketing or business development, you will partner with Marketing and firm leaders to drive opportunities, manage campaigns, and support growth in a hybrid work environment.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of applicable experience in marketing or business development.
• Market-facing presence with an leverageable network.
• Strong relationship-building and commercial instincts.
• Solid presentation and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain a robust client network and engage with market ecosystems.
• Coordinate with Marketing to plan outreach, events, and follow-ups.
• Generate introductions and access to high-value opportunities for firm partners.
• Ensure smooth relationship continuity and effective handoffs between internal teams.
• Identify growth opportunities and move early-stage conversations to a qualified pipeline.
• Analyze whitespace and cross-sell opportunities within client relationships.
• Maintain discipline and visibility into outreach, meetings, and pipeline activity.
• Contribute to a proactive, lead-generation rhythm in the market.

Skills

Relationship-building

Networking

Communication

Presentation skills

Strategic thinking

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

iManage

Salesforce (CRM)

Job description

Cooley LLP is hiring an Associate Director of Business Development to join the Marketing and Client Development team. The role focuses on building relationships, executing outreach strategies, and converting engagement into a healthy pipeline across priority clients and sectors.

With 8+ years in marketing or business development, you will partner with Marketing and firm leaders to drive opportunities, manage campaigns, and support growth in a hybrid work environment.