Business Development Specialist - Financial Transactions

About the role

This exempt position provides direct support in the execution of a wide variety of business development efforts and initiatives including pitch books, presentations, proposals, research, content administration, marketing communications, events and practice group coordination.

Responsibilities

• Pitch Books, Presentations and Proposals: Responsible for creation, tailoring, and production of pitch books, presentations and proposals and tracking relevant information in the firm’s pitch book and proposal databases.
• Capture revisions made to lawyer resumes, practice descriptions and experience records in the course of preparing a pitch book or proposal and apply any permanent updates to the business development documents and databases.
• Identify and recommend newly drafted content that should be culled from pitch books and proposals and added to the business development databases.
• Research Partner with the Business Development Manager and section leadership to identify the need for specific company, client, industry, competitor, and industry trends research using the firm’s research tools and internal databases to assist with business development efforts.
• Liaison with the department’s Competitive Intelligence Group on firm research projects.
• Content Administration Accountable for regular updates practice group overviews, deal and case charts, representative client lists, and other materials.
• Provide updates on lawyer resumes to the website team for periodic updates.
• Support the collection of experience from attorneys and practice groups for inclusion in the firm’s business development databases.
• Ensure experience submissions meet the firm’s style standards.
• Prepare submissions for key directory rankings, awards and league tables.
• Maintain and update practice group distribution and event lists in the firm’s customer relationship management (CRM) system.
• Update the firm’s CRM system to track new and developing business as directed by the BDMs.
• Marketing Communications Work with the Business Development Manager and marketing operations colleagues to leverage collected experience by distributing information through multiple communications channels, e.g., website, press releases, social media and directory submissions.
• Prepare and develop internal newsletters and assist Business Development Managers with external client communications.
• Proofread various marketing communication pieces.
• Events Assist Business Development Manager with various business development events and sponsorships by working with the firm’s Event Specialists on event logistics, invitation list creation and updating, invitation design, event material preparation, reminders, and follow-up communications.
• Responsible for assigned events including the strategy, subject matter, planning, execution and follow up plan.
• Updating firm’s CRM system to track post-event follow-up and return on investment.
• Practice Group Coordination Work directly with the Business Development Manager and relevant section chairs to coordinate annual business planning and goal development, formulate the overall strategy, and execute the tactical business development/marketing plans each year.
• Cook up all aspects of practice group and client team business development meetings.
• Prepare and circulate relevant pre/post meeting materials.
• Review and update periodic accounting reports, working with the Business Development Manager.

Qualifications

• Two or more years of work experience in professional services, marketing/business development or corporate communications is preferred.
• Strong computer proficiency is a must, with particular knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Experience with middle market corporations and/or private equity sector desired.
• Excellent communication skills, including listening, writing, proofreading and editing, and superior attention to detail.
• Strong work ethic and positive client service orientation.
• Enthusiasm and dedication to the development of a professional services business development career.
• Ability to learn new software such as InterAction and a variety of competitive and business intelligence tools is required.
• Must be able to handle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines.
• Must be poised and able to exhibit professional diplomacy amid high stress situations.
• Strong teamwork skills and ability to take ownership of numerous assigned tasks.
• Bachelor’s degree. Graduate degree a plus.