Business Development Specialist - New Business

About Latham & Watkins

Latham & Watkins is a global law firm consistently ranked among the top firms in the world. The firm's success is largely determined by its commitment to hire and develop the very best and brightest, creating a team that provides clients with the highest quality of work and service. Latham & Watkins is driven by its core values: respect, innovation, and collaboration.

About The Role

The Business Development Specialist - New Business is an integral part of Latham’s Business Development team. This role involves working closely with Business Development teams and partners to develop and deliver high-quality proposal documents, while conducting information gathering sessions with relevant BD teams and partners to clarify requirements, client needs, and approach. This position is located in either the New York, Boston, Chicago, or Washington D.C. office and may be eligible for a flexible working schedule that allows for a hybrid and in-office presence.

Responsibilities & Qualifications

Key responsibilities for the Business Development Specialist - New Business include:

• Drafting, editing, and finalizing external-facing business development materials such as credentials statements, pitch documents, and responses to Requests for Proposals (RFP), Requests for Information (RFI), and Invitations to Tender (ITT).
• Collaborating with BD teams, lawyers, and firm resources in gathering and compiling information for credentials statements, pitch documents, and responses to RFPs.
• Analyzing RFP/RFI/ITT request documents to elicit compliance requirements, instructions, evaluation criteria, and undertaking other bid management tasks such as developing bid plans and templates.
• Liaising with internal subject matter experts to produce high-quality documents.
• Working with relevant BD teams to maintain and update standard materials such as templates, content, biographies, and experience within the firm’s proposal management system and databases, ensuring best practices are maintained and shared.
• Coordinating with internal business development resources to ensure that business development activities are collaborative and consistent.
• Protecting and maintaining any highly sensitive, confidential, privileged, financial, and/or proprietary information that Latham & Watkins retains.

Latham & Watkins is looking for candidates who:

• Display knowledge of bid team/bid environment and the ability to utilize bid management tools.
• Possess the ability to self-motivate and adhere to deadlines.
• Exhibit the ability to work in a high-pressure environment.

Qualifications include:

• A high school diploma or an equivalent; a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent, preferably.
• A minimum of three (3) years of relevant work experience.
• A minimum of three (3) years of experience in developing and managing credentials, proposals, tenders, or other written sales tools, preferably.
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience at a law firm, professional services, or related industry, preferably.

Benefits & Additional Information

Successful candidates will be provided with an outstanding career opportunity and a welcoming environment, along with a generous total compensation package with bonuses awarded in recognition of both individual and firm performance. Eligible employees can participate in Latham’s comprehensive benefit program which includes:

• Healthcare, life and disability insurance.
• A generous 401k plan.
• At least 11 paid holidays per year, and a PTO program that accrues 23 days during the first year of employment and grows with tenure.
• Well-being programs (e.g., mental health services, mindfulness and resiliency, medical resources, well-being events, and more).
• Professional development programs.
• Employee discounts.
• Affinity groups, networks, and coalitions for lawyers and staff.

Key skills/competency

• Proposal Development
• Bid Management
• RFP/RFI/ITT Response
• Content Creation
• Strategic Planning
• Client Needs Assessment
• Legal Industry Knowledge
• Collaboration
• Deadline Management
• Confidentiality