Senior Business Development Manager - Private Equity - (Hybrid) at Reed Smith LLP

Firm Information

Reed Smith is a dynamic international law firm dedicated to helping clients move their businesses forward. With an inclusive culture and innovative mindset, we deliver smarter, more creative legal services that drive better outcomes for our clients. Our deep industry knowledge, long-standing relationships and collaborative structure make us the go-to partner for complex disputes, transactions and regulatory matters.

Our team of 3,000 people (including more than 1,600 lawyers) across more than 30 offices in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, operate as one global partnership to drive progress for our clients, for ourselves and for our communities.

Position Summary

The Business Development Senior Manager will be based in New York and will play a crucial role in driving the marketing and business development activities for one of the firm's key revenue-producing partners. This partner, a distinguished member of the executive committee, specializes in private equity, mergers and acquisitions, and capital markets. The primary responsibilities will encompass supporting the partner through the development of pitch decks, drafting responses to requests for information and proposals, and gathering valuable marketplace intelligence.

The Business Development Senior Manager will join a highly productive and collaborative team, working closely with the team to ensure comprehensive support for the partner. The role requires a hands-on, detail-oriented, and organized professional who will contribute to revenue generation by crafting targeted pitches and presentations for clients throughout the globe. Strong organizational skills, exceptional written and verbal communication abilities, and flexibility in managing a substantial workload are essential. The ideal candidate will be resourceful, dynamic, and adept at working under pressure while maintaining a strong team-oriented approach.

Collaboration with the team lead and Business Development Manager will be a key aspect of this role, necessitating a proactive and enthusiastic attitude towards independent work. The successful candidate should possess self-motivation, energy, confidence, and effective communication skills, enabling seamless collaboration across departments and offices.

Given the complexity of the position, the Business Development Senior Manager must bring a wealth of relevant experience. Experience in private equity is highly desirable. Proficiency in PowerPoint is essential, as the role involves creating impactful presentations. Moreover, the successful candidate should possess strong expertise in writing responses to requests for proposals (RFPs) and pitches, as well as strong business development and research skills to proactively identify target clients and markets to grow the partner’s practice.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Prepare tailored, compelling pitches and responses for new business opportunities and requests for information and proposals.
• Conduct market research and client analysis to identify industry trends, new business opportunities, and synergies with other practice areas to grow partner’s practice.
• Gather and analyze marketplace intelligence to identify potential clients, industry trends, and competitor activities.
• Prepare research to support sales and cross-selling efforts for existing and prospective clients.
• Oversee all aspects of business development-related client events, including drafting invitations, sourcing venues, and managing logistics.
• Prepare relationship reports, generate relationship maps, and develop targeting plans.
• Maintain up-to-date attorney biographies with recent deals and experiences.
• Manage awards and directories submissions.
• Maintain a database of deals and matters.
• Assist in coordinating and strategically planning industry conferences, client seminars, and sponsorships.
• Develop practice-related pitch decks and materials, such as profiles, experience lists, and case studies.
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with existing clients, identifying cross-selling and expansion opportunities.
• Demonstrate flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed/requested by the partner.
• Lead global proposals and multi-practice pitches as a subject matter expert, contributing experience and practice capabilities as needed. Work closely with various legal, business development and marketing professionals to develop related presentations or material.
• Oversee contact management by ensuring the maintenance of contacts and key information on the partner’s CRM system.
• Work with firm resources and practice group leaders to develop strategies for directory submissions (Chambers, Legal 500, etc.) to ensure marquee practice areas and individuals are being considered appropriately. Assist in the preparation and submission of materials to applicable directories or rating organizations.
• Partner with the branding and public relations teams to develop and help implement thought leadership and campaigns to help raise the profile of the practice group both internally and externally and to ensure coverage of successful matters and initiatives in key markets.
• Develop and implement thought leadership strategies on multiple platforms including client alerts, blog postings, podcasts, social media and other marketing platforms.
• Develop and execute internal communication strategies, including coordination of firm news for new business highlights and client and matters successes.
• Complete special projects as assigned.
• Work to ensure quality professional product, as well as delivery of all work within established time frames.

Job duties and responsibilities included are not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary. Reed Smith reserves the right to revise or modify job duties and responsibilities at any time.

Requirements

Education: Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing or related field preferred. JD and/or MBA strongly preferred.

Experience: 5+ years of directly relevant experience in a marketing or business development-related position, including experience in a large law firm or professional services firm. A strong business development and marketing acumen and basic legal substantive knowledge is required.

Skills: Strong oral and written communications skills with the ability to interact at various levels with confidence and with a customer service attitude. Strong computer skills including advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Must be highly organized with the ability to multi-task, manage workload and competing priorities and pay close attention to details. Must be able to think critically and creatively, present ideas and views clearly and with confidence to people at all levels, including partners and clients. Must be able to demonstrate initiative, be flexible and adaptable and be a team player. Must have a strong focus on customer service delivery while dealing with a variety of personalities and being sensitive to cultural differences and issues. Must be competent and confident people and function manager. Must be capable of working at a high cadence.

Other

Supervisory Responsibilities: Direct line management to Business Development Manager.

Equipment To Be Used: Personal computer and other office equipment such as telephone, calculator, fax, machine, copier, scanner, etc.

Essential Job Functions:

• Requires strong organizational skills, time management, initiative, focus on service delivery and excellent attention to detail and the ability to perform under pressure.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing. They will be a natural internal networker who uncovers opportunities through engaging informally with partners and colleagues, as well as externally with clients.
• Keen problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities and solutions-oriented thinking.
• Must be able to travel for meetings and events as required.
• Ability to utilize technology, including computers and telecommunication devices.
• Flexibility and adaptability; ability to multi-task, stay organized and manage competing priorities.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment to recommend and effectuate decisions.
• Ability to use independent judgment and discretion and adapt to changing work situations.
• Ability to have a customer-focused mindset and deliver high-quality service or solutions to internal or external stakeholders.
• Must have Flexibility and adaptability to navigate changes, unexpected challenges, and evolving priorities. 
• Ability to sit and/or stand for prolonged periods, intense eye usage, and finger, hand and wrist dexterity associated with prolonged computer use.
• Ability to read and interpret written documents, computer screens and other visual displays accurately.
• Ability to hear and understand verbal communication, including conversations and instructions, is important for effective collaboration and communication.
• Must work in office as required.

Working Conditions:  You will be required to work in the office at minimum 3 days per week. Occasionally called upon to work hours in excess of your normal daily schedule. The details of your weekly schedule will be discussed further with your direct supervisor. 

Pay Ranges: This represents the presently-anticipated low and high end of Reed Smith’s pay range for this position. Actual pay may vary based on various factors, including but not limited to location and experience.

• New York:  $167,000 - $204,800

Benefits Package Overview:

• 401k Plan
• Medical
• Health Savings Account
• Virtual Health
• Dental
• Vision
• Accident
• Hospital indemnity
• Critical illness
• Life insurance
• Short term disability
• Long term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Lyra Health EAP
• Paid Family Leave
• College Savings Plan
• Transportation benefit
• Back-up Child Care
• College Coach
• Pet insurance
• Paid sick time
• Vacation time

Reed Smith offers a challenging work environment, business casual dress code and a total compensation package that includes a competitive salary, flexible benefits program, tuition assistance, and generous 401 (k) plan.

Reed Smith is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reed Smith's success depends heavily on the effective utilization of qualified people, regardless of their race, ancestry, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, veteran's status, or any characteristic protected by law. As a firm, we adhere to and promote equal employment opportunity for all.

Reed Smith provides reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities, including in the application and interview process.

Qualified candidates only. No search firms.