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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive strategic business development and lead initiatives for corporate practice teams.
- Company: Join a dynamic law firm committed to innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holiday, private healthcare, and more.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by winning new clients and shaping market strategies.
- Qualifications: Strong business development experience and excellent communication skills required.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The role sits within the Business Development & Marketing team but works very closely with the Corporate Practice and its three teams to ensure alignment on strategic priorities. It will have line management responsibility for one BD Assistant and will collaborate with other team members who provide expertise in business development, marketing communications, digital, and CRM support, ensuring a coordinated approach to delivering impactful initiatives across the firm.
Role responsibility
- Drive strategic business development for the three corporate practice teams (Corporate Transaction Services, IP & Commercial, and Employment & Immigration) by identifying growth opportunities, developing innovative initiatives, and presenting ideas to partners that support long-term practice development and market positioning, while also contributing to winning new clients and generating revenue.
- Lead the firmwide Retail & Leisure sector team in delivering strategically targeted and well-executed initiatives, including thought leadership generation (such as an annual Retail report), sector-focused campaigns and events, and targeted growth strategies aimed at winning new clients and strengthening market position.
- Build strong, credible relationships with Partners and practice/sector groups by demonstrating deep knowledge of the firm and its specialisms.
- Develop robust annual BD plans and budgets for Corporate Practice and Retail & Leisure, incorporating the full spectrum of BD and marketing activities, while identifying new market opportunities with existing clients, intermediaries, and prospects to drive growth and strengthen relationships.
- Provide coaching to Partners and Associates to help them focus on the right opportunities, develop marketing and selling skills, and move strategies into implementation and personal BD plans.
- Lead and continuously improve the firm’s approach to tenders, ad-hoc pitches, and credentials as part of the sales process, ensuring best practice is embedded to maximise win rates and overall success.
- Drive innovation in pitch strategy, messaging, and delivery to strengthen competitiveness and secure new business.
- Enhance the reputation of the BD team within the firm for professionalism and strategic value.
- Define and help shape the firm’s wider strategic specialisms by developing cross-firm initiatives, ensuring BD acts as the connector.
- Facilitate collaboration among BDMs to create a joined-up approach that maximises opportunities, drives cross-practice engagement, and supports the development of new client relationships.
- Support the BD & Marketing Director in leading agreed firmwide BD projects as required.
Leadership & Management
- Provide oversight and direction to the BD Assistant through coaching, mentoring, and development initiatives.
- Empower the BD Assistant to take responsibility for their goals; delegate tasks appropriately and maintain accountability.
- Maintain transparent communication through team meetings and one-to-ones.
- Take initiative to identify and address underperformance using appropriate channels.
About you
- Strong business development credentials, ideally gained within a law firm and with experience across the relevant practice areas/sector.
- Confidence and gravitas to influence and encourage best practice.
- Creativity, proactivity and enthusiasm - bringing new ideas to the table.
- Ability to spot opportunities early and deliver outcomes collaboratively.
- Excellent communication skills, able to present ideas clearly and persuasively across all levels.
- Strong writing skills for persuasive and succinct content.
- Proven track record in driving client development and delivering successful pitch and proposal strategies that have resulted in measurable growth and new business wins.
- Experience in developing and coaching junior colleagues and lawyers in developing personal BD plans.
- Proven experience in line management in a previous role.
- Team player who is relationship driven, analytical, tenacious, adaptable, ambitious and self-motivated.
- Educated to degree level and/or holding a Chartered Institute of Marketing qualification.
At Howard Kennedy we believe that everyone deserves the space to thrive. We’re committed to creating an inclusive recruitment experience that reflects the diversity of both our people and our clients. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and identities, and we’re committed to ensuring that our recruitment process is fair, transparent, and accessible to all.
We understand that every candidate’s needs are different. If there’s anything we can do to make your application journey more comfortable—whether for interviews, assessments, or onboarding—please let us know. We’ll work with you to remove any barriers and ensure our recruitment process is comfortable for you.
Contact our recruitment team to discuss any support you might need.
Benefits
- Competitive salary
- 25 days annual holiday
- Permanent Health Insurance
- Life Assurance
- Interest free Season Ticket Loan
- Private Healthcare
- Pension Scheme
- Staff Introductory Scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
Business Development Manager, Corporate in London employer: Howard Kennedy
Contact Detail:
Howard Kennedy Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager, Corporate in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts on LinkedIn. Remember, it’s all about building those relationships that can lead to opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Create content that highlights your knowledge in business development and the corporate sector. Whether it’s writing articles or sharing insights on social media, let your voice be heard. This not only positions you as a thought leader but also attracts attention from potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews like it’s game day! Research the company thoroughly, understand their values, and be ready to discuss how your skills align with their goals. Practice common interview questions and have your own questions ready to show your interest and engagement.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We want to see your application directly, so make sure you submit it through our platform. It shows initiative and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll be one step closer to joining our awesome team!
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Manager, Corporate in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Business Development Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in business development, especially within law firms, and showcase how your skills align with our strategic priorities.
Showcase Your Creativity: We love fresh ideas! When writing your application, don’t hesitate to share innovative initiatives you've led or contributed to in the past. This will demonstrate your proactive approach and creativity, which are key for this role.
Be Clear and Persuasive: Your written communication skills are crucial for this position. Ensure your application is clear, concise, and persuasive. Use strong examples to illustrate your achievements and how they’ve driven client development and new business wins.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows us you're serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Howard Kennedy
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the firm's corporate practice areas and their strategic priorities. Research recent initiatives, successes, and challenges they face. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves line management, be prepared to discuss your experience in coaching and mentoring others. Share specific examples of how you've empowered team members to achieve their goals and how you’ve handled underperformance. This will highlight your ability to lead effectively.
✨Be Ready to Pitch Ideas
Think of innovative business development strategies or campaigns you could propose during the interview. Presenting fresh ideas not only shows your creativity but also your proactive approach to driving growth. Make sure to align your suggestions with the firm's objectives.
✨Build Rapport
Establishing strong relationships is key in this role. Practice your communication skills and think about how you can connect with the interviewers. Be personable, listen actively, and engage in meaningful conversations to demonstrate your relationship-driven approach.
