Business Development Specialist Private Capital Transactions

About Ropes & Gray

Ropes & Gray is a preeminent global law firm, consistently ranked among the best. The firm boasts approximately 2,500 lawyers and professionals across major business and finance centers worldwide, including Boston, Chicago, London, New York, and San Francisco. Recognized for leading practices in areas such as asset management, private equity, M&A, finance, and intellectual property, Ropes & Gray is committed to being an equal opportunity employer.

Overview of the Role

The Business Development department at Ropes & Gray is focused on growing firm revenue and increasing market share by collaborating with partners, attorneys, and business colleagues. This involves enhancing existing client relationships through industry and practice group efforts, as well as developing new client pursuits. The business development team is a specialized function offering support in new business pursuit, key account management, BD skills & coaching, pitches and proposals, and client feedback.

As a Business Development Specialist Private Capital Transactions, you will be an integral member of this team, working under the direction of the Senior Business Development Manager (SBDM). Your role will involve providing strategic, commercial, and practical support for implementing business and client development priorities. You are expected to collaborate globally to support the development and execution of integrated marketing and business development plans that aim to grow Ropes & Gray’s market share, increase brand visibility, attract new clients, and enhance client satisfaction and loyalty.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the SBDM in developing and executing business development and marketing efforts to generate new business and improve market visibility for the Private Capital Transactions group.
• Understand the Private Capital Transactions group’s ambitions and help identify, assess, and pursue new clients.
• Assist the SBDM in maintaining internal reporting and communication frameworks to track progress and share outcomes, communicating best practice business development activities across the group.
• Drive the development of existing client relationships in collaboration with other business support colleagues, including organizing and participating in business development meetings and managing aspects of client and target development.
• Develop a strong knowledge of the Private Capital Transactions group by commissioning and conducting business research to stay abreast of industry/market intelligence, proactively sharing insights with the SBDM and team.
• Support pitching and new business generation by assisting the SBDM in project managing pitches, proposals, and RFPs, ensuring timely completion, document storage, and follow-up, including maintaining up-to-date content and tracking wins/losses.
• Work with the SBDM, marketing team, and other business support colleagues to identify opportunities for integrated branding and profile-raising campaigns, assess market conference opportunities, and advise lawyers on participation and execution.
• Identify appropriate client and market targets for knowledge marketing delivery.
• Build a good working knowledge of adjacent practice and industry group services, understanding relevant group strategies, priorities, and clients, and support the SBDM in monitoring market opportunities and trends.
• Support the SBDM in onboarding and mentoring new team members and assist with attorney-facing business development training initiatives as needed.

Qualifications and Skills

This role requires a highly motivated professional capable of thriving in an international, fast-paced legal environment, demonstrating:

• Superior client service orientation.
• Ability to quickly establish credibility with the SBDM and key stakeholders through a knowledgeable approach.
• Effective and efficient teamwork, with enthusiasm for developing relationships across all levels.
• Self-starter capability in a dynamic environment.
• Commercially minded and solutions-oriented approach.
• Excellent organization, communication, and project management skills.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with attorneys and business professionals, with experience writing in a professional services environment.
• Capability to work to clear goals, multi-task, and meet multiple deadlines.
• Creativity and flexibility in managing workload and priorities to respond quickly to shifting demands.
• Initiative to continuously seek areas for improvement and implement positive change.
• Ability to thrive in a challenging and dynamic environment.

Compensation and Working Conditions

Ropes & Gray offers a comprehensive Total Rewards package, including health and well-being benefits, professional development, career growth opportunities, and a collegial culture. The anticipated pay range for this role in Boston is $77,000 - $117,450, with eligibility for a discretionary bonus based on performance. The actual offer will depend on job-related factors, qualifications, experience, and internal equity.

This position requires a hybrid on-site presence in Boston, MA, as an essential function of the role, ensuring business continuity, professional development, and effective collaboration.

Key skills/competency

• Business Development Strategy
• Client Relationship Management
• Market Research & Intelligence
• Proposal & Pitch Management
• Legal Services Marketing
• Strategic Planning
• Cross-functional Collaboration
• Communication Skills
• Project Management
• Private Capital Transactions