Business Development Specialist

About Us:

Ballard Spahr is a renowned national law firm with more than 750 lawyers across 18 offices in the United States. A career at Ballard Spahr offers a diverse group of mentors, colleagues, friends, and strong leadership that provides support and encouragement for career growth.

This position supports business development for the Emerging Companies and Venture Capital (ECVC) practice group and coordinates the BASE (Ballard Academy for Student Entrepreneurs) program. It involves interacting with the Business Development Team, attorneys, clients, mentors, and student entrepreneurs.

The role requires a service-minded individual who can solve problems independently, manage priorities, and meet deadlines. A collaborative and inclusive approach is essential, along with strong relationship-building skills and an understanding of the Firm's culture. Attention to detail and a sense of urgency are critical, as the position involves significant administrative and project support.This position has a flexible hybrid working environment; however, must be based in identified markets with availability to come into the office at request.

Why Join Us?

• Innovative Work Environment: Become part of a forward-thinking firm that enjoys substantial support and visibility from the firm's executive leadership.

• Professional Development: Take advantage of continuous learning opportunities and avenues for career growth.

• Inclusion: Join a Business Resource Group and share cultural, experiential, or job-related interests, experiences, and/or backgrounds.

• Impactful Contributions: Play a pivotal role in developing industry-leading solutions that make a significant difference in legal practice and client service.

Your Role:

As a Business Development Specialist within our Marketing & Business Development Department, your responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Overseeing and marketing the BASE program, including drafting communication materials

• Communicate and develop relationships with university executives and staff at business schools and in entrepreneurial programs to ensure a steady flow of applications

• Initial review of BASE applications

• Communicate with BASE applicants and those accepted in the BASE program during the entirety of the program

• Monitor the quality and satisfaction of each BASE participant, including periodic check-ins and maintenance of a status report for each BASE participant

• Troubleshoot any BASE client issues throughout the program

• Help transition BASE clients to full time clients post programs

• Provide proactive and organized business development (BD)support to the ECVC attorneys to achieve objectives set in the ECVC business plan

• Organize, track, and report BD opportunities in the firm's CRM and discuss with lawyers the outcome and follow up

• Manage and drive pitches, proposals, and client presentation materials

• Track transactions in the firm's experience database to ensure experience is accurately profiled

• Develop and maintain marketing collateral, including flyers, brochures, experience, presentations, transaction lists, external website, and lawyer biographies, ensuring materials are always up-to-date

• Manage award and ranking opportunities and make recommendations. Collaborate on drafting the related submissions

• Collaborate closely with the broader marketing and BD team as it relates to events, sponsorships, and industry initiatives

What We're Looking For:

• Growth Mindset: Self-motivated with a passion for continuous learning and problem-solving.

• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication abilities.

• Detail-Oriented: Keen attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines independently.

Required Experience:

We expect the successful candidate to possess an undergraduate degree and at least four years of experience in a law firm or another professional services firm. Experience in an entrepreneurial or start-up practice is highly preferred. The candidate must be able to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion. Strong proficiency in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, along with a keen attention to detail, is required. Additionally, experience in event coordination, marketing, and/or communications functions is essential. The candidate should demonstrate excellent organizational skills, strong interpersonal relations, and effective written and oral communication abilities, as well as a strong customer service attitude. The ability to work well under pressure and solve problems effectively is crucial. Candidates must be able to organize and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines and should be capable of quickly learning the basics of new technological applications. Some travel may be required. Regular and predictable attendance is a core requirement of this position, and candidates must be willing to work beyond standard scheduled hours when necessary.

Ballard Spahr offers an excellent benefits package that includes medical, fertility benefits, travel and lodging expenses, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage; life insurance, short and long-term disability; 401(k) retirement savings plan with a firm contribution and match; and a generous paid time off program.Additional benefits provided are health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts, and a health savings account; paid parental leave, firm subsidized emergency child and elder care services; family and medical leave; employee assistance program; and a pre-tax transportation program.The salary range for this position is from $75,000-$85,000, depending on experience and location.

Ready to Grow with Us?

If you are ready to play a vital role in the Firm's success, we encourage you to apply and be a part of our commitment to excellence.

At Ballard Spahr, we believe that our skills, perspectives, and backgrounds drive innovation and excellence, while our unique culture fosters collaboration and success. Our culture of thriving together forms the cornerstone of how we deliver exceptional service and position our firm for a strong future. We welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.

Ballard Spahr is an equal opportunity employer. We offer equal consideration to all qualified applicants, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, age, national origin, handicap or disability, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, transgender status, sex stereotyping, genetic information, ancestry, veteran status or any other category protected by applicable law.

The firm is not accepting resumes from search firms for this position.