Proposal/Business Development Specialist

Mayer Brown is an international law firm positioned to represent the world’s major corporations, funds, and financial institutions in their most important and complex transactions and disputes. We are recognized by our clients as strategic partners with deep commercial instincts and a commitment to creatively anticipating their needs and delivering excellence in everything we do.

We are a collegial, collaborative, and diverse firm where highly motivated individuals with an unwavering commitment to excellence receive the opportunity, support, and development they need to grow, thrive, and realize their greatest potential all while supporting the Firm’s client service principles of excellence, strategic partnership, commercial instinct, integrated strengths, innovation, and collaboration across our international firm.

If you enjoy working with team members whose defining characteristics are exceptional client service, initiative, professionalism, responsiveness, and adaptability, you may be the person we are seeking to join our Business Development and Marketing department in our Chicago office as a Proposal/Business Development Specialist.

The Proposal/Business Development Specialist contributes to creating industry-leading, multi-practice pitch and proposal materials and assisting with other departmental initiatives. This individual will collaborate with Proposal Center team members, business development colleagues and lawyers to jointly develop materials in response to client and lawyer requests.

Essential Functions:

• Creates and compiles materials for client-facing deliverables (pitches, capabilities statements, proposals and presentations, and other marketing collateral):
  • Participates in discussions to outline content direction and arrive at messaging and win themes
  • Researches client information, precedent material and other marketing assets to integrate into deliverables
  • Communicates with business development colleagues, lawyers and others to request content, solicit reviews
  • Drafts, edits, proofreads and compiles materials, sometimes as lead writer/project coordinator
  • Creates proposal project plans to identify required components and manage deadlines
• Assists with tasks related to the proposal generation tool as well as other information repositories
• Assists pitch and proposal reporting across the BD&M Department and drives best practices
• Performs other duties as assigned

Education/Training/Certifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Marketing, English or a communication field

Professional Experience:

• At least 4 years of work experience in marketing, writing and project/production management in the professional services arena (e.g., law, accounting, or consulting) or in a comparable position in the corporate, trade association or academic sectors
• Law firm and pitch/proposal experience a plus

Technical Skills: 

• Strong writing and editing skills; attention to detail
• Strong project management capabilities; ability to work effectively under tight deadlines
• Strong MS Office experience (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is required
• Experience with proposal generation system and/or desktop publishing a plus

Performance Traits: 

• Excellent interpersonal skills – must have a mature, professional and personable presentation and demeanor
• Strong organizational skills and ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously
• Demonstrates good judgment and problem-solving capabilities, a team-first and client-service orientation, and stamina
• Ability to work in an environment with shifting priorities and deadlines and ability to work well under pressure
• Ability to work well in a team as well as independently
• Flexibility to work additional hours as necessary
• Must be a self-starter with a high level of initiative
• Strong customer service skills, able to anticipate needs and exercise independent judgment and problem-solving skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Maintains confidentiality and exercises discretion

Physical Requirements:

• May require occasional lifting of up to 20 lbs

The above is a general description of the essential duties associated with this position and does not represent an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all duties.

The Firm may modify and amend this job description at any time at its sole discretion. Nothing herein creates a contract of employment or otherwise modifies the at-will nature of employment.

We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, including medical/dental/vision/life/and AD&D insurance, 401 (k) savings plan, back-up childcare and eldercare, generous paid time off (PTO), as well as opportunities for professional development and growth.

Thank you for your interest in Mayer Brown. We are committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities and disabled veterans. To request a reasonable accommodation related to the application process and/or job interview, please email uslateralrecruiting@mayerbrown.com. 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.

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