Business Venture Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The San Francisco office of a top global law firm is seeking a Business Development Manager for their Emerging Companies and Venture Capital department.

Minimum of eight+ years of experience in legal, technology, management, or market analysis environment preferred.

Minimum of 3 years’ experience in venture capital, accelerator/incubator program management or in a business development capacity at a mature startup or startup-focused professional services firm. 

• Identifies, evaluates and develops relationships with industry groups, accelerators and university programs where promising emerging companies are developing and could utilize the firm’s legal services.
• Regularly engages with and visits universities and other startup venues with the goal of building long term relationships and referral sources.
• Attends key events and evaluates opportunities to sponsor programs and host events in order to network, grow visibility and gather market intelligence.
• Updates CRM system to track activity and communications with new and existing contacts and uncover internal connections (“who knows whom”).
• Performs research on prospective clients, investors, industry sectors and market trends to inform activities and educate internal audiences.
• Screens potential clients to understand their needs and alignment with QuickLaunch or general client criteria; facilitates introductions to lawyers, investors and service providers as appropriate.
• Offers guidance to select existing clients and contacts of the firm seeking feedback on business plans, capital raising and competitive landscape.
• Maps existing relationships with venture capitalists and early-stage investors to understand connections and potential gaps, tracks personnel moves and referrals, and recommends and deploys tactics to expand and enhance these relationships.
• Provides updates and meets regularly with partners to report on progress, share leads and referrals, present new opportunities, prompt follow-up activities and receive feedback on efforts.
• Secures and supports speaking engagements and other hands-on opportunities for lawyers to build their profiles among target audiences.
• Generates and promotes new content including presentations, blog posts, event and marketing material.
• Continues to develop the QuickLaunch platform, Launch website and related marketing and social media efforts.
• Reports on deal activity for inclusion in key league tables including PitchBook and promotes rankings, awards and other recognition.
• Contributes to relevant legal directory submissions and award nominations.
• Maintains a deep understanding of the firm’s capabilities, experience, differentiators and competitors.
• Tracks and analyzes metrics related to efforts and impact and provides monthly and quarterly progress reports to partners.
• Work with practice groups to implement business development projects and initiatives to support new business development goals.
• Leverage the firm’s experience and industry knowledge to develop pitches and presentations that are responsive to companies’ specific needs.
• Work with the Clients & Markets Department infrastructure to regularly update web and print marketing collateral, including practice group descriptions, matter/case lists and biographies.
• Lead on various aspects of lateral partner onboarding and practice group strategic planning.
• Sees and deploys collaboration with colleagues as a critical factor in service excellence.
• Performs special projects as requested by Business Development leadership team.

• Deep understanding of the startup culture and ability to offer strategic guidance to founders and entrepreneurs.
• Ability to support business development initiatives across multiple transactional practice groups, ensuring alignment with firm-wide goals.
• Knowledge of venture capital industry, tech sectors, fundraising trends and business models.
• Knowledge of transactional practices, including M&A, private equity, capital market, and others.
• Familiarity with and existing relationships in the startup ecosystem in the Bay Area.
• Skilled at networking, building relationships and making connections with a broad range of constituents.
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently while securing buy-in and engaging decision-makers at key times to validate approach.
• Excellent written, presentation and oral communication skills.
• Experience with CRM system, Salesforce or other pipeline management tools is preferable.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with high expectations for attention to detail and quality.
• Remains open to technological change as generative AI becomes more integrated into the firm’s practice, actively develop comfort with new tools, and adapt how work is performed to support efficiency and innovation.

Required Experience

Education

• Bachelor's degree required.

Experience

• Minimum of eight+ years of experience in legal, technology, management, or market analysis environment preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in venture capital, accelerator/incubator program management or in a business development capacity at a mature startup or startup-focused professional services firm.