Business Development Manager - National Security & Defense
At a glance
Mid-level Business Development role at Hklaw. Washington · full-time · $138,000–$208,000 base.
Growth Roles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Run marketing and business development for the National Security & Defense Industry Sector Group
- Turn the group's growth strategy into a business plan, pursuits, campaigns, and tracked initiatives
- Advise attorneys and policy professionals on opportunities, pitches, RFPs, and client development
- Lead collateral, website content, presentations, events, sponsorships, and thought leadership work
- Measure activity and investment results, then give sector leaders reporting and recommendations
What you bring
- A bachelor's degree is required for this position
- Bring six to ten years of business development and marketing experience, preferably in professional services or related sectors
- Show you can independently deliver complex initiatives while balancing competing priorities and tight deadlines
- Communicate persuasively with attorneys, policy professionals, leadership, clients, and external organizations
Who this fits
You’ll suit this role if you are a hands-on business development professional who can turn strategy into execution and advise senior stakeholders. The work is based in the Washington, D.C. office and involves regular coordination across practices, offices, and external vendors. You’ll need strong project management, writing, presentation, relationship-building, and business judgment skills.
From the employer
We are a Firm where people truly believe in what they do and strive to achieve the highest standards of performance and success.
This position is based in our Washington, D.C. office.
General Description:
Holland & Knight is seeking a Business Development Manager to advance the business development and marketing goals and objectives of the firm's National Security & Defense Industry Sector Group. The Business Development Manager will work closely with industry sector leadership, the Government Section Director of Business Development, attorneys, policy professionals, and the broader business development and marketing team to support strategic growth initiatives, enhance client engagement, and strengthen the firm's position in the marketplace.
This role serves as a primary point of contact for attorneys and policy professionals, helping identify and pursue client opportunities, develop market-facing messaging, enhance client engagement efforts, and support revenue-generating initiatives across practices and offices. The successful candidate will be a proactive, hands-on business development professional who takes ownership of projects, drives initiatives from concept through execution, and thrives in a fast-paced environment with multiple competing priorities.
The ideal candidate is highly organized, responsive, and collaborative, with excellent communication skills, strong business judgment, and the ability to build credibility with attorneys, policy professionals, and firm leadership. This role requires a self-starter who can manage a broad range of strategic and tactical responsibilities while maintaining exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to delivering results.
Key Responsibilities Include:
Assume responsibility for managing the marketing and business development activities of the National Security & Defense Industry Sector Group, which includes attorneys and policy professionals from across the firm.
Partner with industry sector leadership and the Government Section Director of Business Development to develop and execute business development and marketing strategies that support the group's growth objectives.
Serve as a trusted advisor and day-to-day business development resource to attorneys and policy professionals, proactively identifying opportunities and recommending actionable solutions.
Learn and maintain a thorough understanding of the national security and defense ecosystem, including key industry trends, stakeholders, associations, market developments, and competitive dynamics.
Spearhead the development, implementation, and tracking of the industry's business plan, strategic initiatives, and pursuit team activities.
Manage the industry's marketing and business development budget and evaluate the effectiveness of related investments and initiatives.
Coordinate and drive projects to completion by working across attorneys, policy professionals, firm leadership, business development colleagues, and external vendors to ensure deadlines and objectives are met.
Strategize with client and pursuit teams to identify, develop, and execute targeted business development initiatives and marketing campaigns.
Lead the development and maintenance of marketing collateral, including brochures, presentations, representative matters, website content, capabilities materials, and client-facing communications.
Plan, coordinate, and participate in industry sector meetings, client events, conferences, sponsorships, and thought leadership initiatives.
Assess business opportunities and lead or support responses to RFPs, pitches, and other new business pursuits.
Conduct and direct market, client, competitor, and industry research to support strategic growth objectives.
Identify opportunities to leverage industry sector successes across practices, offices, and client teams and facilitate cross-selling opportunities throughout the firm.
Facilitate submissions for relevant rankings, directories, and industry recognitions.
Track business development and marketing activities, measure outcomes, and provide regular reporting and recommendations to industry sector leadership.
Anticipate needs, identify gaps, and independently develop solutions that advance the group's strategic objectives.
Expected to maintain a regular and predictable work schedule and full attention to and engagement in work activities on behalf of the firm during business hours unless otherwise approved or required by applicable law.
Special projects and duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
Demonstrated ownership mentality with a proven ability to independently manage complex initiatives, drive projects to completion, and deliver measurable results with minimal direction.
Understanding of the national security and defense ecosystem preferred.
Proactive, entrepreneurial, and solutions-oriented, with the ability to identify opportunities and translate strategy into action.
Exceptional project management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities, competing stakeholder demands, and tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Highly responsive and adaptable, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, balance competing priorities, and effectively manage multiple high-impact projects simultaneously.
Ability to work effectively under pressure while maintaining accuracy, responsiveness, and attention to detail.
Strong executive presence and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and build relationships with attorneys, policy professionals, firm leadership, clients, and external organizations.
Demonstrated ability to quickly learn new subject matter, industries, and market dynamics and apply that knowledge to business development initiatives.
Creative, outward-looking, confident, and capable of generating innovative ideas and practical solutions.
Strategic, high-energy, results-oriented, and highly accountable.
Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation communication skills, including the ability to develop persuasive messaging and executive-level materials.
Strong client-service orientation with a collaborative approach to working across offices, practices, and functional teams.
Experience mentoring, coaching, and collaborating with colleagues in a professional services environment.
Required Qualifications & Education:
Bachelor’s degree required.
6 to 10 years of business development and marketing experience in a law firm, government affairs, consulting, public affairs, defense, aerospace, or other professional services environment preferred.
Physical Requirements:
Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time.
Moderate or advanced keyboard usage
Benefits: Our goal is to promote a work environment in which individuals have access to the resources they need to be their best both professionally and personally, which includes resources that encourage individuals to focus on their health and well-being.
Below are the benefits we offer: comprehensive medical (PPO and HDHPs), dental and vision plans including coverage for domestic partners; life and AD&D insurance; short and long term disability insurance; tax-advantaged accounts for health care expenses, including FSAs and HSAs; FSAs for dependent care; health advocacy services; behavioral health and counseling resources for all family members; 401(k); profit sharing; backup dependent care; senior care planning support; resources for individuals with development disabilities and their caregivers; and paid holidays and other paid time off, including paid leave for new parents.
Holland & Knight is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related conditions, transgender status, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status or any other factor prohibited by law.
Applicants who are interested in applying for a position and require an accommodation during the process should contact ApplicantAccommodations@hklaw.com.
Personal Information collected from applicants will be used for the purpose of processing the application throughout any recruitment or employment process, as well as inclusion in a personnel file. Categories of data collected may include name, address, phone numbers, email, Social Security Number, and signature. Holland & Knight may collect further information if you consent to a background check. This includes criminal background, employment, and certifications. Please visit Legal Information Portal for Holland & Knight LLP’s privacy policies.
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