Business Development Specialist

The Business Development Specialist will be instrumental in supporting and developing the office's strategic objectives through the effective implementation of business development activities in the Chicago office, and to ensure these activities and objectives are aligned with the overall Firm strategy.

The role is an integral part of the Firm's In-Market Client Development team, focusing on business development and client development activities that strengthen the Firm's profile in the market, overseeing the maintenance of business development and marketing collateral for the offices, business planning, monitoring progress against planned priorities, and developing and executing key sponsorships and client events.

Responsibilities:

• Firm Profiling and Events – Work with the North America Business Development, Marketing and Communications (NA BDMC) team, NA Clients team, industry and practice groups, events team, and others to develop, organize, coordinate, and execute seminars, receptions, and special events taking place in the local market. Responsible for creating and managing critical dates and timelines concerning local events and sponsorships. Draft and manage all internal and external communications for programs, liaising with the NA Communications team. Oversee maintenance of the office's client mailing list.
• External Engagements – Evaluate key sponsorships and networking opportunities with professional organizations and associations in the local market. Coordinate all deliverables associated with office-identified key sponsorships. Leverage the Firm's involvement to strengthen client relationships, and create client and attorney connections across the organizations.
• Business Development – Support the Chicago office by working independently and with the NA BDMC team to identify new business opportunities. Work with the industry and practice groups to develop cross-selling opportunities with key clients, and to implement strategies to capture those opportunities.
• Client Relationship Management – Work with the NA Clients team to support strategic client development projects, including the Firm's global client programs, regional client teams, and regional targeting initiatives. Provide overall support for activities that focus on target clients in the local market and integrate these where possible with North American programs. Work with regional BD management to manage and support client teams. Conduct client research, including research on Firm-specific information such as billings, matters, and relevant timekeepers.
• Marketing Collateral – Responsible for the development and maintenance of marketing collateral, where necessary. Update Firm information and relevant capability statements concerning the office, including those appearing on the Firm’s external website. Responsible for obtaining and verifying that information is readily available for use in Directory submissions, marketing materials, CVs, and proposals.
• Proposals – Work with the NA BDMC team and the Global Client Pursuits team, and provide input into the development of proposals including collecting relevant content such as practice area descriptions and case lists.
• Brand Management – Ensure the Firm's brand and that of the office is maintained, and implement the various activities supporting the brand of the Firm and that of the office. Create advertisements as required in support of Firm-sponsored activities and purchase promotional items for use at client events.
• Budget Management – Develop business cases for budget requests based on business planning and be aware of the budget available from both Regional and Global sources. Monitor annual budget expenditures for the office and seek funding from global and regional sources where appropriate.
• Client Entertainment – Manage the allocation of tickets to the Firm's various sporting and sponsored events and other opportunities in the local market.
• Work as part of a project team on strategic projects/marketing opportunities as identified by office management.
• Other duties as assigned to develop and drive the North American regional strategy

Skills and Experience:

• A bachelor's degree is required, preferably in marketing, communications, marketing, business, or a related field
• Strong experience in marketing, or another relevant field preferably in a professional services environment and with partners/senior executives
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Self-motivated and independent, able to work with minimum supervision
• Well-developed and sophisticated organization, communication, and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to relate to and gain the confidence of people at all levels within an organization, as well as an ability to build strong relationships and work in a collaborative environment
• Organized, detail-oriented individual with strong project management skills, and the ability to work on multiple tasks with competing deadlines
• Excellent computer skills (including Outlook, MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat, or similar)
• High level of discretion, diplomacy, and a commitment to maintaining the highest level of confidentiality
• High level of energy and persistence, and understanding of the importance of delivering exceptional customer service to internal and external clients
• Familiar with the internet and web-based platforms
• Flexible to travel frequently to meetings and events and work long hours during peak training and meeting periods

These personal qualities represent the shared characteristics of high performers across Baker McKenzie, regardless of job level and location.

Know-how

• Demonstrates the ability to identify the real issue, and to anticipate requirements and potential consequences; distills a range of possibilities by thinking in a considered, prudent manner
• Has a capacity to take on new ideas and develop knowledge and think holistically about business and address media, analyst, employee, and client audiences
• Able to move through a variety of tasks requiring different approaches, knowledge, and expertise, with the agility of mind and capacity for analysis and synthesis

Dedication

• Driven by a strong personal sense of integrity and upholds exemplary quality standards
• Prepares thoroughly, takes responsibility, uses initiative, and is self-reliant to ensure work progresses to the fullest extent possible
• Hardworking and diligent with a keen understanding of client demands
• Demonstrates composure when dealing with difficult situations

Personal Impact

• Uses complex, coordinated influencing/negotiation strategies, adapted to people, organizations, and/or the situation, e.g. networks
• Leverages direct reports to facilitate increased collaboration across the organization
• Builds partnerships based on a common agreement that acknowledges individual differences but creates a new commonality beyond root belief large-scale
• Creates a positive impression at all times; develops relationships through collaboration and reciprocity
• Negotiates to achieve mutually satisfactory outcomes; shows good judgment on when to stand strong and when to compromise
• Invests in, nurtures, and builds a network of productive relationships

Humanity

• Respectful to others, regardless of their position, and earns the respect of others by being transparent
• Has care and concern for others and a genuine interest in others as people Treats delicate or confidential issues with discretion

About Baker McKenzie

Complex business challenges require an integrated response across different markets, sectors, and areas of law. Baker McKenzie's client solutions provide seamless advice, underpinned by deep practice and sector expertise, as well as first-rate local market knowledge. Across more than 70 offices globally, Baker McKenzie works alongside our clients to deliver solutions for a connected world.

We are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion for all. Our unique international culture is reflected in the drawing together of a worldwide family of individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds in all of our offices. We encourage the best people -- regardless of race, religion, or belief if any, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, or age -- to fulfill their professional aspirations with us.

This position is bonus-eligible and includes benefits such as medical, dental, vision, and 401(k) based on number of hours worked.

The US base compensation for this position is expected to be $95,000 to $105,000 annually if located in an office in the city of Chicago. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.