Ballard Spahr LLP

Business Development Manager

Ballard Spahr LLP$145K — $165K *
Legal & Accounting
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant field required.
  • 5+ years of professional services marketing experience, ideally in legal marketing.
  • Strong preference for experience in Antitrust, Securities Litigation, White Collar, or Government Affairs.
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills essential.
  • High technical proficiency, ideally with CRM platforms.

Responsibilities

  • Lead efforts to identify and build relationships with industry organizations.
  • Promote firm services while aligning with clients' objectives.
  • Maintain a pipeline to track opportunities and forecast targets.
  • Partner with leaders to create strategic business development plans.
  • Lead business development strategies for events and marketing activities.
  • Provide guidance on messaging for proposals and RFPs.
  • Assist in managing practice group budgets and assessing ROI.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits package available.
  • Hybrid work schedule of 3 days in the office per week.
  • Opportunities for professional growth and continuous learning.
Full Job Description
Department: Marketing/Communications

A great opportunity is available for a dynamic and accomplished business development professional to join Ballard Spahr as a Business Development Manager (BDM), supporting key Litigation Department practices, including Antitrust, Securities Litigation, White Collar, and Government Affairs. In this strategic role, the successful candidate will partner closely with Litigation Department leadership, practice group leaders, attorneys, Marketing leadership, and other marketing professionals to drive business growth, strengthen client relationships, and identify new market opportunities. The BDM will be responsible for developing and executing comprehensive business development strategies, enhancing the firm's brand presence, and ensuring alignment with broader firm and departmental objectives. This position requires a professional who can exercise independent judgment, think strategically, build consensus among diverse stakeholders, and lead complex business development initiatives with confidence and diplomacy. The ideal candidate will be resilient, innovative, client-focused, and highly collaborative, with the ability to work effectively across teams while contributing to firm-wide and industry-focused marketing initiatives that support continued growth and success.

This hybrid position offers a work schedule of 3 days a week in the office.

Your Role:

As a Business Development Manager supporting the Litigation practice area you will:

  • Lead efforts to identify relationships and build awareness of firm capabilities with relevant practice and industry organizations.
  • Promote the firm's services while understanding, addressing, and aligning our efforts with targets and clients' objectives.
  • Maintain a rolling pipeline which tracks opportunities; forecasts targets and helps attorneys achieve goals.
  • Partner with Practice Group Leaders to develop and implement strategic business development plans.
  • In collaboration with the Client Events and Communications teams, lead the business development strategy for events, conferences, sponsorships, and related marketing activities.
  • Provide strategic guidance on positioning, messaging, and content for pitches, proposals, and RFP responses.
  • Assist with the development and management of practice group budgets, including evaluating the strategic value and return on investment of business development and marketing expenditures.
  • Provide business development coaching in group and one-on-one settings.
  • Develop target lists and opportunities for new business.
  • Identify and lead efforts to market the services and expertise of the lawyers in relevant industry and practice forums through various thought leadership and profile-raising activities.
  • Provide direction of the compilation and maintenance of relevant practice content and materials.
  • Ensure the most relevant and useful marketing and business development materials are catalogued and accessible.
  • Some travel may be required.


What We're Looking For:

  • Growth Mindset: Self-motivated with a passion for continuous learning and problem-solving.
  • Communication: Strong verbal and written communication abilities.
  • Detail-Oriented: Keen attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines independently.


Required Experience:

The ideal candidate will hold a bachelor's degree in a relevant field and possess at least five years of professional services marketing experience, with a strong preference for legal marketing and business development expertise. Experience supporting Antitrust, Securities Litigation, White Collar, and/or Government Affairs practice groups within an AmLaw 100 or similarly sized law firm is highly valued. The successful candidate will demonstrate exceptional written and verbal communication skills, strong editing capabilities, and outstanding project management, analytical, and interpersonal abilities. A high degree of technical proficiency, including experience with CRM platforms, is preferred. Candidates should exhibit strong business acumen, a client-centric approach, and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Success in this role requires a proactive, collaborative mindset, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to delivering exceptional client service. Regular and dependable attendance is essential, along with the flexibility to work beyond standard business hours as needed to meet business demands.

The targeted salary range for this position is from $145,000 - $165,000, which reflects the firm's good faith and reasonable estimate of possible compensation at the time of posting. Actual pay will depend on several factors such as the candidate's experience, qualifications, and location.

Ballard Spahr offers an excellent benefits package. A summary of available benefits can be found here in the Careers section of the firm's website.

Ready to Grow with Us?

If you are ready to play a vital role in the firm's success, we encourage you to apply and be a part of our commitment to excellence.

At Ballard Spahr, we believe that our skills, perspectives, and backgrounds drive innovation and excellence, while our unique culture fosters collaboration and success. Our culture of thriving together forms the cornerstone of how we deliver exceptional service and position our firm for a strong future. We welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.

About Ballard Spahr LLP

Ballard Spahr LLP is a national law firm that provides a wide range of legal services to clients in various industries. The firm has more than 650 attorneys in 15 offices across the United States. Ballard Spahr's practice areas include business and finance, intellectual property, litigation, real estate, and tax. The firm has a reputation for providing high-quality legal services and has been recognized by numerous publications and organizations. Ballard Spahr was founded in 1886 and is headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Learn more about Ballard Spahr LLP
Size
700 employees
Industry
Founded
1886

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