Business Development Manager

DLA Piper is, at its core, bold, exceptional, collaborative and supportive. Our people are the backbone, heart and soul of our firm. Wherever you are in your professional journey, DLA Piper is a place you can engage in meaningful work and grow your career. Lets see what we can achieve. Together. Summary The Transactions Special Projects BD & Marketing Manager, working in collaboration with and in support of the firm’s strategic initiatives, is part of our Business Development and Marketing team, which works closely with BD & Marketing leadership and partners on strategic growth initiatives. The Special Projects BD & Marketing Manager plays a critical role in supporting enterprise-wide marketing and business development initiatives that span practices, sectors, and geographies. This role is also designed to provide seamless coverage for marketing professionals on extended leave or during transitions and to assist teams managing high volumes of BD activity. The ideal candidate will be well-versed in firm systems, adaptable to shifting priorities, and focused on ensuring the continuity and execution of BD programs that drive client engagement and growth. Location This position can sit in our New York, Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, Northern Virginia, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Raleigh, San Diego, Seattle, Short Hills, Washington DC, or Wilmington office and offers a hybrid work schedule. Responsibilities Serve as a flexible, embedded resource supporting practice and sector groups when primary BD support is unavailable or additional executional bandwidth is needed. Collaborate with partners and BD leadership to maintain momentum on strategic business development initiatives, including client targeting, opportunity tracking, experience management, enhancing opportunity and experience tracking processes, and post-event/client follow-up. Work with Transactions BD & marketing team to identify priority gaps, triage coverage needs, and advance firmwide growth initiatives. Lead and support cross-practice and cross-sector projects that require coordination across multiple internal teams in alignment with client needs. Assist in developing and executing client-centric, data-informed programs and campaigns that contribute to cross-selling and relationship expansion. Collaborate with practice, sector, and global BD & marketing teams to ensure consistent delivery of the firm's value proposition across client interactions. Maintain fluency in key BD systems and tools, helping teams execute high-quality outputs with minimal ramp-up time. Champion the adoption of AI tools and innovative technologies to streamline BD processes and enhance deliverables, including developing team-specific AI solutions and conducting training to drive team-wide usage. Provide coverage for critical internal and external events, league tables, directory and award submissions, and firmwide visibility initiatives. Provide hands-on support for pitch and introductory materials across the Transactions practice groups, ensuring on-time, high-quality deliverables, especially during periods of peak demand. Other duties and special projects as assigned to support BD continuity and client development execution. Desired Skills The ideal candidate brings proven experience supporting client growth initiatives in a law firm or professional services environment, with a solid understanding of business development best practices. They demonstrate agility and the ability to quickly adapt to changing assignments, competing deadlines, and evolving team structures. A strategic thinker with strong execution skills, this individual can translate ideas into action while maintaining responsiveness, attention to detail, and quality under pressure. They possess strong executive presence and are comfortable engaging with senior lawyers and firm leadership. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills are essential, along with the ability to distill complex information into clear, compelling messaging. This role requires a collaborative, team-oriented mindset and the ability to work seamlessly across departments, practice groups, and regions. Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is required; experience with CRM and experience management platforms is a plus. Most importantly, the successful candidate will bring a growth mindset, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to continuous improvement in how we support our lawyers and deliver value to clients. Minimum Education Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, communications, business, or related field. Minimum Years Of Experience 6 years’ marketing or business development in a professional services environment. Essential Job Expectations While the specific job requirements of a DLA Piper position may vary depending upon scope of the job and area of specialty, there are certain universal requirements that are expected of all DLA Piper employees, which include but are not limited to: Effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, with clients, lawyers, business professionals, and third parties. Produce deliverables, answer phone calls, and reply to correspondence in an efficient and responsive manner. Provide timely, accurate, and quality work product. Successfully meet deadlines, expectations, and perform work duties as required. Foster positive work relationships. Comply with all firm policies and practices. Engage in both physical and sedentary activity, such as (a) working at a computer for extended periods of time, including on-screen reading and typing; (b) participating in digital/virtual conference calls; (c) participating in meetings as needed. Ability to work under pressure and manage competing demands in a fast-paced environment. Perform all other duties, tasks or projects as assigned. Physical Demands Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met. Work Environment The individual selected for this position may have the opportunity for a hybrid work arrangement comprised of remote and in-office work, the requirement for which will be determined in coordination with the hiring manager or supervisor and may be modified in the firm’s discretion in the future. Disclaimer The purpose of this job description is to provide a concise statement of the work elements and to organize and present the information in a standardized way. It is not intended to describe all the elements of the work that may be performed by every individual in this classification, nor should it serve as the sole criteria for personnel decisions and actions. The job duties, requirements, and expectations for this position may be modified at the Firm’s discretion at any time. This job description does not change the at-will nature of employment. Accommodation Reasonable accommodations may be made upon request to permit individuals with a disability to perform the essential functions and responsibilities of the position or to participate in the job selection process. If you have a request for an accommodation during the application process, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io. The firm’s expected hiring range for this position is $129,808 - $197,799 per year depending on the candidate’s geographic market location. The compensation offered for employment will also be dependent on other factors including the candidate’s experience, skills, educational and professional background, and overall qualifications. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k). Applicants who are not based in the jurisdiction in which this position is posted and who apply for this role are doing so voluntarily and are not eligible for relocation assistance. Any relocation benefits, if any, are provided only where a relocation is required at the firm’s direction and in accordance with applicable policy and law. DLA Piper is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. #J-18808-Ljbffr