Business Development Manager

Department: Marketing/Communications

About Us:

Ballard Spahr is a renowned national law firm with 600 lawyers and more than 500 business professionals and paralegals across 15 offices in the United States.  A career at Ballard Spahr offers a diverse group of mentors, colleagues, and friends, and strong leadership that provides support and encouragement for career growth.

Ballard Spahr has a great opportunity currently available for a dynamic and successful business development professional to join the Marketing team as a Business Development Manager (BDM) supporting the Intellectual Property (IP) department. This position reports to the Director of Business Development and offers a hybrid work arrangement with 3 days in the office per week in any of these Ballard locations; Atlanta, Baltimore, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Washington DC, or Salt Lake City.

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.

• Diversity: 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:

You will be an important part of our Marketing and Business Development team and will work closely with the IP department leadership, practice group leaders, industry team leaders, Marketing department leadership, attorneys, and other marketing team members to support the development of new business and to deepen existing client relationships.

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.

As a Business Development Manager within our Intellectual Property Department you will:

• Work with Department Chairs, Practice Group and Industry Team leaders to create and implement strategic business development plans and promoting the firm’s services while understanding, addressing, and aligning our efforts with targets’ and clients’ objectives.

• Develop and maintain a rolling pipeline which tracks targets, opportunities, and progress updates to help attorneys achieve goals.

• Provide business development coaching in group and one-on-one settings and support lawyers in the development of their individual attorney business development plans.

• Assist with the development and management of practice group and industry team marketing budgets, including providing insight into the return on investment of expenditures.

• Provide ongoing marketing research, competitive intelligence and analysis; gather 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.

• Provide strategic guidance to attorneys and collaborate with the Proposal Team on relevant content and positioning for pitch materials, proposals, and RFP responses; and occasionally lead proposal responses.

What We’re Looking For:

The ideal candidate will demonstrate independent judgment, strategic and diplomatic thinking and have the ability to lead business development efforts while building consensus. The ability to handle multiple projects and deadlines, combined with a strong work ethic and a team player attitude are indispensable.

Required Experience:

Requirements include a college degree with 5+ years of experience in legal marketing; excellent writing, editing, communication (oral and written), project management, interpersonal, and analytical skills; strong computer proficiency a must (including knowledge of CRMs and marketing databases), significant business knowledge and experience; and an intense client service attitude. Some travel may be required. Prior law firm experience supporting IP practices is required.

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.

Ballard Spahr offers an excellent benefits package which includes medical, fertility benefits, travel and lodging expenses, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage; life insurance, short and long-term disability; 401(k) retirement savings plan with a firm contribution and match; and a generous paid time off program.  Additional benefits provided are health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts, and a health savings account; paid parental leave, firm subsidized emergency child and elder care services; family and medical leave; employee assistance program; and a pre-tax transportation program. The salary range for this position is from $130 to $150k depending upon experience and location.

Resume, cover letter and salary requirements are required. 

Ballard Spahr is committed to increasing diversity in the legal profession and to supporting the communities where we live and work.  People from all backgrounds are valued and integrated into every part of the firm.  Diverse candidates including women, people of color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, and individuals with a disability are encouraged to apply.

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

Ballard Spahr is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a culturally diverse environment. The firm encourages applications from a diverse pool of candidates, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to 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.