Am Law 200 firm Thompson Hine LLP, a full-service business law firm with over 400 lawyers in 10 offices that has been ranked number #1 among “Most innovative North American law firms,” is currently seeking a Marketing & Business Development Manager to join our new Minneapolis office. This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the growth and success of both our Minneapolis office and our Intellectual Property & Technology Litigation practice. The Marketing & Business Development Manager will play a key role in developing and executing thoughtful marketing strategies and business development initiatives in collaboration with attorneys and team members across the firm.

This position will work closely with the Minneapolis Office Partner in Charge (OPIC) and the Intellectual Property & Technology Litigation Practice Group Leader (PGL) and report directly to the firmwide Senior Marketing Operations Director. Responsibilities include developing, coordinating, and supporting initiatives that advance the firm’s business development and marketing efforts, ensuring alignment with overall strategic goals and priorities.

JOB FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Planning & Execution

• Assists in the preparation and implementation of office and practice group business plans; develops content, materials and programs to facilitate strategic decision-making, SWOT analysis and market-driven tactics; documents decisions and action plans; monitors and drives execution of plans.
• Gathers research about the firm, its lawyers, its existing clients, its potential clients and general economic trends and uses that information to develop strategies and increase profitability.
• Monitors and analyzes competitors’ activities and identifies best practices.
• Works with office and practice group leadership to prepare and track business development budgets.
• Develops strategies focused on regional market position and top-line growth and works with office leadership and lawyers to drive the execution of those strategies.
• Conducts research and analysis to enhance understanding of the market and opportunities as well as to support client development. Understands regional competitors, the local client base, and regional prospects to proactively help expand work for existing clients and target prospective clients.

Business Development

• Participates in assessing business development opportunities for the practice group and office including client targets, assignments to client service teams, etc.
• Assists lawyers with proposals and RFPs, providing background to support understanding of client needs and firm differentiators and tailor accordingly and working with the Finance Department to determine appropriate pricing strategies, including value pricing when appropriate.
• Assists individual lawyers in preparing and implementing business development plans.
• Assists in the development and review of collateral marketing materials.
• Works to identify cross-selling opportunities by analyzing data on current clients and market trends.

Marketing

• Identifies and facilitates promotional opportunities including practice group and regional distinction and recognition submissions, public speaking, publishing, newsworthy topics, events, sponsorships, etc.
• Assists in developing and maintaining practice group and office marketing collateral and provides updates to pages on firm website.
• Identifies organizations that are a good fit for the office and lawyers, cultivating relationships with professional and trade organizations, industry associations and educational institutions.
• Cultivates regional networking and referral sources that can contribute to business growth.
• Manages events, seminars (including CLE), sponsorships and conferences.
• Participates in other initiatives as needed.
• Assists with efforts related to the firmwide initiatives including SmartPaTH, LPM, value pricing, client service excellence and other client-facing areas the firm is leveraging to strengthen client relationships.
• Works with firm library resources to prepare background information on prospective clients including demographic, marketing and client research.
• Serves as a catalyst and provides business development support and guidance for the office’s sales/cross-selling initiatives and client service teams.
• Shares best practices with Marketing & Strategy peers and actively participates as a member of that team and a collaborator with all in the group.
• Works closely with the firm’s Associate Director of Public Relations to identify newsworthy ideas and develop a pipeline of ideas to pitch to the press.
• Assists attorneys with regularly updating their biographies.

Operational

• Works with PGL and OPIC to prepare agenda and materials for meetings
• Meets with PGL frequently, attends practice group meetings, and assists in preparing and facilitating practice group meetings and retreats.
• Meets with OPIC frequently, attends office meetings, and assists with preparing and facilitating office meetings and events.
• Oversees the maintenance of email lists (office and practice group).
• Conducts Marketing & Strategy orientation for all office new lawyer hires and works with the lawyer and others in the department to make sure all initial business development materials/tools are in place upon arrival (depending on the level of lawyer, examples include bio, announcement mailing and mailing list, identification of distinctions that should be retained in new materials, matters to be added to the database, etc.).
• Serves as on-site resource to ensure lawyers and staff are appropriately trained in marketing and business development tools and resources so they know what is available and how to access them.

Financial

• Works with the Finance Department to support the assessment and management of the practice group and office, their initiatives, and the efficiency and effectiveness of their operations including workload balancing and cross-office utilization.
• Prepares practice group and office budgets; forecasts, monitors and manages practice group and individual lawyer expenses.
• Reviews and analyzes the monthly financial reports prepared by the Finance Department. Prepares ad hoc financial analyses requested by the PGL or OPIC.

Recruiting & Integration

• Conducts practice group overview orientation meetings with new lawyers and assists in the smooth logistical transition to the firm, office and practice group.
• Prepares lateral partner and senior counsel integration plans and monitors progress.

Development & Staffing

• Reviews workload and utilization charts and reports to identify productivity issues and works with the PGL or OPIC to resolve those issues.
• Assists PGL and OPIC with personnel-related issues including identifying training and development needs, assisting with non-partner compensation and evaluation process, and coordinating personnel issues with the LPC.
• Assists PGL and OPIC in creating a team environment and improving motivation and morale by facilitated programs.
• Creates partner and non-partner (including newly elected partners) development plans in conjunction with the PGL and OPIC. Monitors and follows up with individual lawyers.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Training and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from a four-year college or university in marketing, public relations, communications, business or a related field.
• Minimum of five years’ relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience, ideally in the professional services industry, preferably legal.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Excellent communication skills (both verbal and written).
• Demonstrated strength in interacting and communicating with all levels of the firm.
• Proficient in all Microsoft Office software (i.e., Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint); capable of creating and maintaining PC directories and files of marketing documents.
• Willing to take responsibility for establishing and accomplishing performance objectives related to job description.
• Understanding of marketing and business development concepts and the needs and expectations of law firms.
• Attention to detail and ability to prioritize and see projects through from concept to completion.
• Continuously seeks ways to improve efficiencies through new processes, procedures or tools.
• Team player.
• Excellent customer service skills and telephone etiquette are mandatory.
• Regular attendance and punctuality are essential functions of this job.
• Possesses interpersonal skills necessary to communicate effectively with a diverse group of employees.
• Ability to handle tasks under pressure.
• Ability to adjust work schedule to work other hours as required.
• This position requires the employee to work at a specified location and hours determined by the manager for the benefit of the department and firm. Changes to the location and/or scheduled hours must be approved by the manager.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of office practices and procedures; word processing, spreadsheet and database software.
• Correct use of grammar, punctuation and spelling.
• Proficient in organizing and planning techniques.
• Competently applies marketing principles and methods, presents a positive image to the public, and develops creative ways to solve problems.

Thompson Hine LLP is an equal opportunity employer that offers competitive wages and a robust benefits package. Benefit offerings include, but are not limited to, medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as paid time off (PTO).

Thompson Hine EEO Policy