Business Development Manager

Business Development Manager

Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Drive business growth and client engagement through strategic planning and collaboration.
  • Company: Dynamic professional services firm with a strong brand presence.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, career development opportunities, and a collaborative work environment.
  • Other info: Join a supportive team that values creativity and continuous improvement.
  • Why this job: Be a key player in shaping business strategies and enhancing client relationships.
  • Qualifications: 8+ years in business development with strong leadership and communication skills.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

The Marketing and Business Development team promotes and elevates the firm’s brand and acts as a strategic partner to attorneys and support departments. The group develops and executes integrated marketing and business development plans to grow market share, enhance client engagement, and increase partner visibility.

The Business Development Manager (BDM) serves as a trusted advisor to London partners, providing strategic, commercial, and practical business development and client support to achieve the firm’s objectives. The BDM collaborates with support teams across London, Europe, Asia, and the US to advance practice groups and strategic priorities.

Key Roles & Responsibilities
  • Collaborate with practice group partners and global teams to develop and implement business and client development plans for target clients, including budget planning, expense monitoring, and identifying joint initiatives to grow revenue and relationships.
  • Establish and maintain effective internal reporting and communication frameworks to track progress, share outcomes, and support management reporting across practice groups and affiliated teams.
  • Manage and drive the development of existing client relationships and pursuit of new engagements in collaboration with other relevant business support colleagues.
  • Develop expertise by commissioning and conducting business research to keep abreast of industry/market intelligence and to support the BD strategy.
  • Project manage the delivery of client, market and competitor research, and tailor the data for partner or client consumption and share insights from other offices for collaborative initiatives.
  • Monitor and identify market opportunities and themes for client engagement.
  • Drive pitching and new business generation by project managing and executing large pitches, proposals, and RFPs.
  • Maintain up-to-date pitch content, practice materials, client information and experience tracking.
  • Promote best practices and knowledge sharing across global business development and marketing teams.
  • Act as trusted advisor to lawyer teams to scope, prepare for both in-person meetings and pitches, and provide post-pitch client and target feedback.
  • Work with the marketing team and business support colleagues to deliver knowledge marketing, assess and advise on market conference opportunities, and coordinate submissions to league tables and awards panels.
  • Conduct strategic reviews and recommend industry conferences, partner speaking engagements, sponsorship opportunities, and related activities.
  • Plan and implement targeted client and industry events, sponsorships, and training programs.
  • Work closely with lead partners, other lawyers, and business support colleagues to oversee, execute and support complex projects.
  • Support the development of lawyer-facing BD training.
  • Manage and develop junior members of the business development team, fostering a culture of teamwork, accountability, continuous improvement, professionalism, and integrity.
Qualifications and Skills
  • Professional experience, including management of direct reports.
  • Minimum of eight years of experience in business development within a professional services firm or corporate environment.
  • Quickly able to establish credibility with lead partners and key stakeholders.
  • Work effectively and efficiently as a team player with an enthusiasm for developing relationships.
  • A confident leader and self-starter, when required, in a dynamic environment.
  • Commercially minded and solutions orientated.
  • Excellent organization, communication, and project management skills.
  • Attention to detail and accuracy in all aspects of role and responsibilities.
  • Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with all levels of lawyers and business professionals.
  • Able to set clear goals and priorities, multi-task and meet multiple deadlines.
  • Creative and flexible when managing individual as well as team’s workload and priorities.
  • Able to demonstrate creativity and initiative by continuously looking for areas to improve and ways to implement positive change.
  • Ability to thrive in a challenging and dynamic environment.

Business Development Manager employer: Ropes & Gray LLP

As a Business Development Manager in our London office, you will thrive in a dynamic and collaborative environment that values innovation and strategic thinking. We offer a supportive work culture that encourages professional growth through mentorship and training opportunities, alongside competitive benefits that promote work-life balance. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to enhancing client engagement and driving the firm's success on a global scale.

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Contact Details:

Ropes & Gray LLP Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager

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. You never know who might help you land that Business Development Manager role!

Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! When you get the chance to chat with someone from the firm, make sure to highlight your experience in managing client relationships and driving business growth. Share specific examples of how you've successfully collaborated with teams to achieve results.

Tip Number 3

Be proactive! If you see a job opening on our website, don’t just apply—follow up with a friendly email to express your enthusiasm. This shows initiative and can set you apart from other candidates. We love seeing candidates who take that extra step!

Tip Number 4

Prepare for interviews by researching the firm’s recent projects and initiatives. Be ready to discuss how your background aligns with their goals, especially in terms of enhancing client engagement and market visibility. Tailoring your conversation to their needs can really make an impact!

We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Manager

Business Development
Client Relationship Management
Strategic Planning
Project Management
Market Research
Proposal Development
Communication Skills

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 and how it aligns with our goals at StudySmarter. We want to see how you can contribute to our team!

Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share your successes! Use specific examples of how you've driven revenue growth or improved client engagement in previous roles. This will help us understand the impact you've made in your past positions.

Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and long-winded explanations. Make it easy for us to see why you're the perfect fit for the role!

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!

How to prepare for a job interview at Ropes & Gray LLP

Know Your Business Development Basics

Before the interview, brush up on key business development concepts and strategies. Understand how they apply to the legal sector, especially in terms of client engagement and market share growth. This will help you speak confidently about how you can contribute to the firm's objectives.

Showcase Your Project Management Skills

Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed projects in the past. Highlight your ability to coordinate teams, manage timelines, and drive results. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.

Demonstrate Your Collaborative Spirit

Since the role involves working closely with partners and support teams, prepare to share experiences where you've successfully collaborated across departments. Emphasise your communication skills and how you’ve built relationships to achieve common goals.

Prepare for Market Insights Discussion

Research current trends in the legal industry and be prepared to discuss how these could impact the firm’s business development strategy. Showing that you’re proactive about understanding the market will demonstrate your commitment and strategic thinking.