Mayer Brown is an international law firm positioned to represent the world’s major corporations, funds, and financial institutions in their most important and complex transactions and disputes. We are recognized by our clients as strategic partners with deep commercial instincts and a commitment to creatively anticipating their needs and delivering excellence in everything we do.

We are a collegial, collaborative firm where highly motivated individuals with an unwavering commitment to excellence receive the opportunity, support, and development they need to grow, thrive, and realize their greatest potential all while supporting the Firm’s client service principles of excellence, strategic partnership, commercial instinct, integrated strengths, innovation, and collaboration across our international firm.

If you enjoy working with team members whose defining characteristics are exceptional client service, initiative, professionalism, responsiveness, and adaptability, you may be the person we are seeking to join our Commercial department in our Chicago office, as a Manager: Business Development.

The Manager: Business Development will support our Litigation practices, with a primary focus on our Antitrust and Competition practice, as well as other practices as required. In this role, you will help drive growth across high-stakes litigation and regulatory matters—ranging from regulatory investigations and enforcement actions to multi-district class actions and appellate proceedings. You will collaborate with lawyers who pair sophisticated advocacy with deep industry insight to deliver integrated strategies for leading financial institutions, manufacturers, and emerging market participants. This is an opportunity to shape go-to-market initiatives for practices that tackle multi-forum disputes, class actions, MDLs, and regulatory scrutiny, and to partner with a team recognized for its practical judgment, creativity, and business acumen. You will play a pivotal role in translating technical subject matter into compelling market narratives, building profile through thought leadership and strategic campaigns, and positioning the practices as first-choice counsel for clients facing bet-the-company risks and evolving regulatory expectations.

Essential Functions: 

• Business Plans & Infrastructure
  • Develops and supports annual marketing and business development business plan development focused on priorities outlined by firm leaders and/or assigned teams, including thought leadership platforms, communications, and client outreach
  • Collaborate with Business Development & Marketing department leadership and group leaders to develop annual budgets to support initiatives outlined in business plan(s) or as outlined by leadership, including specifying key strategic and tactical objectives and means to achieve annual goals
  • Manage day-to-day responsibilities to ensure that assignments and projects are properly managed and in alignment with the firm’s overall strategic efforts, and that service to clients is exceptional
  • Support the onboarding and integration of lateral lawyers

• Business Development & Profile Raising Initiatives
  • Develop and support the implementation of key BD initiatives, including priority client targeting and campaigns, client satisfaction, client seminars, roadshows, and networking events, as well as other initiatives to enhance business development efforts
  • Engage in research and analysis and competitive intelligence-gathering
  • Support the collection and maintenance of CRM-based contact and other data for marketing planning and for mailing lists
  • Support in the collection and reporting of matter experience
  • Partners with BD&M colleagues to facilitate the completion of directory submissions; regional surveys; league table/industry survey content; specific lawyer and practice awards and accolades; and other profile-raising initiatives on behalf of the industry group
  • Support coordination of business development training for lawyers

• Pitches & Proposals & Marketing Materials
  • Manages responses to RFPs, and pitch, presentation, and other opportunities via the development of written proposal and presentation materials for the practice group and liaise with others when relevant
  • Develop new marketing brochures and edit and refine existing ones; maintain practice descriptions in BD&M-shared systems
  • Periodically review and consult with lawyers regarding their bios and practice descriptions to ensure that they are current

• Local Office Support
  • When relevant, provide support for seminars, sponsorships, and other events and initiatives pursued by the firm in the local office
  • When relevant, support the onboarding and integration of lateral lawyers

• Other
  • Assist with the supervision and training of more junior team members
  • Performs other duties as assigned or required to meet Firm goals and objectives

Education/Training/Certifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in related field 
• Six or more years of demonstrated success in a marketing, research, management, and/or communications-related field, either in the professional services (e.g., law, accounting, or consulting) or in a comparable position(s) in the corporate, trade association, or academic sectors

Technical Skills: 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products

Performance Traits: 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, able to communicate effectively and in a professional manner with all levels of the Firm and outside vendors
• Ability to work in a diverse team environment and effectively support the demanding needs of the Firm
• Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines with shifting priorities
• Must be a self-starter with a high level of initiative
• Strong customer service skills, able to anticipate needs and exercise independent judgment
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects
• Maintains confidentiality and exercises discretion
• Exercises solid strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
• Familiarity with accepted research techniques and databases typically used for competitive intelligence in a professional services company
• Demonstrated good judgment, a team-first orientation, meticulous and results driven

Management Accountabilities:

• Demonstrates leadership and supervisory experience including managing projects and workflows, effectively leveraging BD&M team support as needed
• Manages processes for direct reports in relation to performance appraisals, annual compensation, goal setting and performance counseling
• Leads by example, providing guidance, coaching, and mentorship to BD&M team members
• Operational budget analysis and recommendations
• Conducts analysis of staffing levels and participation in the recruitment process
• Able to determine and implement change processes to improve workflow efficiencies
• Process- and service-oriented with strong leadership and project management skills
• Able to set priorities and delegate in an efficient manner
• Analysis of staffing levels and requests for assistance
• Operational budget analysis and recommendations

Physical Requirements:

• May require occasional lifting of up to 20 lbs.
• May require travel to other offices as needed

This description is not exhaustive, and the Firm may modify it at any time at its sole discretion; nothing herein creates an employment contract or alters the at-will nature of employment.

We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, including medical/dental/vision/life/and AD&D insurance, 401(k) savings plan, back-up childcare and eldercare, generous paid time off (PTO), as well as opportunities for professional development and growth.

We are committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities and disabled veterans. To request an accommodation related to the application process or interview, please email [email protected]. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Mayer Brown works with select external search firms that have been vetted against our standards. Firms without a contract or agreement with Mayer Brown are not authorized to represent that they are working with the Firm, nor are they entitled to placement fees. Mayer Brown does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruiters. Submission of an unsolicited CV to Mayer Brown or any of its Partners or employees will not establish any right of priority for the submitting agency.

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