Business Development Manager

This is a great opportunity for a proactive and adaptable Business Development Manager to join the dynamic marketing and business development team of an independent law firm, synonymous with the highest quality legal advice and client service. From their London office, the firm advises individuals, families, businesses, financial services, educational and not-for-profit organisations on every aspect of the law, working with trusted professionals around the world to deliver a seamless international service. Clients value the firm's clear thinking, technical excellence and pragmatic, plain-speaking approach, particularly when facing complex and sensitive challenges.

The role sits within the firm's Businesses pillar, which focuses on clients with significant private capital, including private and family businesses, established entrepreneurs and professional services firms. Reporting to the Senior Business Development Manager and Head of Business Development, you will be responsible for the delivery of day-to-day business development and marketing activity across a range of sectors including energy and renewables, healthcare and life sciences, hotels and leisure, media and technology, retail and consumer, and sport.

Working closely with partners and senior stakeholders, the role will involve developing, implementing and maintaining strategic business development plans, ensuring activity is aligned with agreed priorities and delivers measurable outcomes. Maintaining oversight of budgets, assessing return on investment and reporting on activity, the role holder will support partners and fee earners in building and strengthening client relationships and key intermediary networks, proactively identifying opportunities to deepen existing relationships and generate new work.

The Business Development Manager will drive client targeting and market analysis initiatives, using insight to inform business development priorities. You will lead and coordinate pitches and tenders from initial opportunity assessment through to submission, including managing go/no-go decision-making, shaping compelling and consistent messaging and drafting and coordinating content.

On the marketing side, the successful applicant will coordinate and deliver campaigns, events and sponsorship activity and will be responsible for award submissions and legal directory entries. Close collaboration with the wider Marketing & Business Development team will be essential to ensure that content, digital activity and external communications are aligned with agreed objectives and support the firm's broader strategic goals. The role will also include the day-to-day management of a Business Development Executive and contribution to wider firmwide marketing and business development projects.

The ideal candidate will be a bright graduate or equivalent with substantial experience in business development and marketing gained within a professional services environment, with recent experience supporting Corporate or M&A practices. You will need a strong understanding of the full marketing and business development mix in a law firm context, the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, and confidence working with partners and senior stakeholders. Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential, as is experience delivering pitches, campaigns and directory submissions and managing junior team members. The Business Development Manager will be a collaborative and delivery-focused individual who is highly organised and able to hit the ground running.

Leighton Taylor promotes diversity, equality and fair treatment in all aspects of our work. It is our policy that as a provider of marketing and business development recruitment services, we will work to address existing inequalities, eliminate discrimination and promote equal opportunities and diversity. We translate this into all aspects of our everyday work as we believe that this diversity brings our clients and our community the greatest rewards.