Associate Director, Business Development (M&A)

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About Us

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP has forged a reputation as one of the most prestigious law firms in the world. Relying on innovation, intellect, teamwork and tenacity, our lawyers deliver the highest quality advice and novel solutions to our clients’ legal issues. We are known for handling the most complex transactions, litigation/controversy issues, and regulatory matters, as well as for the strong partnerships we build with clients and each other. Our attorneys, who reflect a broad range of experiences and perspectives, work together seamlessly across 50-plus practices and 21 offices in the world’s major financial centers.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an Associate Director, Business Development (M&A) to join our Firm. This position will be based in our New York office (hybrid). Within this position, you will be responsible for initiating, designing and executing on the business development strategies for assigned core M&A practice(s). You will work closely with the Business Development Director, Transactional (BDDT), practice leaders, relevant partners and various members of the Business Development & Marketing (BDM) Department to enhance and protect existing client relationships and secure and realize new client relationships. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Works with relevant Practice Group Leaders and the BDDT to determine business development priorities and plans for the practices.
• Leads the development, execution and review of the relevant strategies and related initiatives for the related practices and lawyers.
• Leads and drives related revenue generation initiatives including client targeting, sales pipeline processes, sector initiatives and key account initiatives.
• Collaborates with colleagues across the Transactional Business Development Team, the Business Development, Litigation and Business Development, Regulatory team, and senior international business development leads on cross-practice and cross-border opportunities and efforts.
• Builds and manages a highly effective team of business development professionals supporting the assigned practices.
• Partners with the BDM leadership team to drive cross-functional projects and efforts to increase efficiency, collaboration, communication and visibility for both the department as well as the lawyers.
• Collaborates with various BDM functions to achieve business development, communications and marketing goals at the department, practice and individual attorney levels.
• Provides guidance to BDM team members in other functions responsible for a range of marketing projects to ensure highest quality work product in support Transactional practice market awareness, promotional and other marketing and communications activities, including development of new business proposals, awards/directory submissions, experience management and other marketing data collection initiatives, client and internal events, graphic and other design projects, among others.
• Works with senior lawyers providing coaching and guidance on business development initiatives.
• Collaborates with the relevant practice group managers to drive broader practice initiatives forward providing guidance through a business development lens.
• With other functional leaders of the BDM Department, ensures that marketing and communication strategies are aligned to BD goals and vice-versa; leveraging coordinated campaigns to achieve success.
• Maintains a strong and current understanding of law firm market trends, competitor activities, and client behaviors to inform strategies and tactics.
• Establishes and manages to key performance indicators across areas of responsibility to monitor progress and measure results.
• Develops and executes department strategies to shape topics including policy, culture, initiatives and other areas of strategic importance as directed by Firm leadership.
• Supports best practices, including leveraging current ones, to support enhanced communications, policies, practices, etc. at all Firm attorney and business services professional levels. Evaluates current efforts to identify opportunities for enhanced development and delivery strategies.
• Understands business needs and identifies alternatives on a quantitative and qualitative basis.
• Drives innovative approaches to effectively deliver department services in more efficient and effective ways.
• Has significant independence in the role and may independently manage certain aspects of the department's functions.
• Formalizes collaborative partnerships across departments to strengthen mutual interests that drives action and productivity