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David, Director of Business Development and Strategic Marketing at Mintz: Advize Career Interview
This interview with a Director of Business Development and Strategic Marketing at Mintz unveils a dynamic career path built on lifelong learning and genuine connection.
Starting with marketing internships and a swift rise through corporate marketing roles, this professional was "stolen" into the legal world and has spent nearly two decades shaping Mintz's brand and business development.
The role encompasses a wide array of responsibilities, from marketing and branding to community engagement and alumni relations, with each day focused on empowering attorneys and cultivating the firm's presence in regional markets.
Success in this field requires acute listening skills, curiosity, and the ability to connect disparate ideas.
This position offers the joy of continuous learning, collaboration with brilliant minds, and the satisfaction of helping clients achieve their strategic goals and navigating the nuances of the legal industry, with the biggest challenge being to balance stakeholder expectations.
Entry-level positions such as coordinators and specialists offer pathways into this exciting world, providing opportunities to build a valuable network and make a tangible impact on the firm and the community it serves.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
David Salisbury
Director of Business Development and Strategic Marketing
Mintz
University of San Diego
N/A
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Business Management & Admin, Marketing
Law
Communication and Marketing
Greek Life Member
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Career Path Of A Director Of Business Development And Strategic Marketing At Mintz
David's career began with marketing and business development internships, including "invaluable" market analysis work at Intuit, leading to a project management role post-graduation from which David's marketing skills quickly shone and was promoted to National Marketing Manager. Later, while at Hoist Fitness Systems, David hired Fisher and Richardson law firm, who then "stole [David]" to be their marketing manager before Mintz recognized David's skills and hired David to open all their California offices, where David has managed regional marketing, branding, and business development for nearly 19 years.
Main Responsibilities of a Business Development and Marketing Director at Mintz
David's main responsibility as a Director at Mintz is to manage "marketing, branding, and business development" across all regional markets, with a focus on areas where the firm has offices outside of its founding location in Boston. These responsibilities extend to brand-touching activities like "philanthropy, branding, public relations, business development, marketing, communications," and even overlaps with alumni relations.
A Day In The Life Of A Director Of Business Development And Strategic Marketing At Mintz
As a Director of Business Development and Strategic Marketing, every day is different but focuses on helping attorneys achieve their strategic goals and "develop the brand in the market". This involves direct work with attorneys, community engagement with clients to aid their corporate strategies, and establishing Mintz's contributions while connecting attorneys with the local client base.
Key Skills for a Business Development and Strategic Marketing Director at Mintz
For a role like Director of Business Development and Strategic Marketing, "lifelong learning" and curiosity are key, but David emphasizes that "truly listening" and being present in conversations are the biggest skills for success in any career. Success also comes from connecting the dots between what is heard and past experiences.
Favorite Parts of Being a Director of Business Development Marketing at Mintz
David, as a Director of Business Development and Strategic Marketing, enjoys the daily learning and exchange of ideas with smart colleagues at Mintz who are working on "cutting edge technologies" and current trends, giving valuable foresight from a legal perspective. Additionally, being able to work with clients, witnessing their enthusiasm, and helping them achieve strategic goals through connections is something David finds particularly fulfilling.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Director Of Business Development And Strategic Marketing At Mintz
David from Mintz sees the biggest challenge as balancing the various stakeholders involved in a project while ensuring the best outcome for both the firm and the individual, noting that sometimes "you need to help them understand the best way to achieve the end result they're looking for." This requires carefully navigating different perspectives and aligning them towards a shared definition of "success" for any given activity.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Legal Industry As A Director Of Business Development And Strategic Marketing
David enjoys the autonomy afforded to them as a marketing professional in law, where "attorneys rely on me to be an expert at what I do." A key aspect of this enjoyment is the ability to actively engage with clients and civic leaders, leveraging the firm's thought leadership while also being active in the community as a civic leader.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Legal Industry According To A Marketing And Business Development Director At Mintz
David highlights that success in legal marketing and business development hinges on understanding the unique "motives and goals" of each attorney in the partnership, recognizing that "every attorney in that partnership is equally important." While the core marketing skills remain the same as in other industries, the key difference lies in navigating the individualistic nature of a partnership within a service-oriented environment.
What a Marketing and Business Development Director at Mintz wishes they had known before entering the Legal industry
After 20 years in legal marketing, David wishes someone had emphasized the importance of understanding the nuances of the legal field early on, as "how much [he] didn't know about the law" or the business of law initially hindered professional growth. Gaining that knowledge sooner would have made one "even better suited" to the role.
Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Business Development and Marketing Professionals at Mintz
In legal marketing at Mintz, "early entry level positions" such as coordinators or specialists are available for college graduates on both regional marketing and broader business development teams; the department features a "full hierarchy" which extends to director and chief positions, offering diverse opportunities for various levels of experience and education. This suggests a well-structured career path within the firm for those interested in legal marketing and business development.
Significant Career Lesson From a Director of Business Development at Mintz
For David, the most significant lesson learned throughout their career is to "truly be interested" in people, their lives, and their goals, as too many miss out on opportunities by focusing on the next question instead of actively listening and responding in the moment. By genuinely hearing people's needs, "connecting the dots," and "paying it forward" through introductions, David has found tremendous benefit in building connections and delivering on promises.
College Experiences That Helped a Director of Business Development and Strategic Marketing at Mintz Succeed
David credits college involvement with building a "foundational network" that is still valuable today, specifically mentioning joining Delta Sigma Pi, a business fraternity where the career professional rose to president, and becoming a founding father of Lambda Chi Alpha. Getting to know professors, faculty, and student leaders during that time created connections that now allow the career professional to serve on the Capital Campaign committee for the alumni group and "give back to the school."
Advizer Personal Links
linkedin.com/in/davidpsalisbury
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