Business Development Manager - Real Estate & Digital Infrastructure in London

Gibson Dunn is a leading global law firm, advising clients on significant transactions and disputes. Our exceptional teams craft and deploy creative legal strategies that are meticulously tailored to every matter, however complex or high-stakes. The firm’s work is distinguished by a unique combination of precision and vision.

Based in London, the Business Development Manager will work with practice leadership to shape and execute the London business development strategy – target clients, key relationship development, sector positioning and thought leadership. The role owns the practice’s presence at the sector’s principal events, notably MIPIM and the Datacloud Global Congress in Cannes, leads pitches, RFPs and panel submissions, and builds profile through industry conferences, trade associations and real estate media. The firm’s Real Estate practice advises on investment and development, acquisitions and dispositions, real estate finance, joint ventures, private real estate funds, construction and leasing. Growth is concentrated in digital infrastructure and data centers, alongside hospitality (hotels & leisure), and the London platform is being built out accordingly. This role reports to the Senior Manager of Business Development in London. The Business Development Manager will also partner with colleagues across the London and global Marketing & Business Development teams on cross-practice and cross-office initiatives. Support for other practices and lawyers will be assigned as needed.

Responsibilities include:

• Lead the overall business development and marketing efforts for the Real Estate practice and its related sectors, as well as providing support for individual partner business objectives.
• Lead and oversee preparation of pitches, RFPs, panel and framework submissions and other client facing materials including leading strategy sessions, internal debriefs and tracking outcomes.
• Spearhead the drafting and maintaining of practice-specific marketing materials and collateral including experience lists, asset class and sector credentials, and the collection of relevant matters.
• Support the practice's key client efforts across investors, developers, funds, lenders, operators and corporate occupiers, and work with colleagues to ensure the identification, development, and growth of high-value clients.
• Lead client teaming efforts for selected clients relevant to the practice, helping to coordinate strategies and execute action items to develop relationships.
• Lead client targeting initiatives to cross-pollenate relationships both within and outside the London real estate team – including with Funds, Tax, Finance, Restructuring – liaising with Business Development colleagues and lawyers globally.
• Own the practice's industry conference, sponsorship and membership strategy, including delegate selection, meeting programmes, the business rationale for participation and structured follow-up.
• Collaborate with functional managers on relevant visibility and speaking opportunities, communications, recognition, industry awards, directory participation and digital marketing initiatives, including engagement with real estate trade press.
• Contribute to the execution of seminars, events (with the events team), conference sponsorships and other targeted marketing activities, contributing strategically to invite lists and the business rationale behind such activities.
• Monitor and interpret real estate market activity, deal flow and sector trends to inform targeting, positioning and partner conversations.
• Act as a lead on additional related projects within the Department or Firm as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Exceptional professional interpersonal skills and the ability to interact with lawyers at varying levels including firm leadership.
• Strong written communication skills.
• Strong project management and time management skills.
• Solid understanding of the needs and expectations of law firms and the ability to work in an environment with shifting priorities and many constituents.
• Working knowledge of the real estate sector, its client base, market cycles and industry networks – or the demonstrable ability to acquire it quickly.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Exceptional in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Familiarity and comfort with AI tools including ChatGPT, Gemini, Co-Pilot and others.
• Outstanding problem-solving skills.
• Attention to detail.

Experience:

• University degree.
• 5-7 years of experience in professional services, legal preferred.
• 2+ years of line management experience preferred.
• Experience with strategic business development planning and pitching, with real estate or wider transactional knowledge preferred.

Gibson Dunn is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities. We strive to ensure an inclusive and accessible hiring experience. The Firm will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable participation in the application and recruitment process, unless doing so would impose an undue hardship, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.