Business Development Manager - Investment Funds

Sidley Austin LLP seeks a Marketing professional to develop and oversee business development and marketing strategies for the firm’s Investment Funds practice groups. The role serves as a liaison to group leaders and manages BD initiatives. This position is based in New York, NY with a hybrid work arrangement, and offers a salary range of USD 140,000 to 176,000 per year.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with practice and industry leaders, along with other partners, to design and implement marketing and client development plans for the group and individual lawyers.
• Participate in and contribute to practice and industry group meetings and planning sessions.
• Identify and propose business development opportunities and trends using data analytics, competitive intelligence, industry trends, market analyses, and related resources.
• Assess the progression of business prospects and cross-marketing efforts, and provide recommendations to practice and industry leadership.
• Develop and refine the group’s business development infrastructure, including collateral, experience databases, matter lists, contact lists, and opportunity tracking, ensuring quality control and up-to-date materials; optimize processes and technology usage.
• Support group leaders in preparing and managing the BD budget; monitor initiatives and analyze ROI to guide future efforts.
• Coordinate with Market Intelligence to conduct industry and client research that informs practice development initiatives.
• Plan, implement, and follow up on new business or cross-marketing opportunities.
• Onboard and integrate lateral lawyer hires within the practice/industry, collaborating with the regional marketing team.
• Enter as project manager and key contributor on RFPs, pitches, and other BD projects for primary groups and others as needed.
• Lead briefing discussions to propose opportunities or to enhance understanding of opportunities.
• Draft new business proposals and deliver tailored responses to RFIs and RFPs.
• Advise on preparations and rehearsals for pitch teams.
• Support post-pitch follow-up and debrief activities, reporting outcomes to Firm leaders.
• Lead submissions for practice/industry rankings, awards, surveys, league tables, and other recognitions for assigned groups.
• Collaborate with Regional BD and Marketing teams to plan client programs and Sidley-sponsored events.
• Coordinate with Communications and PR to identify thought leadership topics and engage Sidley lawyers in media opportunities such as commentary, articles, and podcasts.
• Recommend and facilitate the involvement of Firm lawyers in professional organizations to raise visibility in relevant platforms.
• Participate in hiring, managing, and developing staff; oversee daily operations, monitor work product, and manage staff development, including goal setting, coaching, training, and annual performance appraisals.
• Delegate work efficiently to team members and monitor progress.
• Collaborate with other leaders and professionals within and outside the Marketing Department on cross-practice, regional, and cross-functional projects.

Requirements

• Minimum eight (8) years of professional marketing, business development, or related experience.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in marketing, communications, business or finance, or a related field.
• Excellent writing, proofreading, and critical thinking skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office and Outlook.

Technologies

• Microsoft Office
• Outlook
• InterAction
• Salesforce
• Foundation

Benefits

• Bonus eligibility
• Comprehensive benefits program

Other Skills and Abilities

• Strong organizational and prioritization skills
• Attention to detail
• Good judgment
• Excellent interpersonal communication abilities
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
• Ability to work harmoniously with others
• Discretion and confidentiality in handling sensitive information
• Resilience under pressure
• Ability to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities