Business Development Manager

Role and Responsibilities

* Support the development and delivery of firm-wide and departmental business development strategies, ensuring objectives align with overall growth plans.

* Work closely with partners and fee earners to identify and develop cross selling and upselling opportunities across practice areas.

* Support client relationship leads in managing key client relationships and driving growth within priority sectors.

* Assist partners and fee earners in maximising client opportunities through research, preparation of client intelligence, participation in meetings where appropriate, and opportunity tracking.

* Conduct market and competitor analysis to assess positioning, identify differentiation opportunities, and highlight areas for growth.

* Manage and support responses to tenders, bids, and proposals, including drafting, coordination, and submission.

* Develop and maintain best-practice proposal materials such as service descriptions, credentials, client and matter lists, and award summaries.

* Identify, coordinate, and evaluate speaking opportunities at conferences and seminars, supporting the development of compelling content.

* Track and report on business development activity across the firm to measure impact and inform future strategy.

* Collaborate with senior stakeholders to maximise business development opportunities and ensure a coordinated approach.

* Maintain accurate records of client interactions, referrals, and business development activity through the CRM system, and use CRM insights to support targeted campaigns.

* Monitor legal sector and business development trends, providing relevant insights and updates to senior stakeholders on developments that may impact the business.

* Work with colleagues across business development, marketing, and client experience functions to gather feedback and continually enhance services and client offerings.

* Manage and monitor business development expenditure, advising on effective use of budget to maximise return on investment.

* Act as a professional ambassador and key point of contact, representing the firm positively internally and externally.

* Comply with all relevant policies and procedures, including health and safety, IT, security, and equality and fair treatment.

* Demonstrate flexibility by undertaking additional reasonable tasks or projects as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

* Strong understanding of legal or professional services markets, with the ability to analyse market trends, client behaviour, and competitive positioning.

* Proven track record of meeting and exceeding performance indicators linked to growth and market share.

* Experience in a legal or professional services environment, or in a business development role within a commercial, service-led organisation.

* Demonstrable experience of managing and writing tenders, bids, and proposals.

* Excellent influencing and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage confidently at all levels.

* Proven ability to identify, develop, and convert business development opportunities.

* Self-motivated and capable of working independently with minimal supervision.

* Proactive, confident, and persuasive, with a professional and assertive approach.

* Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present information clearly and credibly to senior stakeholders and clients.

* Highly organised, collaborative, and professional in approach.

* Strong client focus, with the ability to build trust, credibility, and a positive internal reputation.

* Resilient under pressure, with experience delivering complex or high-profile projects to completion.

* Proficient in the use of CRM and business development systems, leveraging technology to manage, track, and enhance client and business development activity