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WilmerHale · 2 weeks ago

Business Development Manager - Emerging Companies and Venture Capital

San Francisco, CA

Full-time

Onsite

Senior Level, Lead/Staff

8+ years exp

WilmerHale is a leading, full-service international law firm with 1,000 lawyers located throughout 12 offices. The Business Development Manager is responsible for identifying and supporting revenue-generating opportunities for the firm’s emerging company and venture capital practice, developing relationships with startups and industry groups, and driving business development initiatives.

Intellectual PropertyLegalVenture Capital

Comp. & Benefits

Responsibilities

Identifies, evaluates and develops relationships with industry groups, accelerators and university programs where promising emerging companies are developing and could utilize the firm’s legal services

Regularly engages with and visits universities and other startup venues with the goal of building long term relationships and referral sources

Attends key events and evaluates opportunities to sponsor programs and host events (in WilmerHale offices or virtually) in order to network, grow WilmerHale visibility and gather market intelligence

Updates CRM system to track activity and communications with new and existing contacts and uncover internal connections (“who knows whom”)

Performs research on prospective clients, investors, industry sectors and market trends to inform activities and educate internal audiences

Screens potential clients to understand their needs and alignment with QuickLaunch or general WilmerHale client criteria; facilitates introductions to lawyers, investors and service providers as appropriate

Offers guidance to select existing clients and contacts of the firm seeking feedback on business plans, capital raising and competitive landscape

Maps existing relationships with venture capitalists and early-stage investors to understand connections and potential gaps, tracks personnel moves and referrals, and recommends and deploys tactics to expand and enhance these relationships

Provides updates and meets regularly with WilmerHale partners to report on progress, share leads and referrals, present new opportunities, prompt follow-up activities and receive feedback on efforts

Secures and supports speaking engagements and other hands-on opportunities for lawyers to build their profiles among target audiences

Generates and promotes new content including presentations, blog posts, event and marketing material

Continues to develop the QuickLaunch platform, WilmerHale Launch website and related marketing and social media efforts

Reports on deal activity for inclusion in key league tables including PitchBook and promotes rankings, awards and other recognition

Contributes to relevant legal directory submissions and award nominations

Maintains a deep understanding of the firm’s capabilities, experience, differentiators and competitors

Tracks and analyzes metrics related to efforts and impact and provides monthly and quarterly progress reports to WilmerHale partners

Work with practice groups to implement business development projects and initiatives to support new business development goals

Leverage the firm’s experience and industry knowledge to develop pitches and presentations that are responsive to companies’ specific needs

Work with the Clients & Markets Department infrastructure to regularly update web and print marketing collateral, including practice group descriptions, matter/case lists and biographies

Lead on various aspects of lateral partner onboarding and practice group strategic planning

Sees and deploys collaboration with colleagues as a critical factor in service excellence

Performs special projects as requested by Business Development leadership team

Qualification

Venture capital knowledgeStartup culture understandingBusiness development experienceCRM system experienceNetworking skillsCommunication skillsSelf-starterAttention to detail

Required

Deep understanding of the startup culture and ability to offer strategic guidance to founders and entrepreneurs

Ability to support business development initiatives across multiple transactional practice groups, ensuring alignment with firm-wide goals

Knowledge of venture capital industry, tech sectors, fundraising trends and business models

Knowledge of transactional practices, including M&A, private equity, capital market, and others

Familiarity with and existing relationships in the startup ecosystem in the Bay Area

Skilled at networking, building relationships and making connections with a broad range of constituents

Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently while securing buy-in and engaging decision-makers at key times to validate approach

Excellent written, presentation and oral communication skills

Experience with CRM system, Salesforce or other pipeline management tools is preferable

Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with high expectations for attention to detail and quality

Minimum of eight+ years of experience in legal, technology, management, or market analysis environment preferred

Minimum of 3 years' experience in venture capital, accelerator/incubator program management or in a business development capacity at a mature startup or startup-focused professional services firm

Bachelor's degree required