Winston & Strawn LLP Looking for Senior Business Development Specialist at Chicago, IL  Full Time

SUMMARY:

At Winston, Senior Business Development (BD) Specialists support the overall marketing and business development efforts of the firm, working directly with select practice leaders and their respective team to implement key initiatives and BD projects for their assigned practices and the practices’ attorneys. The position serves as the main point of contact for the assigned practices’ attorneys and collaborates with junior staff who assist with implementing initiatives for their assigned practices, practices, and task forces within the department. This position supports the BD Manager or Director with development of practice-wide and cross-practice initiatives and supervises implementation thereof, as requested.

This role specifically will support the national financial regulatory and investment management practice and the real estate practice with an opportunity to take on interesting and forward looking projects. Partners in the financial regulatory practice are focused on fintech, digital currency and regulatory advice for banks and lenders overall and are seeking an independent and dynamic individual who is interested in this emerging space.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Staff Development Framework: Adhere to Professional Excellence, Client Focus, and Leadership and Professionalism standards set forth in the firm’s Staff Development Framework.
• Talent Development: Provide feedback on BD Specialist and BD Coordinator performance to BD Manager; guide BD Specialist and BD Coordinator in executing specific projects and train/mentor as necessary.
• Lateral Recruiting & Integration: Collaborate with BD Specialist on pre-arrival packet (including draft announcement, biography, collateral updates (if possible), experience list, etc.) before submitting to BD Manager. Assist BD Manager in developing and implementing integration plans.
• Service Delivery: Participate in day-to-day delivery of BD services for assigned practices; assist BD Manager in monitoring and maintaining quality assurance and responsiveness.
• Strategic Planning: Support BD Manager in developing and executing assigned practices’ strategic plans, including participating in formulation of strategy.
• Proposals/Marketing Collateral: Create proposal/pitch materials for specific opportunities; prepare content for RFP responses, including drafting original content, as needed. Develop and oversee maintenance of print collateral suite and electronic content; collaborate with marketing brand team on messaging, design, and visual storytelling.
• Marketing & Operations:

• Oversee BD Specialist in working directly with attorneys on CLE presentations, client briefings, blogs, newsletters, etc., focusing on finalization of content and, as to briefings and newsletters, finalization of the distribution list. Handle any issues that arise related to the production of thought leadership.
• Support the development and execution of firm-produced events and related follow up.
• Support execution of conference and other sponsorships, before, during, and after the event. Support related follow-up.
• Ensure collection and maintenance of practice-specific information for the experience system and other reporting tools, including information on sales opportunities (pitch/proposal tracking), cross-selling activities, new clients and matters, and other relevant practice area data for use in marketing and BD materials.
• Audit existing experience reports for updating and identify experience that needs to be entered into experience database for assigned practices. Review experience reports developed by BD Specialist before entry.
• Support development of BD budget for assigned practices; track practice expenses compared to budget.

• Practice-wide Meetings: Provide support for practice-wide meetings as requested.
• Marketing Communications: Collaborating with Marketing Communications, support BD Manager to leverage all visibility-building activities for assigned practices.
• Markets/Offices: Support market/regional activities and/or office activities, as requested.
• Special Projects: Assist the BD Manager and Director of BD with special projects (e.g., lateral recruiting pieces, firmwide materials, biennial Partners Conference, etc.).

QUALIFICATIONS: (Must be specifically listed on resume to be considered for this position.)

• 4–year college degree required
• 4+ years of business development, sales, marketing, or writing experience in a financial or professional services firm environment, or experience as a practicing attorney or in another similar legal industry role required

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience preparing proposal (RFP) responses, pitch materials, presentations, and other related materials is a plus
• Strong project management skills/ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines
• High proficiency with Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, Power Point, Teams, etc.)
• Experience with CRM, information systems, and database functionality/concepts is a plus
• Creative, resourceful, and ability to work independently, and as part of a team
• The ability to build credibility and develop internal and external relationships by demonstrating:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills (email, telephone, and in-person) as well as editing skills
• Proactive, confident attitude and approach
• The ability to work under pressure and prioritize projects with enthusiasm
• The ability to collaborate with colleagues at all levels
• The ability to provide consistently superior level of service to internal and external clients
• Professional appearance and ability to speak comfortably in professional and social settings