In today's competitive legal market, business development and marketing professionals are no longer a nice-to-have. They are core to a firm's growth strategy. From winning new clients and managing pitches to building brand presence and deepening existing relationships, these professionals sit at the intersection of legal expertise and commercial instincts. At Onward Recruiting, we specialize in placing the marketing and business development talent that helps law firms grow.

We are proud members of the National Association of Legal Search Consultants (NALSC) and adhere to their Code of Ethics. This commitment reflects our dedication to integrity, professionalism, and fairness in every interaction. You can learn more about the NALSC Code of Ethics here.

The Strategic Value

Law firm marketing and business development has evolved significantly. Today's professionals in these roles are expected to drive client strategy, support lateral integration, manage complex pitch processes, and deploy data to identify growth opportunities. Finding someone who understands both the business of law and the craft of marketing is a narrow search, and getting the hire wrong is costly.

We understand the law firm environment from the inside. We know what distinguishes a BD professional who can win partners' trust from one who can't, and we bring that perspective to every search.

Why Partner with Onward?

• Deep Law Firm Context: We understand how law firm marketing and BD functions are structured, how they interact with partners, and what it takes to succeed in a firm culture. We don't just match resumes to job descriptions.

• Access to Passive Talent: The best marketing and BD professionals are rarely actively looking. Our network and outreach capabilities surface candidates who aren't on the open market.

• Precision Over Volume: We present a curated shortlist of candidates who meet your specific brief, not a stack of applications for your team to sort through.

Examples of Roles We Fill

• Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and Marketing Directors: Senior leaders who set firm-wide marketing strategy, manage teams, and align brand positioning with business objectives.

• Business Development Directors and Managers: Professionals who drive client development initiatives, support pitch and proposal processes, and partner with practice group leaders on growth strategy.

• Pitch and Proposal Managers: Specialists in competitive bid processes, RFP responses, and credentials materials who help firms win and retain clients.

• Practice Group Marketing Managers: Embedded marketing professionals who support specific practice areas with targeted BD strategies, thought leadership, and event planning.

• Client Development and Relationship Management: Professionals focused on deepening existing client relationships, cross-selling, and supporting client feedback programs.

• Marketing Technology and Communications: Specialists in CRM systems, digital marketing, social media, and internal and external communications.

• BD Analysts and Coordinators: Research and operational support professionals who keep marketing and BD functions running efficiently.

A Tailored Approach

Marketing and BD hiring requires a recruiter who understands the culture. These roles sit at the intersection of firm politics, partner relationships, and commercial performance and the right candidate needs to navigate all three. We take the time to understand your firm's structure, growth priorities, and the specific dynamics of your marketing and BD function before we source a single candidate.

Whether you are hiring your first dedicated BD professional, building out an existing team, or replacing a senior marketing leader, we bring the same consultative approach to every engagement.

Ready to build your marketing and BD team? Contact us to discuss your hiring needs.