Business Development Manager, Labor & Employment, Litigation

Ballard Spahr is a nationally recognized law firm with more than 750 lawyers across 19 offices in the United States. A career at Ballard Spahr means joining a team of talented mentors, colleagues, and friends, supported by strong leadership that actively encourages professional growth.

A great opportunity is currently available for a dynamic and successful business development professional to join the Ballard Spahr team as the Business Development Manager (BDM) supporting various practices in the Litigation Department. The successful candidate will be an important part of our Marketing team and will be required to work closely with Litigation Department leadership, practice group leaders, Marketing department leadership, attorneys, and other marketing team members to support the Litigation practices in developing new business and deepening existing client relationships. The ideal candidate will demonstrate independent judgment, strategic and diplomatic thinking, and the ability to lead business development efforts while building consensus. The position will also work collaboratively with marketing colleagues on relevant firm-wide and industry-focused projects.

The BDM is responsible for developing and implementing business development plans, as well as identifying opportunities for current and potential clients. In addition, the BDM will be integral in building brand awareness for the firm, aligning those efforts with broader firm and department goals. Successful team members must be resilient, focused, creative, and demonstrate a collaborative and consultative working style.

This hybrid position offers a work schedule of 3 days a week in Philadelphia, DC, New York, Seattle, Portland, Phoenix, Denver, and Baltimore offices.

Why Join Us?

• Innovative Work Environment: Become part of a forward-thinking firm that enjoys substantial support and visibility from the firm's executive leadership.
• Professional Development: Take advantage of continuous learning opportunities and avenues for career growth.
• Inclusion: Join a Business Resource Group and share cultural, experiential, or job-related interests, experiences, and/or backgrounds.
• Impactful Contributions: Play a pivotal role in developing industry-leading solutions that make a significant difference in legal practice and client service.

Your Role:

As a Business Development Manager within our marketing team, you will:

• Leading efforts to identify relationships and build awareness of firm capabilities with relevant practice and industry organizations
• Maintaining a rolling pipeline that tracks opportunities, forecasts targets, and helps attorneys achieve goals
• Leading cross-marketing efforts for existing clients and helping to improve inter-office and practice communication on business development opportunities
• Assisting with the development and management of practice and office marketing budgets, including providing insight into the return on investment of expenditures
• Providing ongoing marketing research, competitive intelligence, and analysis; gathering intelligence on emerging market and industry trends to provide attorneys with an understanding of the competitive landscape and to position the firm for increased effectiveness in winning new business
• Managing the compilation, development, and maintenance of relevant database contact/mailing lists
• Working with the Director of Communications and the PR team to identify press opportunities
• Working with Department Chairs and Practice Group leaders to create and implement strategic business development plans
• Developing individual attorney business development plans focusing on the expansion of relationships with existing clients, target markets, and prospects
• Providing strategic guidance to attorneys and the Proposal team on relevant content and positioning for pitch materials, proposals, and RFP responses
• Advising on the composition of pitch and client meeting teams, with an understanding of key decision makers and purchasers of legal services at target companies
• In collaboration with the client events and communications teams, overseeing the strategy and development of events, sponsorships, and other marketing/communications activities
• Building relationships with key industry and practice group organizations as a market-facing resource and ambassadors for the firm
• Identifying and leading efforts to market the services and expertise of the lawyers in relevant industry and practice forums through various thought leadership and profile-raising activities
• Providing direction for the compilation and maintenance of relevant practice content and materials
• Ensuring the most relevant and useful marketing and business development materials are catalogued and accessible
• Some travel may be required

What We're Looking For:

• Growth Mindset: Self-motivated with a passion for continuous learning and problem-solving.
• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication abilities.
• Detail-Oriented: Keen attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines independently.

Required Education, Experience, and Skills:

• A bachelor's degree in a relevant area with a minimum of five years' experience in professional services marketing is required. Legal marketing and business development experience is strongly preferred.
• Experience specifically supporting labor and employment practice groups within an AmLaw 100 or other large law firm setting is strongly preferred.
• Excellent writing, editing, and communication (oral and written).
• Strong project management, interpersonal, and analytical skills.
• A high level of computer proficiency, with knowledge of CRMs a plus.
• Significant business knowledge and experience, and an intense client service attitude.
• The ability to handle multiple projects and deadlines.
• A strong work ethic and a team player attitude are indispensable.

The targeted salary range for this position is from $140,000 - $160,000, which reflects the Firm's good faith and reasonable estimate of possible compensation at the time of posting. Actual pay will depend on several factors, such as the candidate's experience, qualifications, and location.

Ballard Spahr offers an excellent benefits package. A summary of available benefits can be found here in the Careers section of the firm's website.

Ready to Grow with Us?

If you are ready to play a vital role in the Firm's success, we encourage you to apply and be a part of our commitment to excellence.

At Ballard Spahr, we believe that our skills, perspectives, and backgrounds drive innovation and excellence, while our unique culture fosters collaboration and success. Our culture of thriving together forms the cornerstone of how we deliver exceptional service and position our firm for a strong future. We welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.

Ballard Spahr is an equal opportunity employer. We offer equal consideration to all qualified applicants, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, age, national origin, handicap or disability, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, transgender status, sex stereotyping, genetic information, ancestry, veteran status or any other category protected by applicable law.

The firm is not accepting resumes from search firms for this position.