Baker McKenzie

The Business Development Specialist, NA Client Programs & Special Projects will support and develop the North America strategic objectives by effectively implementing business development initiatives that align with the Firm’s overarching strategy.

The role-holder will be 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.

Main responsibilities: 

Firm Profiling and Events:

• Work with the North America Business Development, Marketing and Communications (NA BDMC) team, NA In-Market team, practice groups, events team, and others to develop, organize, coordinate, and execute seminars, receptions, and special events supporting NA regional initiatives
• Create and manage critical dates and timelines concerning NA events and sponsorships 
• Draft and manage all internal and external communications for programs, liaising with the NA Communications team
• Oversee maintenance of the regional client mailing list

External Engagements:

• Evaluate key sponsorships and networking opportunities with professional organizations and associations
• Coordinate all deliverables associated with NA 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 NA Market by working independently and with the NA BD team to identify new business opportunities
• Work with the 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 Markets 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 ("Local Champion Clients"), 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 the Firm-specific information such as billings, matters, and relevant timekeepers 

Marketing Collateral:

• Responsible for the development and maintenance of marketing collateral
• Update the Firm’s information, regional CLE programming and relevant capability statements concerning NA for internal/external website, pitch, and RFP purposes 
• 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 NA region is maintained, and implement the various activities supporting the brand of the Firm and that of the NA region
• Create advertisements as required in support of the 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 is aware of the budget available from both Regional and Global sources
• Monitor annual budget expenditures for the NA region and seek funding from global and regional sources 

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 NA management, including supporting the Baker NA Alumni program
• Other duties as assigned to develop and drive the North America 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 spoken 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
• Able to build strong relationships and work in a collaborative environment
• Organized, detail-oriented with strong project management skills
• Able to work on multiple tasks with competing deadlines
• Proficient in using Outlook, Microsoft 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

Reports to: Associate Director, Business Development, NA Markets

Travel requirements: Travel is required on occasion to support and attend client events, meetings, and Firm meetings

Position type: Regional

Development framework: Specialist

At Baker McKenzie we are different in the way we think, work and behave. With our team of 13,000 people, including over 6,500 locally admitted lawyers, in over 70 offices worldwide, we have a passionately collaborative community of 60 nationalities and are committed to world-class career development to everyone in every job at every level. Baker McKenzie can offer you both the uncompromising commitment to excellence expected of a top firm paired with a passionately global and genuinely collaborative working environment.

Pay Transparency

• 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 $115,000 annually if located in an office in the state of Illinois. 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. 

Baker McKenzie is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 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. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and accessible experience for all candidates. Should candidates require any reasonable adjustments and/or accommodations when applying to or interviewing with our Firm, please notify recruitmentservices@bakermckenzie.com