Director of Business Development

About Armstrong Teasdale

For more than a century, Armstrong Teasdale has forged long‑term relationships with clients large and small around the globe. Since our founding in 1901, we have grown to be one of the 200 largest law firms in the U.S. Our mission statement—“Always exceed expectations through teamwork and excellent client service”— carries through everything we do. We embrace the following values: integrity, teamwork, entrepreneurship, investment, celebration, perspective, accomplishment and inclusiveness.

Summary Description

The Director of Business Development leads firmwide revenue growth, client development, and brand awareness by directing the Business Development team across the firm’s U.S. offices. This role is responsible for translating the firm’s strategic priorities into actionable, measurable business development initiatives across practice areas, industry teams, and key clients.

Serving as a senior strategic advisor to firm leadership and attorneys, the Director drives short‑ and long‑term growth through integrated client planning, attorney coaching, and data‑informed market insight. The role requires a deep understanding of law‑firm business development best practices, the ability to lead and inspire high‑performing teams, and the judgment to manage change, adopt new technologies, and strengthen cross‑practice collaboration in a complex professional‑services environment.

Essential Functions

A summary of essential functions is included below.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Strategic Planning & Firm Alignment - Collaborates with firm leadership to implement the firm’s strategic plan by converting enterprise priorities into targeted, firmwide business development initiatives with clear objectives, accountability, and measurable outcomes.
• Growth Strategy & Opportunity Development - Evaluates and pursues growth opportunities across practices, industries, and key clients; identifies white‑space opportunities and recommends strategies to increase revenue, strengthen client relationships, and promote cross‑practice collaboration.
• Strategic Advisory Role - Serves as a trusted advisor to firm, practice, and industry leaders by providing insight on market trends, competitive positioning, client needs, and effective relationship‑development strategies.
• Client, Industry & Account Planning Leadership - Leads client and industry teams in establishing goals, setting priorities, and executing cohesive business development plans. Facilitates client planning sessions, post‑pitch debriefs, and relationship reviews to identify new opportunities, deepen engagement, and drive sustained partner commitment and results.
• Proposals, Pitches & RFP Excellence - Oversees the development of strategic, client‑centric proposals, pitches, and RFP responses in collaboration with attorneys and marketing colleagues. Establishes best practices, improves win rates, and ensures proposals clearly articulate the firm’s value proposition and differentiators.
• Attorney Coaching & Practice Development - Guides the creation and execution of tailored business development plans for individual attorneys, practice groups, and client teams. Coaches attorneys on client development, sales techniques, relationship management, and opportunity identification.
• Team Leadership & Talent Development - Builds, leads, and mentors a high‑performing Business Development team. Fosters a collaborative, solutions‑oriented culture; provides coaching and professional development; and ensures team efforts align with firm priorities and performance expectations.
• Marketing & Brand Partnership - Partners closely with the marketing team to develop and execute strategic visibility, branding, and thought‑leadership initiatives that enhance the firm’s market presence and support business development goals.
• Data, Technology & Performance Measurement - Leverages CRM and other technologies to establish disciplined processes for tracking business development activities, pipeline management, client engagement, and performance metrics. Provides regular reporting and analysis to firm leadership to inform decision‑making and investment priorities.
• Research, Intelligence & Change Leadership - Oversees market research and competitive intelligence efforts to identify trends and emerging opportunities. Acts as a change agent by promoting adoption of new tools, processes, and best practices, including supporting the integration of lateral hires and new practices into the firm’s business development framework.

Position Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Business or related field; Master’s Degree or Juris Doctorate preferred.
• 10+ years of business development experience, preferably in a mid‑to‑large‑law‑firm, with demonstrated success partnering with senior leaders and attorneys, leading client teams, industry initiatives, and complex proposal and pitch efforts.
• Exercises sound judgment, often with limited information; prioritizes effectively; handles confidential and sensitive information with discretion.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; ability to develop persuasive proposals, presentations, and client‑facing materials; strong relationship‑building capabilities.
• Inspires and develops teams; aligns people and resources to firm objectives; drives accountability and results.
• Identifies development needs; promotes innovation; leads and manages change effectively.
• Encourages open dialogue, cross‑functional collaboration, and shared ownership of outcomes.
• Models and advances the firm’s values, including a strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Yes

Work Model

This role follows a hybrid work arrangement and requires a regular onsite presence of at least four (4) days per week in the Firm’s St. Louis, Kansas City, or Chicago office.

Physical Activity

The employee will be required to sit for prolonged periods and work on a computer.

Travel Required

There will be opportunity for semi‑frequent domestic travel to our offices.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.

EEO Statement

Armstrong Teasdale is an equal opportunity employer and will make all employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, disability, veteran status or other protected status, in accordance with federal, state and local laws.

At Armstrong Teasdale, we define diversity and inclusion broadly and focus on helping professionals of all races, religions, national origins, gender identities, ethnicities, sexual orientations and physical abilities feel a sense of belonging. Diversity and inclusion are core values of the firm, and we recognize the richness they bring to our workplace.

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