BD Support Senior Manager

Orrick currently has an excellent opportunity for a BD Support Senior Manager to join our Sector & Markets, Business Development team, reporting to the Chief of Staff – Business Development.  This position could be based in any of our U.S. offices with consideration given for 100% remote US locations.

Our ideal candidate is a seasoned people leader who is ready to lead a team that sits at the center of the firm’s day-to-day BD activity.

What You Will Do: In this role you will be the operational leader of a central pool of generalist BD professionals that serves as a shared resource for the firm’s BD function. You will set priorities, balance capacity across competing stakeholder demands and be accountable for the quality, accuracy and responsiveness of the team’s support. You will manage team leads and senior team members, develop earlier-career staff and build the processes, standards and culture that allow the team to deliver consistently at scale – including streamlining workflows, sharing best practice and adopting AI and other technology-enabled tools. Because BD Support sits at the center of the BD function, you will also build trusted relationships with colleagues and stakeholders across BD.

Team Leadership

• Directly manage the team, with a strong emphasis on performance management, engagement and accountability
• Build a culture of professionalism, trust and high performance, setting and enforcing clear expectations
• Conduct regular one-on-ones, team meetings and coaching conversations, delivering direct, timely and candid feedback
• Develop and retain talent through intentional coaching, a structured training program covering technical BD skills and broader professional skills, and succession planning
• Partner closely with HR on recruiting, onboarding, performance counseling and employee relations matters
• Serve as a steady, credible leader within the team and across BD and the partnership
• Act as a visible, hands-on leader, stepping in alongside the team when needed to model standards and unblock work
• Use emotional intelligence and sound judgment to resolve complex people issues
• Translate BD department and firm initiatives into clear, actionable expectations for the team

Operational Execution & Service Delivery

• Partner closely with BD Operations on operational planning and intake, allocating incoming requests through workflow tools and systems (including ServiceNow or equivalent) so the right resource is assigned and work is prioritized and delivered to a high standard
• Monitor workload distribution, capacity, utilization and overtime, making real-time adjustments to ensure sustainability and consistent service
• Serve as the escalation point for team members, attorneys and BD stakeholders on people and service issues, addressing concerns quickly, professionally and constructively
• Staff and oversee special projects, ensuring clarity of scope, deadlines and accountability
• Collaborate across BD teams to ensure smooth handoffs and aligned execution
• Data, Metrics & Business Judgment
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) covering service delivery, workload, skill development and team health
• Use data to assess workload trends, performance and capability gaps, and act on the findings
• Prepare clear, actionable updates for senior leadership that translate data into decisions
• Apply sound financial and operational judgment, including expense and overtime management

Process Improvement

• Implementing pragmatic improvements that balance efficiency with people impact
• Capture and share best practice across the team, ensuring consistent standards, templates and approaches to recurring workstreams such as pitches, credentials, directory submissions and events
• Champion AI and other technology-enabled tools that improve the quality, speed or consistency of BD support, evaluating emerging tools and training the team on new processes, systems and ways of working

General

• Perform other ad hoc duties as required

• 10+ years of marketing or business development experience, preferably in a legal or professional services environment
• 3+ years managing teams, including managers or team leads
• Four-year college degree or equivalent experience required; MBA preferred
• Experienced people leader with sound judgment and a growth mindset who can build and manage a cohesive, high-performing team
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trusted relationships with colleagues and stakeholders across BD, with a clear view of BD-wide priorities and a sharp sense of where the central team adds most value
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and experience with (or the ability to learn) firm BD systems, as well as a strong ability to navigate online platforms and databases

Who is Orrick? Orrick is a global law firm focused on delivering innovative solutions for four sectors: Technology & Innovation, Energy & Infrastructure, Finance and Life Sciences & HealthTech. Founded more than 150 years ago in San Francisco, Orrick today has offices in 25+ markets. We are recognized globally for delivering the highest-quality legal advice and for our culture of innovation and collaboration. 

Compensation and Benefits

The expected salary range for this position is:

• New York City, Silicon Valley, and San Francisco $160,000 - $210,000
• Washington DC, Los Angeles, Orange County, Santa Monica, Sacramento, Boston, and Seattle $155,000 - $200,000
• All Other US Locations $150,000 - $185,000

Orrick is committed to providing a comprehensive, competitive, and thoughtful total compensation package to our attorneys and staff, wherever they work. This compensation and benefits information is based on the Orrick’s estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future. The level of pay within the range will depend on a variety of job-related factors that may include, but not limited to, qualifications, relevant experience or education, particular skills or expertise, geography.  Other compensation may include an annual discretionary merit bonus, which would be determined by Firm and individual performance. 

We offer a full range of elective health benefits including medical, dental, vision and life; robust mental well-being programs; child, family, elder, and pet care benefits; short- and long-term disability and industry leading parental leave benefits, health savings account contributions (w/applicable medical plan), flexible spending accounts, and a 401K program. This role will receive compensated time off through our Flexible Time Off program and paid holidays. 

Please visit www.orrick.com for more information about the firm.

How to Apply: If you are searching for a chance to create an impact, you have a little grit and you love working with a team, we want to talk with you. To submit your resume and cover letter for this position, please visit our Staff and Paralegal Opportunities Listings at www.orrick.com/Careers. Orrick accepts applications for this position on an ongoing basis, until filled. 

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Consistent with the SF Fair Chance Ordinance, an arrest and conviction record will not automatically disqualify a qualified applicant from consideration.

Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for the position in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

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