The posting
Pay Range:
Miami, FL; Charlotte, NC; San Antonio, TX
$125,000 - $133,000
Dallas, TX; Fresno, CA; Buffalo, NY; Atlanta, GA
$133,000 - $140,000
Houston, TX; Johnston, RI; Minneapolis, MN
$135,000 - $143,000
Philadelphia, PA; Voorhees, NJ; Chicago, IL $141,000 – $149,000
Boston, MA; Los Angeles, CA; Central, NJ $147, 000 – $155,000
New York, NY; San Francisco, CA $157,000 – $166,000
Vice President, Mediation Practice Development
American Arbitration Association (AAA-ICDR)
POSITION SUMMARY
The American Arbitration Association (AAA-ICDR) is seeking a dynamic, results-oriented Vice President, Mediation Practice Development to help expand our mediation business, strengthen strategic relationships, and drive market growth within an assigned region.
This is an exciting opportunity for an accomplished business development professional who thrives on building relationships, identifying new opportunities, and developing innovative strategies to grow a business.
In this highly collaborative and externally focused role, you will work closely with AAA-ICDR's distinguished panel of mediators to strengthen their market presence, expand professional networks, and identify opportunities to grow their mediation practices. You will also develop relationships with attorneys, law firms, corporate counsel, members of the judiciary, and other influential professionals to increase awareness and utilization of AAA-ICDR mediation services.
The ideal candidate brings a strong foundation in business development, consultative sales, strategic partnerships, or professional services relationship management, along with the confidence to engage senior-level professionals and the ability to turn relationships into meaningful business opportunities.
Experience in mediation, alternative dispute resolution, or legal services is highly valued. However, we also welcome candidates with transferable business development experience, strong commercial instincts, and a demonstrated ability to build relationships in professional services environments.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Business Development & Market Expansion
- Develop and execute regional business development and practice growth strategies that increase awareness, visibility, and utilization of AAA-ICDR mediation services.
- Identify and pursue new market opportunities, referral relationships, strategic partnerships, and initiatives that support business growth.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with law firms, attorneys, corporate legal departments, mediators, and other key stakeholders.
- Partner with regional business development teams to identify client needs, strengthen referral networks, and expand mediation opportunities.
- Monitor market trends, competitive activity, emerging practice areas, and industry developments to identify opportunities for growth.
- Leverage market intelligence and business development insights to recommend strategies that strengthen AAA-ICDR's competitive position.
Mediator Relationship Management & Practice Development
- Develop trusted relationships with AAA-ICDR panel mediators, serving as a strategic resource to help strengthen their professional visibility and expand their mediation practices.
- Work collaboratively with mediators to identify growth opportunities, enhance professional positioning, and develop relationships that support increased mediation utilization.
- Proactively identify and cultivate relationships with established mediators and mediation practices that may be strong candidates for affiliation with AAA-ICDR.
- Coordinate with Panel Resources & Development and regional Vice Presidents to align mediator recruitment efforts with market priorities, panel needs, and organizational objectives.
- Gather market intelligence regarding prospective mediators, including professional reputation, practice strength, market presence, and potential strategic fit.
- Support initiatives that enhance the overall value, marketability, and utilization of AAA-ICDR's mediator panel.
Strategic Marketing & Professional Visibility
- Collaborate with Marketing to develop initiatives that elevate mediator profiles, strengthen professional positioning, and increase market awareness.
- Identify opportunities for mediators to participate in speaking engagements, industry conferences, bar association programs, CLE programs, webinars, podcasts, and professional publications.
- Support the development of thought leadership, digital content, professional biographies, and other marketing resources that highlight mediator expertise.
- Identify appropriate opportunities for professional recognition, industry affiliations, directories, and other channels that enhance mediator visibility.
- Represent AAA-ICDR at regional and national conferences, professional associations, industry forums, and networking events to strengthen relationships and promote mediation services.
Strategic Collaboration & Performance Management
- Collaborate with Marketing, Business Development, Panel Resources & Development, Operations, and regional leadership to implement coordinated practice development initiatives.
- Work closely with the counterpart Vice President, Mediation Practice Development, to share market intelligence, exchange best practices, and support consistent national strategies.
- Use CRM systems, market intelligence, and performance metrics to track business development activity, relationship engagement, mediator utilization, and program effectiveness.
- Evaluate results, identify areas for improvement, and recommend adjustments to maximize the impact of practice development initiatives.
- Maintain accurate records of prospective mediator relationships, business opportunities, outreach activities, and strategic initiatives.
- Develop and maintain a strong working knowledge of AAA-ICDR mediation services, rules, qualification standards, panel resources, and industry practices.
- Maintain regular, reliable, and predictable attendance and participate in required meetings and training sessions.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor's degree in business administration, marketing, communications, legal studies, or a related field required. JD or other advanced degree preferred but not required.
- Seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in alternative dispute resolution, legal services, professional services business development, mediation, sales, strategic partnerships, relationship management, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Ideally, 5–7 years of demonstrated experience in business development, consultative sales, strategic partnerships, account management, or professional services relationship management, with a track record of developing business opportunities and building long-term professional relationships.
- Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining relationships with senior attorneys, mediators, members of the judiciary, corporate counsel, business executives, and other senior-level professionals.
- Experience identifying market opportunities, developing business growth strategies, cultivating referral networks, or expanding client relationships.
- Experience in professional services practice development, legal services, consulting, or other relationship-driven business environments preferred.
- Knowledge of mediation, arbitration, or alternative dispute resolution is preferred but not required for candidates with strong transferable experience and demonstrated ability to learn a specialized industry.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
Business Development & Strategic Thinking
- Strong business development acumen, with the ability to identify opportunities, cultivate relationships, and execute strategies that generate measurable business results.
- Demonstrated success in consultative selling, relationship management, referral development, strategic partnerships, or professional services practice growth.
- Ability to assess market opportunities, understand client and professional needs, and develop practical strategies to support business expansion.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to use market intelligence, business data, and performance metrics to guide decisions.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with a proactive, creative, and results-oriented approach to business development.
Relationship Building & Communication
- Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to establish credibility and trust with accomplished professionals and senior-level decision-makers.
- Confidence engaging with attorneys, mediators, retired judges, corporate counsel, business executives, and other influential stakeholders.
- Established professional network within legal, ADR, professional services, or business communities, or demonstrated ability to develop such a network.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, presentation, networking, and public-speaking skills.
- Professional presence, sound judgment, and the ability to represent AAA-ICDR effectively in a variety of professional settings.
- Strong influencing, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement skills.
Execution & Collaboration
- Highly motivated, self-directed, and comfortable managing multiple relationships, markets, projects, and competing priorities.
- Strong organizational, planning, and project management abilities.
- Ability to collaborate across departments and build effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Adaptability and willingness to learn the mediation and dispute resolution industry.
- Ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive information.
- Proficiency with CRM systems, Microsoft Office, collaboration platforms, and business analytics tools.
- Ability and willingness to travel regionally and domestically approximately 30% to attend meetings, conferences, industry events, and other business activities.
WHY JOIN AAA-ICDR?
At the American Arbitration Association, you'll have the opportunity to contribute to the growth of mediation services while building relationships with accomplished professionals across the legal and business communities.
This role offers an opportunity to:
- Drive meaningful business growth: Develop and implement strategies that expand market opportunities and increase utilization of mediation services.
- Build influential professional relationships: Work directly with respected mediators, attorneys, corporate counsel, and business leaders.
- Make a strategic impact: Help shape regional practice development initiatives and contribute to broader organizational growth.
- Expand your professional expertise: Apply your business development skills while developing specialized knowledge of the legal and alternative dispute resolution industries.
- Collaborate with experienced professionals: Work across business development, marketing, operations, and leadership teams in a respected national organization.
- Take ownership of your success: Bring creativity, initiative, and strategic thinking to a role where your contributions can make a measurable difference.
The American Arbitration Association is an equal opportunity employer (EEO) and we value diversity in our workplace. We consider all employees and applicants for positions without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
