Senior Business Development Manager (Emerging Companies + Venture Capital)

Morrison Foerster LLP, an Am Law 50 law firm with 18 offices worldwide, has an opening for a Senior Business Development Manager in our San Francisco office!

The Opportunity

It's an exciting time to join MoFo in this brand new role! The Senior Business Development Manager works closely with the Emerging Companies + Venture Capital Practiceto develop and sustain a loyal client base and further the firm’s branding in the venture ecosystem.

• Collaborate with Emerging Companies + Venture Capital Practice leaders to develop and execute business development plans for the global practice.
• Develop and implement external and internal branding activities in order to raise firm visibility in the venture space.
• Develop, plan and execute on external and firm-branded events for the purposes of lead generation, client acquisition, and branding.

Create cohesive vision for global firm programming that targets the entrepreneurial and investment communities.

• Provide strategic and proactive advice around partnerships with external organizations in the venture ecosystem, including startup networks, incubators, accelerators, etc.
• Proactively participate in key venture industry programs and networks, identifying partnership channels to enhance the position of the firm in the marketplace.
• Create persuasive and impactful marketing materials and work with broader Business Development team to support pitch and proposal activities.
• Further develop and manage firmwide startup and venture capital referral system that can be leveraged to make new connections between investor and company clients.
• Support practice mechanics around matter collection and coordinate with team to report to league tables and update marketing materials.
• Conduct competitive intelligence and research of prospective targets, industries, markets, and conflicts via firmwide resources.
• Develop strong understanding of the firm ecosystem, build relationships with key Business Development leads in synergistic areas for the Emerging Companies + Venture Capital Practice, and proactively identify opportunities for cross-selling.
• Provide supportive coaching to junior Business Development team members.

Ideal Candidate

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field required.
• At least seven years of relevant experience in professional services marketing; law firm experience preferred.
• Thorough knowledge of the venture ecosystem, with direct work experience a plus.
• Strong knowledge of core marketing principles including driving innovative tools and programs, competitive intelligence, market research, and pitch and RFP responses.
• High degree of motivation, with driving sense of responsibility, accountability, and responsiveness.
• Excellent writing skills. Ability to focus written materials to ensure impact on general business, legal, and niche populations.
• Strong business acumen; the ability to recognize marketing and business development opportunities and to pursue them strategically.
• Excellent attention to detail in all areas, including writing, copy editing, researching, and managing data.
• Strong presentation and communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills; ability to manage multiple requests, assess priorities, and achieve solutions under deadlines.
• Ability to quickly assess information, anticipate issues and outcomes, and make effective decisions, including ability to draw clear conclusions from a diverse collection of data.
• Talent for creating client satisfaction; demonstrated ability to focus on the client value in all work.

Who We Are

At Morrison Foerster, our culture is defined by our deeds. We’re passionate about what we do. We’re equally passionate about how we do it.

We resist hierarchies and operate within a model of respect for our colleagues, their ideas, and the differences that make us stronger.

We encourage you to learn more about who we are, and what we do.