At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a new business development team and drive growth across Scotland.
- Company: Join a national law firm with a friendly, inclusive culture.
- Benefits: Generous holidays, flexible pension, and well-being initiatives.
- Other info: Opportunity to work flexibly and support community causes.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while building strong client relationships.
- Qualifications: Experience in senior business development and team leadership.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We are a national law firm with a local reach. Our legal experts are here for you. Whether it's personal or business, we understand that everyone's situation is different. But we're more than just a law firm – we're a team of people working together to help individuals and businesses navigate life's ups and downs. Working here you'll feel a part of our friendly and inclusive environment. We'll value you for who you are and what you bring. We support each other and push boundaries to achieve incredible things and make a real difference to our clients and communities. We're always looking to support our colleagues to work in a way that works best for them and everyone else, including our clients, the business and the regulators.
Your Role and What You'll Be Doing
We're looking for a Senior Business Development Manager to play a pivotal role in accelerating our growth and presence across Scotland. This is an exciting opportunity to build and lead a new Scotland-based BD team, working closely with senior Partners across our Business Services Group and Private Client Group. You’ll join a collaborative, high-performing national Business Development & Marketing function and have a significant impact on how we develop relationships, build our profile, and win new work across the Scottish market.
The Role
As our Senior Business Development Manager, you will act as a strategic adviser to our leading Partners in Scotland. You’ll shape and execute growth strategies, build strong external networks, and create a pipeline of new opportunities across key market areas. This role is ideal for someone who is forward-thinking, commercially driven, and passionate about creating meaningful client experiences.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Developing and delivering strategic BD plans that support growth across our Scottish business.
- Building, nurturing, and converting new business pipelines.
- Strengthening and deepening relationships with clients, referrers, and key intermediaries.
- Leading and developing a Scotland-based BD team, driving a high-performance culture.
- Working with Partners to spot opportunities across practice groups and business units.
- Actively engaging in the market; attending events, meeting clients, and identifying new opportunities.
- Leading key accounts and partnerships with clear, measurable action plans.
- Supporting bids and tender submissions alongside our dedicated Bids team.
- Managing accurate forecasting and supporting business cases for growth initiatives.
- Championing CRM usage to track engagement, identify risks, and support strategic decisions.
- Using dashboards, reporting, and data insights to measure ROI and performance against targets.
What We’re Looking For
- Significant experience in a senior business development role, ideally within professional or partnership-based services.
- A proactive, outward-facing approach with a strong track record of building trusted client and intermediary relationships.
- The ability to work independently while thriving in a collaborative, cross-functional environment.
- Strong strategic thinking, commercial acumen, and long-term planning capability.
- A natural ability to anticipate opportunities, think holistically, and influence senior stakeholders.
- A commitment to delivering exceptional client service.
- Strong data literacy and experience using insight to drive decisions and performance.
- A flexible, solutions-focused mindset with a willingness to challenge the status quo.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and influencing skills, including presenting to senior partners.
- Proven experience in leading and developing high-performing teams.
Our Benefits – What We Can Offer You
- 25 days holidays as standard plus bank holidays you can buy up to 35hrs of extra holiday.
- Generous and flexible pension schemes.
- Volunteering days – two days of volunteering every year for a cause of your choice (fully paid).
- Westfield Health membership, offering refunds on medical services alongside our Aviva Digital GP services.
- Wide range of well-being initiatives, including a Flexible by Choice hybrid working programme.
Irwin Mitchell LLP is an equal‑opportunity employer.
Senior Business Development Manager (6124) employer: IM LLP
Contact Detail:
IM LLP Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Business Development Manager (6124)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry events and connect with people in the legal sector. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for business development! When you meet potential employers, share your ideas on how you can help them grow. This proactive approach will make you stand out from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply – engage! When you find a role that excites you, reach out to current employees on LinkedIn. Ask about their experiences and express your enthusiasm for the position.
✨Tip Number 4
Keep your skills sharp! Stay updated on the latest trends in business development and legal services. This knowledge will not only boost your confidence but also impress potential employers.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Business Development Manager (6124)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Senior Business Development Manager. Highlight your experience in building relationships and developing strategies, as these are key for us. Don’t just list your jobs; show how you’ve made an impact!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re passionate about this role and how your skills align with our mission. Be genuine and let your personality come through – we love a bit of character!
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive growth and build networks. Use numbers and examples to back up your claims – we want to see the results of your hard work!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re keen and know how to navigate the digital space – a great skill for this role!
How to prepare for a job interview at IM LLP
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into the firm's values and recent achievements. Understand their approach to business development in Scotland and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. This shows you're genuinely interested and prepared.
✨Showcase Your Network
As a Senior Business Development Manager, your ability to build relationships is key. Be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully nurtured client relationships or developed new business pipelines in the past. Highlighting your network can set you apart.
✨Think Strategically
Come equipped with ideas on how you would develop and deliver strategic BD plans for the firm. Think about the Scottish market specifically and be ready to discuss how you would identify opportunities and drive growth. This demonstrates your forward-thinking mindset.
✨Engage with Confidence
During the interview, engage actively with your interviewers. Ask insightful questions about their current challenges and how they envision the role contributing to their success. This not only shows your interest but also your strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.