📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: BD and Marketing Manager, M&A and Private Equity
🔹 Company: Sidley Austin LLP
🔹 Location: Chicago, Illinois, United States
🔹 Job Type: Hybrid (On-site and Remote)
🔹 Category: Legal & Professional Services
🔹 Date Posted: June 30, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (On-site and Remote)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Serving as a dedicated liaison to M&A and Private Equity practice groups
- Developing and executing business plans and marketing strategies
- Managing business development initiatives and cross-selling opportunities
- Collaborating with partners and lawyers to enhance Sidley's profile and capabilities
- Leading and mentoring junior team members
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking, strong communication skills, and the ability to build effective relationships with partners and clients.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Serve as a dedicated liaison to M&A and Private Equity practice groups
✅ Develop and execute business plans and marketing strategies for assigned groups
✅ Manage business development initiatives and cross-selling opportunities
✅ Collaborate with partners and lawyers to enhance Sidley's profile and capabilities
✅ Lead and mentor junior team members
✅ Manage proposals and pitches, serving as project manager and key contributor
✅ Plan and execute marketing and profile-raising activities
✅ Manage employee development and performance
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of collaboration and requires strong project management skills to balance multiple priorities.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in marketing, communication, business/finance, or related field
Experience: A minimum of eight (8) years of professional marketing, business development, or other relevant experience
Required Skills:
- Excellent writing, proofreading, and critical thinking skills
- Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office and Outlook
- Strong organizational and prioritization skills
- Strong attention to detail
- Good judgment
- Strong interpersonal communication skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Able to work harmoniously and effectively with others
- Able to preserve confidentiality and exercise discretion
- Able to work under pressure
- Able to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities
Preferred Skills:
- Marketing, business development, strategic planning, sales, and/or other relevant experience in a law firm or other professional services organization
- Experience and knowledge of the business/legal landscape in assigned practice areas/industries
- Supervisory, managerial, and/or project management experience
- Advanced degree in a related area, such as marketing, law, business, or communications (M.B.A. or J.D. a considerable plus)
- Working knowledge of customer relationship, pipeline, and experience management databases such as InterAction, Salesforce, and/or Foundation
- Familiarity with relevant company/market research tools, as well as law firm rankings, awards, and league table publications
ASSUMPTION: Given the role's focus on business development and marketing, candidates with relevant experience in law firms or professional services organizations are strongly preferred.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $140,000 - $170,000 (if located in Illinois)
Benefits:
- Comprehensive Benefits Program
- Bonus Eligibility
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week), with flexibility for hybrid work arrangement
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is specific to Illinois. For other locations, the range may vary based on the relevant market, skills, experience, and education of the selected candidate.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Sidley Austin LLP is a global law firm providing legal services to clients worldwide. They specialize in complex transactional, restructuring, investigation, regulatory, and litigation matters.
Company Size: Sidley Austin LLP has 1,001-5,000 employees, providing a large platform for growth and collaboration.
Founded: Sidley Austin LLP was founded in 1866 and has a rich history of providing legal services to clients.
Company Description:
- Sidley is an elite global law firm with a reputation for using "Built to Win℠" legal strategies to successfully represent clients in more than 70 countries.
- The firm has 21 offices strategically situated in key commercial and financial hubs across the world, with lawyers and business professionals fluent in more than 80 languages.
- Sidley's perspective and reach are truly global, with a focus on providing clarity to a dynamic business landscape.
Company Specialties:
- Corporate and Securities
- Litigation
- Investment Funds
- Intellectual Property
- Tax
- White Collar: Government Litigation and Investigations
Company Website: http://www.sidley.com
ASSUMPTION: Sidley Austin LLP's global presence and diverse practice areas offer candidates the opportunity to work on complex, high-profile matters and collaborate with talented professionals worldwide.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is a mid-level management position, requiring significant experience and strong leadership skills.
Reporting Structure: The BD and Marketing Manager reports directly to the Marketing Department and works closely with practice and industry group leaders, as well as other partners and lawyers.
Work Arrangement: This is a hybrid role, requiring on-site presence in Sidley's Chicago office and remote work flexibility.
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to a senior or director-level role within the Marketing Department
- Expansion into other practice areas or industry groups
- Potential to work on cross-border or international matters
ASSUMPTION: Given Sidley's global platform and diverse practice areas, there are numerous opportunities for professional growth and development in this role.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Sidley Austin LLP's Chicago office is located in a modern, high-rise building with state-of-the-art facilities and amenities.
Office Location(s): One South Dearborn Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603, United States
Geographic Context:
- Chicago is a major commercial and financial hub, with a vibrant legal community.
- The city offers a diverse range of cultural, recreational, and dining options.
- Chicago has a humid continental climate, with warm summers and cold, snowy winters.
Work Schedule: The hybrid work arrangement allows for flexibility in work hours, with a core working day from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM CST.
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement provides a good balance between on-site collaboration and remote flexibility, allowing employees to optimize their productivity and work-life balance.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the HR department
- In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager and potential team members
- Final interview with senior leadership
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and business development acumen
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Leadership and team management abilities
- Knowledge of the legal industry and relevant practice areas
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
- Demonstrate your understanding of Sidley's business and the M&A and Private Equity practice areas
- Prepare examples of your business development and marketing successes in previous roles
ATS Keywords: Business Development, Marketing, M&A, Private Equity, Law Firm, Strategic Planning, Client Development, Cross-selling, Project Management, Writing, Communication, Leadership, Team Management, Research, Strategic Planning, Budget Management, Collaboration, Problem Solving, Attention to Detail, Interpersonal Skills
ASSUMPTION: Sidley Austin LLP's hiring process is designed to assess candidates' strategic thinking, communication skills, and cultural fit within the firm's global platform.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software (e.g., InterAction, Salesforce, Foundation)
- Marketing automation and analytics tools (e.g., Marketo, Google Analytics)
- Project management software (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)
- Legal research databases (e.g., Westlaw, LexisNexis)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with relevant tools and technologies is essential for success in this role, as they enable effective project management, communication, and collaboration.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Client Focus
- Collaboration
- Integrity
- Innovation
- Excellence
Work Style:
- Results-driven and proactive
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality
- Ability to work independently and in a team environment
- Adaptable and responsive to change
- Strategic and forward-thinking
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have a proven track record of driving business development and marketing initiatives in a professional services environment?
- Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic, and collaborative team environment?
- Do you possess strong leadership and mentoring skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate team members?
ASSUMPTION: Sidley Austin LLP values candidates who embody their core values and demonstrate a strong work ethic, commitment to excellence, and ability to thrive in a dynamic, global environment.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple priorities and competing deadlines
- Balancing on-site and remote work responsibilities
- Adapting to a fast-paced, dynamic, and global work environment
- Building and maintaining effective relationships with partners, lawyers, and clients
- Keeping up with industry trends and market developments in assigned practice areas
ASSUMPTION: The BD and Marketing Manager role presents unique challenges that require strong organizational skills, adaptability, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other business development and marketing roles in law firms, this position focuses more on M&A and Private Equity practice areas
- Sidley Austin LLP's global platform offers more extensive opportunities for international collaboration and cross-border matters
- This role requires a higher level of strategic thinking and business development acumen than entry-level or coordinator positions
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should consider the unique aspects of this role and Sidley Austin LLP's global platform when comparing it to similar positions in the legal industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a comprehensive business development plan for the M&A and Private Equity practice areas
- Managing a cross-selling initiative between the M&A and Private Equity groups and another practice area, such as Corporate and Securities or Investment Funds
- Leading a proposal or pitch project for a high-profile M&A or Private Equity matter, involving collaboration with partners, lawyers, and other team members
ASSUMPTION: The BD and Marketing Manager role offers a wide range of project opportunities, allowing candidates to apply their skills and gain valuable experience in the legal industry.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the firm's approach to business development and marketing in the M&A and Private Equity practice areas?
- How does Sidley Austin LLP support the growth and development of its business development and marketing professionals?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does the firm foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing between its various offices and practice areas?
- What opportunities exist for professional growth and development within the Marketing Department and the firm as a whole?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful and insightful questions during the interview process demonstrates your interest in the role and commitment to understanding Sidley Austin LLP's business and culture.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare examples of your business development and marketing successes in previous roles
- Follow up with Sidley Austin LLP's HR department one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and inquire about next steps
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
