Business Development Manager

Phelps, a 435+ lawyer firm with 17 offices across the U.S. and London, is seeking a curious, collaborative and solution-oriented business development (BD) manager to join our Client Development team. This position reports directly to the director of business development and works closely with the chief client development officer, other managers and the entire Client Development team.

BD managers collaborate closely and frequently with practice and working group leaders, lawyers at all levels and administrative departments to support a wide range of business development initiatives, including strategic planning, pitches and proposals, competitive intelligence and experience management.

Successful candidates will have five or more years of experience in business development in professional services, a growth mindset, the ability to learn quickly and a strong team-oriented approach, along with excellent communication and organizational skills. Candidates must be highly proficient in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and Word, with exceptional aptitude working with AI systems such as Copilot, CRM platforms such as HubSpot, experience management tools such as Litera Foundation and emerging technologies.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as BD lead for two of the firm’s six core practice areas, including regular meetings with practice area leaders to ensure consistent BD support
• Serve as BD lead for select working groups focused on emerging and trending areas of law, including monthly meetings with leadership to ensure group objectives are being met
• Serve as project manager for major proposals and pitches for existing and prospective clients
• Build, evaluate, research and maintain prospect lists for practice areas and working groups
• Research companies, executives, industries and markets
• Track experience and deals in firm systems
• Collaborate with events, communications and design teams to support practice and working groups with events, sponsorships and external communications

The candidate may work from any of the firm’s U.S. offices with a preference for New Orleans, LA; Dallas, TX; Tampa, FL; Baton Rouge, LA; Houston, TX; Raleigh, NC.  A writing test will be administered during the hiring process.

Travel: Approximately 10-20 percent, depending on location

Education and Experience Required

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, analytics or a related field required
• Five or more years of full-time experience in business development for professional services firms
• MBA, JD or relevant master’s degree preferred

Qualifications and Skills Required

• Ability to work remotely with team members
• Strong project management skills
• Self-starter with a track record of proactively creating processes and projects that benefit the broader team
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Excellent writing, communication and collaboration skills

Performance Measures

The BD manager will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects
• Feedback from practice and working group leaders and other lawyers
• Innovation and technological capabilities
• Proven communication skills
• Stellar writing and editing skills
• Creativity
• Ability to work effectively with attorneys at all levels and administrative staff