Community Manager, Emerging Company Practice

The Community Manager is responsible for identifying and supporting opportunities for the firm’s corporate practice group through research and outreach efforts within key startup markets, with an emphasis on the Bay Area. The Community Manager will source and develop relationships with founders and early-stage startups (both existing clients and prospects), university and accelerator contacts, industry groups, venture and seed investors and other service providers. In addition to understanding the interests, business plans and legal needs of these individuals, the Community Manager serves as a spokesperson for WilmerHale, educating the market about our lawyers, services and value proposition and promoting our brand. 

Internally, the Community Manager is expected to deliver market updates, insights and recommendations and engage relevant corporate lawyers in activities designed to grow our market share. Working with the Director of Client Development for the Transactional Department, the Community Manager will leverage staff resources to design and execute events and sponsorships, maintain our digital presence, develop and market content and perform industry and company research.

Assists with proactively supporting client service by actively participating in the firm's Service Excellence initiative. Ensures that staff members are providing quality service to internal members/departments of the firm as well as external clients and vendors by displaying professionalism via electronic and print correspondence, over the telephone and in-person and by encouraging an atmosphere that rewards a "can do" attitude.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES*

• Identifies opportunities and supports revenue-generating initiatives that reinforce the growth and diversification strategy for the corporate practice group.
• Researches and develops relationships with industry groups, accelerators, university organizations and professors where promising emerging companies are developing and could utilize the firm’s legal resources.
• Regularly visits universities and select startup venues with the goal of building long term relationships and referral sources.  
• Attends key events to network, grow WilmerHale visibility and to gather market intelligence.
• Updates CRM system to help maintain communications with new and existing contacts and uncovers internal connections (“who knows whom”).
• Screens potential clients to understand their needs and alignment with QuickLaunch or general WilmerHale client criteria; facilitates introductions to lawyers and service providers as appropriate.
• Secures speaking engagements and other hands-on opportunities for attorneys to build their profile among target audiences.
• Generates and promotes new content including presentations, blog posts and marketing material.
• Continues to develop the QuickLaunch platform, WilmerHale Launch website and related marketing and social media efforts.
• Maintains a deep understanding of the firm’s capabilities, experience and differentiators.
• Tracks and analyzes metrics related to efforts and impact and provides monthly and quarterly progress reports to leadership.
• Sees and deploys collaboration with colleagues as a critical factor in service excellence.
• Performs special projects as requested by Client Development leadership team.

Required Skills

• Deep understanding of the startup culture and ability to offer strategic guidance to founders and entrepreneurs.
• Knowledge of venture capital industry, tech sectors, fundraising trends and business models.
• Familiarity with and existing relationships in the startup ecosystem in Silicon Valley.
• Strong research skills and analytical reasoning ability to turn data into succinct and useful strategic insight.
• Excellent written, presentation and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities and high expectations for attention to detail and quality.
• Ability to work independently and secure buy-in and engage decision-makers as necessary.

 Education:

• Bachelor’s degree required.  

Required Experience

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in venture capital, accelerator/incubator administration or in a business development capacity at a mature startup.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Females/Minorities/Veterans/Disability