Marketing & Business Development Senior Specialist

Summary

The California offices (Los Angeles, Palo Alto, and San Francisco) of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP are looking for an experienced Marketing & Business Development Senior Specialist to support the Client Development and Marketing team. Willkie is an elite international law firm of approximately 1,200 lawyers located in 15 offices in six countries. 

The ideal candidate will have at least 4-5 years of experience in a professional services business development or marketing role, preferably within a law firm. The Marketing & Business Development Senior Specialist will support partners and firm initiatives through a wide range of marketing, business development, client events, and administrative efforts. The successful candidate will be a dynamic, detail-oriented team player with strong writing, project management, and client service skills.

At Willkie, we believe great people are the key to our success. As such, we are offering a highly competitive compensation package with exceptional benefits. If you are looking to work in a friendly, collaborative environment that affords unique opportunities to expand your professional development, this role is for you.

Responsibilities

• Marketing and Business Development Support

   

  • Produce tailored pitch materials and proposals, including relevant and compelling firm messaging, experience, and accolades, in line with firm brand guidelines
  • Support RFP processes, including liaising with other firm departments
  • Work with the business development team to manage activities and experience of attorneys, including development of business plans and assisting with tracking and follow-up of new business opportunities
  • Maintain BD prospects lists, and track BD efforts, opportunities and outcomes
  • Oversee production of marketing requests (newsletters, ads, invitations) with Graphic Designers as needed.
  • Maintain and update website pages, pitch templates, and practice descriptions for timely access.
  • Coordinate and support the directories process, including producing draft submissions and reference lists for manager review; tracking timelines, deadlines and researcher assignments; coordinating communications and interviews; and related efforts
  • Coordinate and execute attorney photo shoots, including all logistics
  • Support additional profile-raising activities from time to time as determined by the needs of the firm

   

  Client Events, Conferences, Speaking Engagements and Sponsorships

   

  • Plan and execute firm-hosted client events in collaboration with partners and the Events team
  • Coordinate with appropriate venues, vendors and internal stakeholders regarding all aspects of events, including budgets, timelines, program materials, logistics, invitations, nametags, handouts, signage, promotional items, catering, AV set-up, booking of appropriate rooms/layout, etc.
  • Support third-party event sponsorships and speaking engagements
  • Identify external conference speaking opportunities for attorneys by monitoring event calendars, trade and legal publications, competitor websites and business news
  • Maintain events calendar for designated partners and practices

   

  Communications and Public Relations

   

  • Identify, draft and manage award submissions for designated partners and practices
  • Maintain an awards calendar for designated partners and practices
  • Liaise with the Communications team to ensure all recognitions are announced on the Firm’s website and social channels

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree is required.
• 4 - 5 years of relevant experience in a BD role in a professional services firm environment; law firm experience in a Litigation practice area and/or subject-matter knowledge of multiple Litigation practice disciplines is strongly preferred (including, among others, Commercial, Investigations & Enforcement, White-Collar Defense, Antitrust & Competition, Intellectual Property, Securities Litigation & Enforcement).
• Familiarity with court systems, regulators, and litigation-specific resources (e.g., Lex Machina, Bloomberg Law, CapitalIQ)
• Process-oriented with strong time and project management skills; ability to prioritize and work within tight deadlines
• Effective communicator and collaborator with all levels of firm personnel.
• Must demonstrate reliability and build trust through consistent performance and responsiveness with attorneys, fellow Client Development & Marketing team members and other firm departments
• Strong critical thinking skills, with the ability to connect information across platforms and pro