Posted on October 21, 2022

Dentons Davis Brown is recruiting for a Business Development Specialist based in our Des Moines office. The Business Development Specialist is responsible for identifying, developing, executing, advising, and supporting lawyers on activities that generate new business for the firm, including strengthening client relationships; pursuing new business opportunities; and elevating the brand and profile for the firm, practices and sectors and lawyers.

The position is an integral role for a versatile professional who enjoys helping lawyers with business development while also working alongside the entire marketing team. This position works collaboratively with the firm’s division leaders and department chairs, client development committee, and shareholders on key projects to ensure coordination, appropriate leveraging of resources, consistency of approach and effective execution of initiatives. The position will report to the firm’s Director of Marketing.

Responsibilities / Duties

• Help individual lawyers, practice areas, and sector groups create and execute business plans and budgets
• Coordinate and respond to Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and prepare pitches designed to obtain new business, including the development of content for RFPs/pitches and client presentations, ensuring the content is consistent with branding
• Develop client/prospect collateral and sales tools, including materials for meetings, seminars and speaking engagements events, sponsorships, client alerts, newsletters, fact sheets and other direct client communication
• Identify opportunities for thought leadership and other marketing and campaign ideas to increase brand awareness of lawyers, practice areas/industries and the firm
• Serve as point of contact for conferences, sponsorships, and seminars; coordinate with lawyers and others to provide required materials
• Collect and archive matter/case summaries and all related information for use in pitches/RFPs, biographies, legal directory submissions, website, internal and external newsletters, annual reviews, press releases, etc.
• Draft and complete awards/rankings submissions and submit new matters to ranking agencies for league table and other credit/acknowledgment
• Help orient lateral attorney hires, including working with them to develop and implement BD plans that take the national, global and cross-selling opportunities into consideration
• Monitor competitive activity, client and company, sector, and geographic trends, draw conclusions, assess implications and prepare marketing and research reports
• Assist with tracking the firm marketing/BD budget throughout the year and make recommendations to optimize resources
• Regularly update and work with PR colleagues across Dentons to promote lawyers via media opportunities
• Coordinate with other Dentons offices and business development professionals for practice or sector-specific events and initiatives
• Other duties may be assigned to fully meet the requirements of the position

Required skills / Abilities

• Exceptional attention to detail and strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to juggle multiple high-visibility, time-sensitive business development projects
• Ability to think both strategically and creatively
• Ability to work in person after 5:30 pm. as necessary for special events
• Social media savvy

Education and experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent is preferred; a master’s or law degree is a plus
• 4-6 years of experience, preferably in a professional services firm

Physical requirements

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at a time

• To apply, please send resume and cover letter to emily.greve@dentons.com.