Market Development Specialist

About the role

K&L Gates seeks a Market Development Specialist (also titled Business Development Specialist) to support marketing and business development initiatives for firmwide practice areas, industry groups, and offices in Pittsburgh, Miami, New York, or Newark. The role involves close interaction with lawyers, office and practice managers, and firm administration, executing projects from concept to delivery with limited oversight. The firm is a global law practice with over 40 offices, known for innovation, entrepreneurship, and an inclusive, socially conscious culture.

Responsibilities

• Assist practice groups and individual lawyers with development and implementation of marketing, business, and client development projects; provide general marketing support.
• Serve as primary point of contact for production and assembly of customized marketing packages and promotional materials.
• Create and deliver client‑focused proposals, qualifications, and presentation materials in response to RFPs and new‑business opportunities.
• Draft, edit, and proof marketing collateral, slide decks, letters, event invitations, and lawyer biographies.
• Liaise with lawyers and secretaries to build, maintain, and update practice group contact lists in the firm’s CRM database.
• Create and maintain experience lists for practice areas and lawyer activities.
• Prepare and deliver detailed competitive intelligence and marketing research reports using firmwide research tools and library resources; develop qualified prospect lists for marketing initiatives.
• Coordinate development of articles, newsletters, electronic news alerts, and other marketing communications.
• Coordinate practice/industry group/office special events, including mailing list management, collateral production, logistics planning, and on‑site support.
• Assist in planning process and provide support to all follow‑up business development activities.
• Assist in tracking information relating to business development activities in the firm’s proposal tracking system.
• Support office and practice public relations activities.
• Coordinate practice group membership/renewals in various trade and related organizations.
• Secure reprint permissions and stock for future marketing efforts.
• Serve as a member of K&L Gates’ firmwide marketing team; execute firmwide initiatives as assigned.
• Participate in special projects at the behest of the CMO.
• Work collaboratively with Business Development Coordinators and oversee assigned tasks.
• Undertake other projects as assigned.
• Participate in outside conferences and seminars; hold membership in trade associations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience required.
• Mobility within the office including movement from floor to floor.
• Ability to open file cabinets, lift files, bend, and stand on a stool may be required.

Skills

• Excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to write and produce compelling proposals, collateral, research reports, and client‑facing presentation materials.
• Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated service orientation.
• High level of maturity and confidence necessary to interact with sophisticated internal and external clients.
• Excellent computer skills with knowledge of Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Internet research tools essential.
• Knowledge of InterAction® CRM software, a plus.
• Demonstrated good judgment, decision‑making, and follow‑through capabilities.
• Persistence coupled with the ability to communicate effectively with individuals, orally and in writing, at all levels of the organization.
• Excellent project management, organizational, and planning skills with ability to prioritize multiple tasks and projects and meet deadlines.
• Outstanding attention to detail, flexibility, and creativity.
• Team player who is also self‑motivated and can work independently with minimum supervision.

Benefits

• Medical/Prescription Drug Coverage (including a Health Savings Account feature)
• Back‑up Child/Elder Care and access to a caregiving concierge
• Dental Insurance
• Wellness Program
• Vision Insurance
• Pre‑tax Commuting Benefits
• 401(k) Retirement Plan and Profit Sharing
• Business Travel Accident Insurance
• Short‑ and Long‑term Disability Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Life Insurance (including Basic, Supplemental, Spouse, Child, and Accidental Death and Dismemberment)
• Health Advocacy Services
• Paid Time Off (20 days/year through first 4 years of employment; 25 days/year after 5 years of employment)
• Identity Protection/Restoration and Fraud Insurance
• Parental Leave (18 weeks of which 6 are paid; short‑term disability may provide additional paid time off)
• Student loan refinancing options and access to a student loan concierge service
• Paid Holidays (12)
• Addiction Resources
• Family Building Benefits
• Breast Milk Delivery and Lactation Support Services
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Professional Development and CLE Credit Opportunities
• 529 Deductions
• Relocation Accident Insurance
• Employee Referral Program
• Critical Illness