Director of Business Development

Gould & Ratner LLP

$150K — $180K *
Legal & Accounting
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 8+ years of progressive business development leadership experience in a law firm.
  • Proven success in creating strategies that drive measurable growth.
  • Experience coaching and influencing senior professionals in law firms.
  • Strong grasp of legal industry economics and client development.
  • Excellent communication and project management skills.
  • Bachelor's degree required; MBA, JD, or advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and implement the firm's business development strategy.
  • Collaborate with leadership to create strategic business plans for practice groups.
  • Lead initiatives to enhance client development and engagement.
  • Coach attorneys to identify opportunities and achieve business goals.
  • Direct client succession and integration plans to maintain relationships.
  • Manage pitches, proposals, and strategic business development efforts.
  • Oversee CRM and business development technologies to improve decision-making.
  • Provide market analysis to inform strategic positioning.

Benefits

  • Emphasis on professional development and low turnover.
  • Collegial and collaborative work environment.
  • Comprehensive healthcare plans including medical, vision, and dental.
  • Competitive retirement plan with 401(k) and profit-sharing options.
  • Generous caregiver and vacation policies.
  • Wellness programs including gym facilities and telemedicine access.
  • Flexible hybrid work model with minimal in-office requirements.
Full Job Description
Gould & Ratner is seeking a strategic, results-oriented Director of Business Development to lead the firm's business development function and drive its next phase of growth. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and serving on the Executive Leadership Team, the Director develops and executes the firm's business development strategy, strengthens client relationships, and advances the firm's strategic growth objectives.

This is a highly visible, hands-on leadership role requiring strategic vision and disciplined execution. The Director works closely with firm leadership, Practice Group Chairs, and attorneys to translate strategic priorities into measurable business results.

RESPONSIBILITIES
• Develop and execute the firm's business development strategy in alignment with firm priorities and market opportunities.
• Partner with the COO, Executive Leadership Team, and Practice Group Chairs to develop and evaluate strategic business plans for each practice group.
• Lead firmwide client development initiatives, including cross-selling, client teams, key-client programs, and client feedback efforts.
• Coach attorneys and hold them accountable for identifying opportunities, executing consistently, and achieving business development objectives.
• Lead client transition, succession, and lateral integration plans that preserve client relationships and accelerate growth.
• Lead the firm's pitches, proposals, RFP responses, and other strategic business development pursuits.
• Oversee the firm's CRM, experience management, and related business development technologies, including the responsible use of AI to strengthen data-informed decision-making.
• Provide market analysis and competitive insight that strengthens the firm's strategic decision-making and positioning.
• Develop and manage the business development budget, establish performance metrics, and report progress to firm leadership.
• Collaborate with the Director of Marketing and Chief Financial Officer on aligned initiatives and pricing strategy for major pursuits.

Requirements
• A minimum of eight years of progressive business development leadership experience within a law firm.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing business development strategies that produce measurable growth, including leading competitive pursuits and proposals.
• Experience coaching and influencing attorneys or other senior professionals in a partnership environment.
• Strong understanding of legal industry economics, client development, competitive positioning, CRM/business development technologies, analytics, and emerging AI tools.
• Excellent communication, presentation, relationship-building, organizational, and project management skills.
• A bachelor's degree; an MBA, JD, or other advanced degree is a plus.

Benefits
• Base salary range: $150,000 - $180,000, commensurate with experience. Bonus eligible.
• Emphasis on professional development.
• Low turnover, collegial and collaborative environment.
• Healthcare (medical, vision, dental), life and long-term disability insurance.
• Competitive compensation, benefits package including 401k and profit sharing.
• Paid primary and secondary caregiver leave.
• Generous vacation, personal, & sick time allowance.
• Pre-tax commuter benefits and wellness programs (e.g., in-office gym and massages; 24/7 tele-medicine).
• Hybrid in-office/remote role. Gould & Ratner's current in-office policy requires attorneys & management to be in the office 10 days a month.

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