Director of Business Development

Gould & Ratner is seeking a strategic, results-oriented Director of Business Development to lead the firm’s business development function and drive its next phase of growth. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and serving on the Executive Leadership Team, the Director develops and executes the firm’s business development strategy, strengthens client relationships, and advances the firm’s strategic growth objectives.This is a highly visible, hands-on leadership role requiring strategic vision and disciplined execution. The Director works closely with firm leadership, Practice Group Chairs, and attorneys to translate strategic priorities into measurable business results.RESPONSIBILITIES• Develop and execute the firm’s business development strategy in alignment with firm priorities and market opportunities.• Partner with the COO, Executive Leadership Team, and Practice Group Chairs to develop and evaluate strategic business plans for each practice group.• Lead firmwide client development initiatives, including cross-selling, client teams, key-client programs, and client feedback efforts.• Coach attorneys and hold them accountable for identifying opportunities, executing consistently, and achieving business development objectives.• Lead client transition, succession, and lateral integration plans that preserve client relationships and accelerate growth.• Lead the firm’s pitches, proposals, RFP responses, and other strategic business development pursuits.• Oversee the firm’s CRM, experience management, and related business development technologies, including the responsible use of AI to strengthen data-informed decision-making.• Provide market analysis and competitive insight that strengthens the firm’s strategic decision-making and positioning.• Develop and manage the business development budget, establish performance metrics, and report progress to firm leadership.• Collaborate with the Director of Marketing and Chief Financial Officer on aligned initiatives and pricing strategy for major pursuits.Requirements• A minimum of eight years of progressive business development leadership experience within a law firm.• Demonstrated success developing and executing business development strategies that produce measurable growth, including leading competitive pursuits and proposals.• Experience coaching and influencing attorneys or other senior professionals in a partnership environment.• Strong understanding of legal industry economics, client development, competitive positioning, CRM/business development technologies, analytics, and emerging AI tools.• Excellent communication, presentation, relationship-building, organizational, and project management skills.• A bachelor’s degree; an MBA, JD, or other advanced degree is a plus.Benefits• Base salary range: $150,000 - $180,000, commensurate with experience. Bonus eligible.• Emphasis on professional development.• Low turnover, collegial and collaborative environment.• Healthcare (medical, vision, dental), life and long-term disability insurance.• Competitive compensation, benefits package including 401k and profit sharing.• Paid primary and secondary caregiver leave.• Generous vacation, personal, & sick time allowance.• Pre-tax commuter benefits and wellness programs (e.g., in-office gym and massages; 24/7 tele-medicine).• Hybrid in-office/remote role. Gould & Ratner's current in-office policy requires attorneys & management to be in the office 10 days a month.Gould & Ratner LLP is an equal opportunity employer.

Gould & Ratner is seeking a strategic, results-oriented Director of Business Development to lead the firm’s business development function and drive its next phase of growth. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and serving on the Executive Leadership Team, the Director develops and executes the firm’s business development strategy, strengthens client relationships, and advances the firm’s strategic growth objectives.

This is a highly visible, hands-on leadership role requiring strategic vision and disciplined execution. The Director works closely with firm leadership, Practice Group Chairs, and attorneys to translate strategic priorities into measurable business results.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and execute the firm’s business development strategy in alignment with firm priorities and market opportunities.

• Partner with the COO, Executive Leadership Team, and Practice Group Chairs to develop and evaluate strategic business plans for each practice group.

• Lead firmwide client development initiatives, including cross-selling, client teams, key-client programs, and client feedback efforts.

• Coach attorneys and hold them accountable for identifying opportunities, executing consistently, and achieving business development objectives.

• Lead client transition, succession, and lateral integration plans that preserve client relationships and accelerate growth.

• Lead the firm’s pitches, proposals, RFP responses, and other strategic business development pursuits.

• Oversee the firm’s CRM, experience management, and related business development technologies, including the responsible use of AI to strengthen data-informed decision-making.

• Provide market analysis and competitive insight that strengthens the firm’s strategic decision-making and positioning.

• Develop and manage the business development budget, establish performance metrics, and report progress to firm leadership.

• Collaborate with the Director of Marketing and Chief Financial Officer on aligned initiatives and pricing strategy for major pursuits.

Requirements

• A minimum of eight years of progressive business development leadership experience within a law firm.

• Demonstrated success developing and executing business development strategies that produce measurable growth, including leading competitive pursuits and proposals.

• Experience coaching and influencing attorneys or other senior professionals in a partnership environment.

• Strong understanding of legal industry economics, client development, competitive positioning, CRM/business development technologies, analytics, and emerging AI tools.

• Excellent communication, presentation, relationship-building, organizational, and project management skills.

• A bachelor’s degree; an MBA, JD, or other advanced degree is a plus.

Benefits

• Base salary range: $150,000 - $180,000, commensurate with experience. Bonus eligible.

• Emphasis on professional development.

• Low turnover, collegial and collaborative environment.

• Healthcare (medical, vision, dental), life and long-term disability insurance.

• Competitive compensation, benefits package including 401k and profit sharing.

• Paid primary and secondary caregiver leave.

• Generous vacation, personal, & sick time allowance.

• Pre-tax commuter benefits and wellness programs (e.g., in-office gym and massages; 24/7 tele-medicine).

• Hybrid in-office/remote role. Gould & Ratner's current in-office policy requires attorneys & management to be in the office 10 days a month.

Gould & Ratner LLP is an equal opportunity employer.

Gould & Ratner is an 80-year old Chicago law firm with a team of over 50 attorneys, representing Fortune 500 corporations, closely held businesses, financial institutions, entrepreneurs and family businesses in diverse and complex matters throughout the world. Our team consists of a deep bench of sophisticated and experienced attorneys that provide exceptional legal services while affording our clients the benefits of working with an agile and entrepreneurial-minded team of result-oriented, well-rounded professionals.In this ever-changing and complex world, Gould & Ratner remains one of the few truly mid-size law firms in Chicago. Thus, while our work is as sophisticated and complex as the mega firms, our focus on tailored service is something only a smaller firm like ours can deliver. This allows us the unique ability to employ our multi-faceted approach to legal service for clients of every size and in every industry.

Gould & Ratner is an 80-year old Chicago law firm with a team of over 50 attorneys, representing Fortune 500 corporations, closely held businesses, financial institutions, entrepreneurs and family businesses in diverse and complex matters throughout the world. Our team consists of a deep bench of sophisticated and experienced attorneys that provide exceptional legal services while affording our clients the benefits of working with an agile and entrepreneurial-minded team of result-oriented, well-rounded professionals.

In this ever-changing and complex world, Gould & Ratner remains one of the few truly mid-size law firms in Chicago. Thus, while our work is as sophisticated and complex as the mega firms, our focus on tailored service is something only a smaller firm like ours can deliver. This allows us the unique ability to employ our multi-faceted approach to legal service for clients of every size and in every industry.