Business Development Manager
International Law Firm
Real Estate, Projects and Finance
12-month FTC
London
Hybrid working
My client is an ambitious international law firm with a clear growth strategy and a strong sector focus. Its culture gives people the opportunity to take ownership, work closely with senior stakeholders and contribute directly to the development of the business.
This is a broad, partner-facing role supporting the firm’s Real Estate, Rail, Projects and Finance practices. These groups advise clients across areas including major infrastructure, transport, energy, real estate investment and development, leveraged and sustainable finance, Islamic finance and restructuring.
Reporting to the Head of Business Development and supported by a dedicated Business Development Executive, you will work with partners to turn practice priorities into focused commercial activity. The role combines bids, client development, business planning, campaigns and market insight, with regular collaboration across the firm’s wider business development and marketing teams.
The international scope adds further breadth. While the Real Estate, Rail and Projects practices are primarily based in London, the Finance team operates across several international offices. This creates opportunities to work on cross-office initiatives and help connect the firm’s expertise across practices, sectors and regions.
Key responsibilities:
- Work with practice leaders and partners to develop and implement business development plans
- Lead complex bids and proposals involving multiple practices, offices and specialist teams
- Develop clear positioning and key messages for use across pitches and wider marketing activity
- Use client, market and competitor research to identify opportunities and inform commercial priorities
- Support the development of existing client relationships and contribute to the firm’s global key client programme
- Identify opportunities to connect clients with relevant expertise across the wider firm
- Develop campaigns and communications that raise the profile of the practices and their sector capabilities
- Manage legal directory and award submissions, including the coordination of partner and referee input
- Oversee client events, seminars, sponsorships and related communications
- Represent business development within practice group meetings, bringing relevant insight and maintaining momentum against agreed priorities
- Work closely with colleagues across client development, events, communications, digital marketing and international business development
About you
- You will have experience managing bids within a law firm or professional services environment, including submissions involving multiple practices or offices. Previous experience within a UK law firm would be useful but is not essential.
- You will be comfortable working directly with partners and able to bring commercial judgement, structure and pace to a varied workload. Strong writing and project management skills are important, as is the ability to influence senior stakeholders and challenge constructively where needed.
- You should also be confident using CRM and marketing technology. Experience of InterAction and Vuture would be beneficial.
The firm offers a competitive salary, private healthcare and dental cover, life assurance and a range of flexible benefits. Most roles operate on a hybrid basis, with colleagues dividing their time between the office and remote working. Other flexible working arrangements can be discussed during the recruitment process.
Employees can also access wellbeing support, family-friendly policies, technology and travel-related schemes, and one paid volunteering day each year.
Equal Opportunities
As a responsible business, it is important that we represent the diversity of our people, our clients and our communities. We believe that the firms that thrive are those with the most diverse team; that's why we work so hard to source the best talent from the broadest pool possible. As an equal opportunities employer we strive to accommodate anyone who may have specific needs. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the selection process, please talk to a member of the recruitment team so that any required adjustments can be made in advance.