Description

McCarter & English, LLP is seeking a Business Development Manager to join its Boston, MA office to support the firm’s Intellectual Property practice group. This role is ideal for candidates with relevant experience, predominantly working with IP lawyers and professionals, who are eager to contribute to a dynamic team. Recognized by Chambers USA, the intellectual property team of more than 100 lawyers and patent professionals combines technical and scientific acumen with legal skill. Working dynamically across the core intellectual property law disciplines, our IP practice delivers comprehensive solutions to strengthen, defend, and enforce our clients’ inventions, brands, and original works. 

The Business Development Manager will primarily support the Intellectual Property Group, with the possibility of extending support to other practice groups and projects within the department and firm. Key responsibilities include:

• Preparing proposals, pitches, and launching new business initiatives.
• Building comprehensive knowledge of the practice groups, including insights into attorney and firm experience, industry/trade group organizations, current trends, and existing clients.
• Ensuring marketing materials for each practice group are accurate, complete, and current, including the maintenance of experience lists, descriptions, and other collateral.
• Managing directory, awards, league tables, and other submissions for the assigned practice groups and attorneys.
• Coordinating practice group meetings, understanding the collaboration between subgroups and other groups to facilitate cross-selling opportunities.
• Developing business development and marketing plans for assigned practice groups and relevant lawyers.
• Working with the business development team to identify and implement strategies for expanding key client relationships across the firm.
• Coaching and supporting lawyers in their business development and relationship-building efforts, both internally and externally.
• Planning and overseeing events, CLEs, sponsorships, speaking and writing engagements, and other targeted marketing activities.
• Partnering on relevant PR, communications, and digital marketing initiatives, including identifying topical issues and evaluating lawyers to provide commentary or author articles.
• Creating key messaging to strategically position the practice groups.
• Conducting research on industry trends, prospective clients, and competitors’ marketing activities to identify issues impacting client businesses and recommending actionable strategies.
• Directing and managing marketing staff and resources in support of individual lawyer and practice group marketing efforts.
• Managing and overseeing business development budgets.
• Traveling as needed to support business development initiatives.

Requirements

• Must be a proactive self-starter and strategic thinker capable of taking ownership of responsibilities and completing tasks with minimal oversight.
• Strong project management skills to organize and prioritize tasks, working effectively under pressure while maintaining attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to make decisions and adapt to changing work environments.
• Ability to work well in a team environment, joining and collaborating with an existing team of professionals.
• Excellent writing and editing skills, with the capability to translate complex legal topics into plain English, create promotional and educational materials from scratch, and proofread content.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, able to follow instructions from a diverse group of attorneys and staff and provide information courteously and tactfully; must also be politically astute.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and general internet research.
• Flexibility and dedication; the position often requires working more than 40 hours per week and during irregular hours.
• Bachelor’s degree, with an emphasis in marketing or business preferred.
• At least six years of experience as a business development or marketing professional at a law firm or comparable professional services organization.
• A minimum of three years supporting IP lawyers and professionals.
• An understanding of the firm’s IP services, clients, and industries.
• Experience and understanding of the relevant practice areas.
• Proven experience supporting growth and client acquisition.
• A sense of humor is valued.