By Ashley Wells  |  Director, Celeritas Recruiting

 

One of the questions I hear most often from legal marketing and BD professionals is: "What do I need to do to get to the next level?"

Whether you’re looking to move from Coordinator to Specialist, Senior Specialist to Manager, Manager to Senior Manager, or Senior Manager to Director, I’m seeing a common theme in the market:

 

 

Here is what that looks like at each stage.

What matters most early in your career?

Early in your career, it’s about becoming an exceptional executor, learning the practices, partners, clients, and processes you support.

What do firms want to see as you move toward Manager?

As you move toward Manager, firms want to see more ownership. Can you run with an initiative, manage competing priorities, communicate confidently with partners, and start thinking strategically rather than simply executing?

How do expectations shift at the Senior Manager level?

At the Senior Manager level, the expectations shift again. It’s about leadership, influence, and business judgment: advising partners, developing your team, identifying opportunities, and connecting your work to broader practice and firm goals.

What are firms looking for in a Director?

And the move to Director? Increasingly, firms are looking for true business advisors, people who can influence senior stakeholders, lead teams, and help shape the direction and growth of a practice or function.

What is the biggest career mistake I see?

The biggest career mistake I see is waiting for the next title before starting to operate at the next level.

If you want the promotion, start building evidence that you can already do the job.

What helped you make your biggest career jump?

For those in legal marketing and BD: what skill or experience helped you make your biggest career jump? Connect with me on LinkedIn and let me know.