Business Development Specialist – New Business

As a Business Development Specialist – New Business at Latham & Watkins, your main responsibilities include drafting and finalizing external business development documents like credentials statements and pitch documents, working closely with BD teams and partners to gather and compile necessary information, analyzing RFP documents to understand compliance requirements, and maintaining standardized materials within the firm's proposal management system. Your role is critical in ensuring that our proposals are not only compelling but also meet each client's unique needs.

To qualify for the Business Development Specialist – New Business position at Latham & Watkins, you'll need at least three years of relevant work experience, preferably within a law firm or a related sector. A minimum of two years of experience in developing and managing proposals, credentials, or tenders is essential. A high school diploma or an equivalent is required, and a bachelor's degree is preferred. Strong analytical skills and a good understanding of bid management tools are also highly valued.

The work environment for the Business Development Specialist – New Business at Latham & Watkins is designed to be collaborative and supportive, emphasizing innovation and respect. You'll be part of a dedicated team within our Global Services Office in Los Angeles, working in a vibrant culture that encourages flexibility with a hybrid and in-office schedule. The atmosphere promotes personal and professional growth, providing you with the tools and support to excel.

At Latham & Watkins, Business Development Specialists can look forward to a generous total compensation package, including bonuses based on individual and firm performance. Employees enjoy comprehensive healthcare, life and disability insurance, a robust 401k plan, and ample paid time off that increases with tenure. Furthermore, Latham offers well-being programs, professional development opportunities, and a supportive network through affinity groups, promoting a healthy and fulfilling work-life balance.

Yes, Latham & Watkins is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. The firm is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment, prohibiting discrimination based on various characteristics. This commitment extends to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotion, and compensation, ensuring a fair and equitable experience for all employees.

When answering this question, provide specific examples from your past roles where you developed proposals and RFP responses. Highlight your attention to detail, collaboration with teams, and how you ensured compliance with client requirements. Emphasize results, such as successful bids or positive feedback from clients.

Discuss your time management strategies, such as creating to-do lists, setting milestones, and using project management tools. Provide examples of high-pressure situations where you successfully managed multiple priorities, showcasing your ability to maintain focus and quality under pressure.

To answer effectively, show that you have researched the firm’s core values—respect, innovation, and collaboration. Discuss how these values align with your personal work ethic and how you have embodied them in your professional journey, enabling you to contribute positively to the company culture.

Share techniques you use for effective information gathering, such as conducting interviews, sending out surveys, or using collaborative platforms. Provide an example where strong communication skills helped you gather vital information that improved the quality of a proposal.

Talk about your process for reviewing proposals for accuracy, such as cross-referencing with the RFP requirements, peer reviews, and maintaining checklists. Describe your attention to detail and commitment to upholding the integrity of each proposal process.

When discussing a successful project, detail the objectives, your role, and the steps you took to lead the project to success. Focus on how you collaborated with others, overcame challenges, and what the final results were, quantifying success where possible.

List specific bid management tools you have experience with, explaining how you utilized them in your previous roles. Emphasize your quick learning ability with new technology and how these tools facilitated smoother proposal processes in your former positions.

Express your openness to feedback as an opportunity for growth. Describe past experiences where you’ve received feedback and how you used it to improve the quality of future proposals. Highlight your proactive approach to ensuring continuous development.

Discuss how collaboration enhances creativity and leads to better outcomes in proposal development. Provide examples of successful collaborations with team members across different departments to achieve common goals and how this alignment benefited your organization's objectives.

Align your answer with Latham & Watkins' reputation, commitment to excellence, and unique culture. Discuss your passion for the legal industry and your values and experiences that make you a good fit, showing genuine enthusiasm for contributing to the firm's success.