Description

Tonkon Torp LLP is seeking a strategic and experienced Head of Business Development & Marketing to lead the firm’s business development and marketing function.  This role drives firmwide business development efforts across all practice groups and attorneys, leads initiatives that strengthen the firm’s market visibility, and ensures the marketing team delivers effective, high-quality support to attorneys and firm leadership.

This is a hands-on leadership role for a senior professional who can build strong rapport with attorneys, develop practical business development plans, and translate firm and practice strengths into focused market actions.  The Head of Business Development and Marketing manages a team of three and is expected to be directly involved in significant attorney, client, pitch, and profile-raising efforts.

The ideal candidate will bring strong ties to the Portland metro business, legal, and civic community, with a practical understanding of the relationships and market dynamics that shape law firm growth in the region.

Reporting to the COO and Managing Partner, this position works closely with attorneys, practice group leaders, and administrative leadership to help the firm grow with discipline, consistency, and purpose.

Since 1974, Tonkon Torp has provided exceptional legal counsel and business-minded solutions to clients in Portland, Oregon and beyond.  The firm’s legal support team plays a central role in helping attorneys deliver timely, high-quality service.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Lead firmwide business development strategy

• Develop and implement business development strategies that support firm priorities across all practice groups and attorneys 
• Partner with practice group leaders and individual attorneys to identify growth opportunities, set priorities, and build actionable business development plans 
• Help attorneys strengthen client relationships, develop new business opportunities, expand referral networks, and increase cross-selling across the firm 
• Support high-value pursuits, pitches, proposals, and presentations 

Serve as a strategic partner to attorneys

• Build trusted working relationships with attorneys across the firm
• Coach attorneys on business development planning, market visibility, relationship development, and follow-through
• Help attorneys translate ideas and goals into practical business development activity that fits their practices and styles
• Bring structure, accountability, and momentum to attorney and practice group growth efforts 

Lead marketing and brand visibility efforts

• Direct marketing initiatives that enhance the firm’s visibility, reputation, and differentiation in the market
  Oversee external profile-raising activities, including events, sponsorships, rankings, directories, awards, speaking opportunities, and related campaigns 
• Guide development of firm, practice, and attorney marketing materials, including pitches, presentations, website content, biographies, and practice descriptions
• Help ensure brand consistency and strong messaging across external-facing efforts 

Manage the marketing team and department operations

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of three marketing professionals
• Set priorities, allocate work, and maintain service standards for the team
• Improve processes, workflows, and tools that support business development and marketing execution
• Partner with the COO and CFO on departmental planning, budgeting, and resource needs 

Bring market insight and measurement to the role

• Monitor client, competitor, referral source, and industry trends relevant to the firm’s practices
• Identify opportunities to improve targeting, visibility, and return on business development and marketing efforts
• Track progress on key initiatives and provide useful reporting to firm leadership

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing or business management or equivalent experience required
• Law firm experience required
• 10+ years of progressive business development and marketing experience, including meaningful leadership responsibility
• Demonstrated success working directly with attorneys and practice leaders on business development strategy and execution
• Strong experience with attorney business development planning, client targeting, cross-selling, pitches and proposals, and profile-raising initiatives
• Experience leading marketing efforts that strengthen brand visibility and market presence
• Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop a small team
• Strong executive presence, sound judgment, and the ability to build credibility with attorneys and firm leadership
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong organizational, strategic thinking, and project management skills
• Demonstrated ability to work under tight deadlines, multitask, prioritize tasks, problem solve, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel), Adobe Acrobat (or similar), and DocuSign. Capable of quickly learning and utilizing document management systems and other practice-specific applications
• Ability to concentrate and pay close attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and precision in all tasks and documents
• Capable of managing high levels of mental effort and strain when necessary to meet job demands effectively

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in a mid-sized or large law firm with multiple practice groups
• Familiarity with legal directory submissions, rankings processes, CRM tools, and pitch/proposal development

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS
The position involves sitting or standing at a desk for long periods, frequent computer use, clear communication with attorneys and staff, operation of standard office equipment, and work in a professional office environment with ability to work under tight deadlines and multitask.

Tonkon Torp will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities, unless doing so creates undue hardship.
Tonkon Torp is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It welcomes all eligible applicants to apply without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.  

Pursuant to Oregon law, Tonkon Torp does not request or require disclosure of the applicant’s age or date of birth or when the applicant attended or graduated from any educational institution prior to completing an initial interview, except when such information is required to affirm that the applicant meets bona fide occupational qualifications or to comply with any provision of federal, state or local law, rule or regulation. 

We comply with Oregon and Portland fair chance hiring laws. In Portland, criminal history is considered only after a conditional offer of employment.