Business Development Director

GENERAL PURPOSE

The Business Development Director (BDD) drives new business opportunities for the firm through a proactive, market-facing approach. This role helps Perkins Coie lawyers, individually and collectively, expand relationships with clients and targeted prospects through lead generation aligned with assigned practices and industry sectors. The BDD identifies qualified revenue opportunities and is accountable to defined sales performance metrics. This role focuses sales efforts on firm priority industry sectors.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

These essential functions are the primary job duties that incumbents must be able to perform unassisted or with some reasonable accommodation.

• Partner with lawyers and marketing colleagues to identify, prioritize, and pursue high-potential opportunities, including prospective clients, warm prospects, and new matters for existing clients, with a focus on assigned industry sectors.
• Support strategic efforts to elevate the firm’s profile and expand visibility across the central region through targeted business development and market-facing initiatives.
• Collaborate with practice and sector marketing business professionals to develop and execute lead generation programs, including campaigns, events, and related initiatives, and build on existing programs, including public chatter leads.
• Partner with marketing and competitive intelligence business professionals to conduct primary and secondary research and uncover new business opportunities.
• Use existing networks and build new connections to facilitate introductions between the firm’s key lawyers and select business, community, and industry leaders.
• Work with marketing department business professionals to increase visibility among decision-makers in priority market segments and industry sectors.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Maintain regular attendance during scheduled working hours and as needed in the position, consistent with the firm’s attendance expectations.

SPECIFIC SKILLS REQUIRED

• Executive presence, sound judgment, and the ability to build credibility and relationships with varied constituencies.
• Ability to influence action and achieve results in a collaborative, matrixed environment.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and understand current and future business and legal needs of clients and prospective clients.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including professionalism, tact, and discretion.
• Ability to quickly build knowledge of the firm’s capabilities, structure, and client base.
• Strong collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively without direct authority.
• Self-starter mindset, strong problem-solving ability, and a team-oriented approach.
• Excellent written, verbal, organizational, and technical skills.
• Proficiency in business applications, including Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Word.
• Experience using CRM platforms to record, maintain, update, and retrieve sales data.

SPECIFIC SKILLS PREFERRED

• Demonstrated knowledge of business development strategies and techniques in a professional services environment.
• Experience in the technology and/or financial services sectors preferred.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 15 years of success generating new revenue by engaging existing and prospective clients, particularly C-suite executives and, ideally, in-house legal counsel.
• Portable relationships and contacts strongly preferred.
• Proven track record of assessing business development objectives accurately and creating opportunities through key business relationships.
• Experience in legal or other professional services preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent required; advanced degree, such as an MS, MA, MBA, JD, or other relevant graduate degree, strongly preferred.

At Perkins Coie, we look for self-motivated individuals dedicated to providing value and superior service and who have a high degree of integrity and enthusiasm for their work. We have created a company culture based on collaboration, devotion to serving our clients, and mutual respect. Perkins Coie is committed to advancing diversity and inclusion both within the firm and throughout our collective communities. Work with one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For and receive great health insurance, tuition reimbursement, and paid sabbaticals. 

This position is eligible for an annual discretionary bonus, 401(k) plan, medical, dental, and vision insurance, accrued paid time off plan starting at 20 days annually, personal medical and parental leave, up to 10 paid holidays, and family care benefits. More information regarding benefits and programs may be found here. 

This position may be filled in the following location(s). The listed compensation range reflects the typical pay for this role, though it is rare for new hires to receive an offer at the top of the range. Actual compensation may vary depending on experience, skills, market conditions, and internal equity. 

Illinois compensation range: $ 178,080.00 to $ 320,660.00 annually