Associate Director of Business Development
Cooley
Associate Director of Business Development
Cooley
Global IP and litigation law firm
Cooley is seeking an Associate Director of Business Development to join the Marketing and Client Development team.
Position summary:This role is part of the Business Development Team, which leads the firm’s business development efforts in the market, in close partnership with Marketing, to build relationships, generate opportunities, and support growth across priority clients, prospects, and sectors.Responsible forpartneringwithMarketing and firm leaders to execute outreach strategies, create high-value connections, and convert engagement into ahealthy and sustainablepipeline.Specificduties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Position responsibilities:
Market Relationship Management:Build andmaintaina robust network of clients, prospects, referral sources, and key external influencers, proactively working within relevant market ecosystems to increase firm visibility.
Strategic Marketing Integration:Coordinate closely with the Marketing team to execute outreach, manage events, and drive disciplined follow-up on campaigns to convert engagement into tangible business leads.
Partner Force Multiplication:Act as a strategic bridge for firm partners by generating introductions, opening doors to key decision-makers, and creating access to high-value opportunities.
Relationship Continuity & Transition:Ensure seamless relationship continuity through structured follow-up, managing handoffs between internal teams andmaintainingongoing contact with key stakeholders.
Opportunity Identification & Qualification:Proactivelyidentifygrowth opportunities across existing and prospective clients, focusing on moving early-stage conversations into a qualified, high-probability pipeline.
Whitespace & Cross-Selling Analysis:Surface untapped "whitespace" and cross-selling opportunities within existing client relationships, connecting specific client needs to the firm’s broader people and capabilities.
Pipeline Coordination & Support:Ensure all identified opportunities are supported with the necessary internal coordination and tactical follow-up to move them through the business development lifecycle.
Market & Pipeline Discipline:Maintainrigorous visibility into relationship activity by tracking all outreach, introductions, and meetings, ensuring clear documentation of next steps and pipeline movement.
Operational Rhythm & Proactivity:Contribute to a consistent and proactive business development rhythm in the market, shifting the team from a reactive posture to a disciplined, lead-generation engine.
All other duties as assigned orrequired
Skills and experience:
Required:
After orientation at Cooley LLP, exhibitproficiencyintheMicrosoftOffice suite,iManageand other firmapplications
Ability to work extended and/or weekend hours, asrequired
Ability to travel, asrequired
8+ years of applicableexperience in the field(e.g.,marketing or business development),with 4+years management experience(some at the senior level preferred)
Market-facing presence including a leverageable network
Commercial instinct and proven relationship building skills, including strong working knowledge of enterprise CRM ecosystems (e.g., Salesforce)
Bachelor’s Degree
Preferred:
Prior legal industry or professional services experience
Competencies:
Entrepreneurial by nature
Excellent attention to detail
Approaches tasks through a lens of quality and consistency
Approaches tasks through a digital first lens
Exceptionalinterpersonal andcommunication skills with ability tofacilitateand solve problems
Ability to organize, prioritize and coordinate multiple activities often under tight timelines
Takes a consultative approach to set goals, drive projects, and achieve outcomes
Strongjudgment
Team-player with collaborative spirit
Unwavering ability to handle andmaintainconfidentialityregardingfirm information, projects,
client data
High levelof professionalismat all times
Demonstrated ability to lead through influence and develop talent
Proactive, analytical mindset
Effective presentation skills
Cooley offers a competitive compensation and excellent benefits package and is committed to fair and equitable employment practices. EOE.
The expected annual pay range for this position with a full-time schedule is $260,000 - $320,000. Please note that final offer amount will be dependent on geographic location, applicable experience and skillset of the candidate.
We offer a full range of elective benefits including medical, health savings account (with applicable medical plan), dental, vision, health and/or dependent care flexible spending accounts, pre-tax commuter benefits, life insurance, AD&D, long-term care coverage, backup care for children and/or adults and other parental support benefits. In addition to elective benefit options, benefited employees receive firm-paid life insurance, AD&D, LTD, short term medical benefits as well as 25 days of Paid Time Off (“PTO”) and 10 paid holidays each year. We provide generous parental leave and fertility benefits. New employees will attend a detailed benefit orientation to learn more about our many benefits and resources.
Cooley is a large international law firm that helps clients with major deals, complex intellectual property work, regulatory issues, and high-stakes lawsuits. Its lawyers across 19 offices in the U.S., Asia, and Europe collaborate to advise on transactions, protect and manage IP assets, navigate regulations, and represent clients in court or arbitration. The firm differentiates itself by its sizeable global team and wide range of practice areas, allowing it to handle complex matters that cross markets and jurisdictions. Cooley’s goal is to help clients complete transformative deals, secure strong IP positions, meet regulatory requirements, and win important litigation outcomes.
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