Business Development Manager – Emerging Companies and Venture Capital

Job Description:

About This Role:

• Identifies, evaluates and develops relationships with industry groups, accelerators and university programs where promising emerging companies are developing and could utilize the firm’s legal services.
• Regularly engages with and visits universities and other startup venues with the goal of building long term relationships and referral sources.
• Attends key events and evaluates opportunities to sponsor programs and host events (in firm's offices or virtually) in order to network, grow visibility and gather market intelligence.
• Updates CRM system to track activity and communications with new and existing contacts and uncover internal connections (“who knows whom”).
• Performs research on prospective clients, investors, industry sectors and market trends to inform activities and educate internal audiences.
• Screens potential clients to understand their needs and alignment with QuickLaunch or general client criteria; facilitates introductions to lawyers, investors and service providers as appropriate.
• Offers guidance to select existing clients and contacts of the firm seeking feedback on business plans, capital raising and competitive landscape.
• Maps existing relationships with venture capitalists and early-stage investors to understand connections and potential gaps, tracks personnel moves and referrals and recommends and deploys tactics to expand and enhance these relationships.
• Provides updates and meets regularly with partners to report on progress, share leads and referrals, present new opportunities, prompt follow-up activities and receive feedback on efforts.
• Secures and supports speaking engagements and other hands-on opportunities for lawyers to build their profiles among target audiences.
• Generates and promotes new content including presentations, blog posts, event and marketing material.
• Continues to develop the QuickLaunch platform, Launch website and related marketing and social media efforts.
• Reports on deal activity for inclusion in key league tables including PitchBook and promotes rankings, awards and other recognition.
• Contributes to relevant legal directory submissions and award nominations.
• Maintains a deep understanding of the firm’s capabilities, experience, differentiators and competitors.
• Tracks and analyzes metrics related to efforts and impact and provides monthly and quarterly progress reports to partners.
• Work with practice groups to implement business development projects and initiatives to support new business development goals.
• Leverage the firm’s experience and industry knowledge to develop pitches and presentations that are responsive to companies’ specific needs.
• Work with the Clients & Markets Department infrastructure to regularly update web and print marketing collateral, including practice group descriptions, matter/case lists and biographies.
• Lead on various aspects of lateral partner onboarding and practice group strategic planning.
• Sees and deploys collaboration with colleagues as a critical factor in service excellence.
• Performs special projects as requested by Business Development leadership team.

Job Requirements:

Required Skills

• Deep understanding of the startup culture and ability to offer strategic guidance to founders and entrepreneurs.
• Ability to support business development initiatives across multiple transactional practice groups, ensuring alignment with firm-wide goals.
• Knowledge of venture capital industry, tech sectors, fundraising trends and business models.
• Knowledge of transactional practices, including M&A, private equity, capital market, and others.
• Familiarity with and existing relationships in the startup ecosystem in the Bay Area.
• Skilled at networking, building relationships and making connections with a broad range of constituents.
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently while securing buy-in and engaging decision-makers at key times to validate approach.
• Excellent written, presentation and oral communication skills.
• Experience with CRM system, Salesforce or other pipeline management tools is preferable.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with high expectations for attention to detail and quality.

Required Experience

• Minimum of eight+ years of experience in legal, technology, management, or market analysis environment preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in venture capital, accelerator/incubator program management or in a business development capacity at a mature startup or startup-focused professional services firm.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required