Assistant Director: Pitches and Proposals

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 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 Assistant Director: Pitches and Proposals. 

The Assistant Director of Pitches and Proposals assists in directing the strategic vision and response approach to high-value RFP/RFI and new business opportunities in support of the Firm’s growth.  This role oversees the Firm’s Proposal Center and is responsible for producing compelling and effective proposals as well as targeted pitch and presentation materials.

Essential Functions: 

• Leads and manages the RFP and pitch/proposal collaborative process providing strategic and tactical advice on new business opportunities with partners, including go-no-go discussions, and impart strategic direction to business development colleagues and the Proposal Center team
• Coaches lawyers and department team members on best practices in the creation and delivery of compelling pitches and proposals, identifying key issues and strategies to provide responses tailored to the target’s needs
• Leads and facilitates key new business pursuit presentations and RFP finalist presentation preparation to support the win strategy through completion and debrief
• Oversees the development of work plans and templates in concert with Proposal Center team, to support multiple and concurrent deadlines
• Provides direction on overall process and quality control for all pursuit materials, including writing, editing and applying the firm’s style guide and brand standards to proposal documents
• Oversees the management, training and development of the Firm’s Proposal Center team, with an eye towards collaboration and professional development as well as best-in-class service and work product
• Collaborates with department team members to analyze the firm’s pitch and proposal data to regularly provide ROI and metrics to firm management
• Collaborates with department resources on the periodic refresh of firm content to include new writing, revisions and overseeing SME reviews on deadline
• Consults with firm leadership, department and other business services teams and other stakeholders on high-profile projects
• Performs other duties as assigned or required to meet Firm goals and objectives

Education/Training/Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Research, Communications or related field, required
• Advanced degree (e.g., a Master’s degree, a Ph.D., an M.B.A., or a J.D.) is preferred

Professional Experience:

• 10+ years of experience in pitch and proposal strategy, writing and management roles in pursuit of new business, preferably in a professional services setting

Technical Skills:

• Strong MS Office experience (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Acrobat), required
• Experience with proposal generation system(s), preferred
• Knowledge of Foundation, a plus
• Experience with online RFP portals, a plus
• Strong research skills and familiarity with public and proprietary data sources, a plus

Performance Traits:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, able to communicate effectively and in a professional manner with all levels of the Firm and outside vendors
• Ability to work in a diverse team environment and effectively support the demanding needs of the Firm
• Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines with shifting priorities
• Must be a self-starter with a high level of initiative
• Strong customer service skills, able to anticipate needs and exercise independent judgment
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects
• Maintains confidentiality and exercises discretion
• Demonstrates solid strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
• Familiarity with accepted research techniques and databases typically used for competitive intelligence in a professional services company

Management Accountabilities:

• Manages processes for direct reports with respect to performance appraisals, annual compensation, goal setting and performance counselling
• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience
• Operational budget analysis and recommendations
• Conducts analysis of staffing levels and participation in the recruitment process
• Able to determine and implement change processes to improve workflow efficiencies
• Process- and service-oriented with strong leadership and project management skills
• Able to set priorities and delegate in an efficient manner

The typical pay scale for this position is between $168,700 and $223,100, although the actual wage or salary could be lower or higher if the candidate’s education, experience, skills and internal pay alignment are different from those specified. 

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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