Business Development Manager - (Hybrid Schedule) at Reed Smith LLP

Firm Information

Reed Smith is a dynamic international law firm dedicated to helping clients move their businesses forward. With an inclusive culture and innovative mindset, we deliver smarter, more creative legal services that drive better outcomes for our clients. Our deep industry knowledge, long-standing relationships and collaborative structure make us the go-to partner for complex transactions, disputes and regulatory matters. Our team of 3,000 people (including more than 1,700 lawyers) across more than 30 offices in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, operate as one global partnership to drive progress for our clients, for ourselves and for our communities.
Our Financial Industry Group (FIG) is the largest of our five industry groups, with a client roster that includes domestic and global banks, investment banks, funds, investment management companies, advisors, and multinational companies.  Our firm’s FIG experience spans the full financial services sector and our core areas of excellence include restructuring & insolvency, financial regulation, financial services litigation, fund finance, private credit, real estate finance, corporate trust and structured finance. 
 

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated Business Development Manager to join our dynamic team and take a leading role in supporting the FIG partners in the US. This role is critical in relentlessly driving marketing and BD initiatives forward, proactively bringing new business ideas to the partners and working across FIG to drive revenue growth. The ideal candidate will be a highly driven self-starter with a commercial outlook, working closely with our Financial Institutions Group (FIG) and key partners to develop and execute on strategic business development initiatives.  The primary focus will be on revenue growth and raising the profile of the group in the US and, by extension, globally.  The successful candidate will manage two members of the team (both NYC based), and work very closely with the other members of the FIG BD team based in London.

Job Duties and Responsibilities :

Interaction and Relationship Building
Regularly interact with Industry Group Leaders and key attorneys on FIG BD activities.
Develop and maintain strong working relationships with lawyers.
Manage, coach and develop team two members of the FIG BD team.
Business and Industry Insight
Maintain a comprehensive understanding of FIG's business and clients.
Monitor financial industry trends and advise on strategies to capitalize on emerging opportunities.

Brand Positioning and Strategy
Drive brand positioning efforts, including managing strategic conference sponsorships, client presentations, seminars, and webinars.
Develop and execute cross-selling efforts, BD, and profile-raising initiatives in line with the firm's strategic objectives.

Pitch and Proposal Management
Prepare tailored, compelling pitches and responses for new business opportunities.
Oversee the development of practice-related pitch materials, such as profiles, experience lists, and case studies.
Project manage the drafting of pitches and proposals, collaborating with FIG BD colleagues and other practice groups.

Market Research and Client Analysis
Use internal and external databases to conduct market research and client analysis.
Identify industry trends, new business opportunities, and synergies with other practice and/or industry areas.
Perform in-depth analysis of clients to develop strategies for cross-selling and enhancing key strategic client relationships.

Collaboration and Lead Generation
Collaborate with internal resources to find synergies and assist attorneys in lead generation and pursuits.
Facilitate the integration of lateral partners and leverage the firm's capabilities for new client opportunities.

Tracking and Reporting
Track and report on the return on investment for major BD expenditures.
Maintain contributions and input related to attorney experience and client information into business development systems including CRM and Foundation.

 

Marketing and Communications
Oversee/manage submissions for major awards and legal directories.
Ensure all marketing communications channels convey consistent messages about the group and its experience.
Work with communications and media staff to identify and pursue PR opportunities in key legal trade and industry publications and industry surveys.

Event Coordination
Coordinate and plan practice profile-raising activities, including conferences, seminars, and sponsorships.
Ensure budget adherence and ROI analysis for these activities.

Ad Hoc Responsibilities
Assist with other marketing initiatives and responsibilities as required

Job functions included are not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary.  Reed Smith reserves the right to revise or modify job functions at any time.

Requirements

Education:  Bachelors degree in Marketing, Business, Communications or related field required.

Experience: Minimum of five years of business development experience and demonstrated project leadership. Law firm or professional services experience preferred. 

Skills: 

• Genuine interest in financial services, with a desire to stay current on industry developments and trends.
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Technologically savvy and able to quickly learn new database systems. 
• Extremely detail oriented, proactive and self-directed with ability to independently manage and appropriately prioritize multiple projects and competing priorities under tight deadlines.
• Able to demonstrate sound professional judgment and a high degree of poise and professionalism when interacting with internal and external contacts. 
• Comfortable establishing effective firmwide working relationships with individuals at all levels. 
• Strong organizational, project management and problem-solving skills.
• Able to work independently as well as part of a team and be flexible in approach.
• Excellent communication skills - oral and written. 
• Collaborative, resourceful, proactive and creative. 
   

Other

Supervisory Responsibilities:  This role will supervise a BD Senior Coordinator and BD Coordinator, and liaise as necessary with other members of the Marketing team on key projects and initiatives.  

Equipment To Be Used:  Personal computer and other office equipment such as telephone,  calculator, copier, scanner, etc.

Essential Job Functions: 

• Requires strong organizational skills, time management, initiative, focus on service delivery and excellent attention to detail and the ability to perform under pressure. 
• Must be able to communicate well, with excellent oral and written skills. They will be a natural internal networker who uncovers opportunities through engaging informally with partners and colleagues, as well as externally with clients. 
• Keen problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities and solutions-oriented thinking. 
• Must be able to travel for meetings and events as required. 
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing. 
• Ability to utilize technology, including computers and telecommunication devices. Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office is also essential. 
• Flexibility and adaptability; ability to multi-task, stay organised and manage competing priorities 
• Ability to exercise sound judgment to recommend and effectuate decisions. 
• Ability to use independent judgment and discretion and adapt to changing work situations. 
• Ability to have a customer-focused mindset and deliver high-quality service or solutions to internal or external stakeholders. 
• Must have Flexibility and adaptability to navigate changes, unexpected challenges, and evolving priorities. 
• You will be required to work in the office at minimum 3 days per week. Occasionally called upon to work hours in excess of your normal daily schedule. The details of your weekly schedule will be discussed further with your direct supervisor.

Typical Physical Demands: Manual dexterity sufficient to operate standard office equipment.

Typical Mental Demands: Able to work effectively in a fast paced environment.  Make judgment decisions and adapt to changing work situations.  Grasp and apply new ideas.  Communicate with various personalities at all levels. Must be able to make judgment decisions and adapt to changing work situations. Must be able to grasp and apply new ideas. Must be able to cooperate and work well with the others in the pursuit of team goals, shares information and supports others in helping to develop business

Working Conditions: You will be required to work in the office at minimum 3 days per week. The details of your weekly schedule will be discussed further with your direct supervisor.  Occasionally called upon to work hours in excess of your normal daily schedule.

Pay Range: $145,000 - $175,000  This represents the presently-anticipated low and high end of Reed Smith’s pay range for this position. Actual pay may vary based on various factors, including but not limited to location and experience.

Benefits Package Overview:

• 401k Plan
• Medical
• Health Savings Account
• Virtual Health
• Dental
• Vision
• Accident
• Hospital indemnity
• Critical illness
• Life insurance
• Short term disability
• Long term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Lyra Health EAP
• Paid Family Leave
• College Savings Plan
• Transportation benefit
• Back-up Child Care
• College Coach
• Pet insurance
• Paid sick time
• Vacation time

Reed Smith offers a challenging work environment, business casual dress code and a total compensation package that includes a competitive salary, flexible benefits program, tuition assistance, and generous 401 (k) plan.

  Reed Smith is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Reed Smith's success depends heavily on the effective utilization of qualified people, regardless of their race, ancestry, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, veteran's status, or any characteristic protected by law. As a firm, we adhere to and promote equal employment opportunity for all.

Reed Smith provides reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities, including in the application and interview process.

Qualified candidates only.  No search firms.